Singapore Style Nyonya Curry Recipes

SINGAPORE-STYLE NYONYA CURRY

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Put 200ml water and the curry paste in a large ovenproof saucepan. Stir and bring to a gentle simmer over a low heat until the mixture is fragrant.
• Add the chicken, potatoes, carrots and onion, season and stir well to combine. Turn up the heat to medium and bring to the boil, stir in the coconut milk, then bring back to the boil. Remove from the heat, cover the pan and transfer to the oven to cook for 1 hr 15 mins, removing the lid after 45 mins, or until the veg is tender but not quite falling apart, and the chicken is cooked through. The curry should have a broth-like consistency. Check for seasoning.
• Serve in shallow bowls over rice, with some naan breads on the side, if you like. Will keep covered in the fridge for up to two days.

VIOLET OON'S SINGAPORE CHICKEN CURRY

Steps:

• Using a mortar and pestle, pound, in this order, the ginger, the garlic and the shallots until they are fine. The ingredients may also be finely ground in the container of a blender or food processor.
• Mix the curry powder with one-half cup water and blend to a paste. Mix half the curry paste with the pounded ginger, garlic and shallot mixture, and rub all over the chicken pieces. Marinate at least one-half hour.
• Heat the oil in a wok or large frying pan over high heat. The oil should be very hot. Add remaining curry paste and fry for three to four minutes, or until paste is fragrant and turns a rich, dark brown.
• Add the marinated chicken and reduce heat to medium, stirring constantly for about 10 minutes, or until spices are cooked.
• Add the coconut milk and bring to a boil over high heat. Add potatoes and salt, and cook over medium heat for 30 minutes, or until chicken is tender and potatoes cooked. Note that this dish is better the second day. If the curry will be reheated later, slightly undercook at this stage so that the potatoes do not become mushy. Traditionally, this dish is served with fresh hot French bread for soaking up the thick gravy.

SINGAPOREAN CHICKEN CURRY

Steps:

• Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels and combine with the lime juice, 1 tablespoon garlic, 1 tablespoon ginger, 1½ teaspoons white pepper, and 1 ½ teaspoons salt in a large bowl. Mix well, cover and refrigerate for 40 minutes.
• In a large wok or Dutch oven, heat the ghee over medium-high. When the ghee is hot and shimmering, wipe the marinade off the chicken and add the chicken in a single layer. Sear until light golden brown, 3 to 4 minutes on each side. Remove the chicken to a plate and set aside.
• Reduce the heat to medium-low and add the onion, remaining 1 tablespoon garlic and 1 tablespoon ginger. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion is soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the cinnamon, cardamom, star anise and cloves, and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the pandan leaves, chile powder, ground coriander, ground turmeric, ground fennel and remaining 1 teaspoon white pepper, and stir until it smells lovely, about 10 seconds.
• Add the chicken and stir until it is completely coated with the aromatics. Pour in the chicken broth, and bring the mixture to a near boil. Reduce the heat to low, cover and gently simmer until the chicken is tender and cooked through, 15 to 18 minutes. Stir in the coconut milk and simmer briskly to concentrate the flavors, 5 to 8 minutes. Add salt to taste. Turn off the heat and use the curry to prepare nasi biryani.