Iftar Recipe | Kapitan Chicken Curry

The delicious kapitan chicken curry is richer, thicker and drier standard of the chicken curry. It is a perfect iftar meal during Ramadan.

Ingredients
1 – whole chicken, cut into 10-12 pieces
4 tbsp – Peanut oil or vegetable oil
4 – Fresh kaffir lime leaves (one leaf = both segments), torn into quarters
2 cups – Water
Squeeze of lime juice
For the spice paste
15 – Shallots, peeled
4 cloves – Garlic, peeled and lightly crushed
3 stalks – Lemongrass (use the bottom white part only)
5 – Fresh red chilli peppers
10 – Dried red chillies, soaked in hot water for 10 minutes
1 1/2 inch – Fresh galangal
1/2 inch – Fresh turmeric
1/2 inch – Fresh ginger
3 – Candlenuts or macadamia nuts
1/4 tbsp – Belacan (fermented shrimp paste)
For the seasoning
1/4 tsp – Salt, or to taste
1/2 tbsp – Coconut sugar
2 tbsp – Coconut milk
Method
* Add all the spice paste ingredients into a food processor and blend to a fine paste.
* In a wok, heat up the oil. Then add in the blended spice paste and sauté for about 30 seconds. Then add in half of the quartered kaffir lime leaves, and sauté the spice paste for 2-3 minutes more until aromatic.
* Add in the chicken pieces and stir-fry for 1 minute, ensuring each chicken piece is well coated with the spice paste.
* Pour water in and bring it up to a boil. Then add in the rest of the quartered kaffir lime leaves, and lower the heat to medium-low.
* Stir and continue cooking the chicken for 20-25 minutes until the chicken is tender and gravy thickens. If the gravy gets too dry while cooking, you can add in a bit more water.
* Season with salt and sugar, and swirl in the coconut milk. Turn fire off when well combined.
* Dish out and garnish with whole kaffir lime leaves or shredded lime leaves (the shredded kaffir lime leaves can be eaten).
* Squeeze in some lime juice and serve hot with steamed rice, roti canai (Malaysian flatbread), roti jala (Malaysian net bread), or a baguette.
Notes:
* If you prefer more gravy in your kapitan chicken curry, feel free to add in more water and coconut milk.
* The leftovers will taste even better a day after.
Updated On 6/23/2017 3:05:35 PM