Xim Xim De Galinha Recipes

XIM XIM DE GALINHA

Steps:

• Peel and finely slice the onions, garlic and ginger, then finely chop the chilli. Pick the coriander and parsley leaves and set aside, then finely slice the stalks. Halve and deseed the peppers and cut into thin strips.
• Place a large casserole or saucepan over a medium-low heat and add 2 tablespoons of oil. Add the chopped veg and sliced herb stalks and sauté for 10 minutes, or until softened but not coloured.
• Meanwhile, chop the tomatoes, then blitz with the dried shrimp in a food processor until it forms a paste.
• Cut the chicken into 1cm strips, then add to the pan. Turn up the heat slightly and fry for 2 to 3 minutes.
• Add the tomato and shrimp paste, paprika and a good pinch of sea salt and black pepper. Fry for 3 to 4 minutes before adding the tinned tomatoes and coconut milk. Stir it all together, breaking up the tomatoes with the back of the spoon, then gently bring the stew to the boil.
• As soon as it starts to bubble, pop a lid on the pan - leaving it slightly ajar - and reduce the heat to low. Leave it to tick away for around 25 minutes, or until the chicken is tender and everything is rich and reduced slightly.
• Cook the rice according to the packet instructions. Roughly chop the cashews, peanuts and herb leaves.
• Once the xim xim is ready, stir through the nuts and herbs, and serve up the stew alongside the steaming hot rice.

XIM-XIM DE GALINHA

Steps:

• Marinate the chicken in the lemon juice, salt, and pepper for half an hour.
• Grind the dried shrimp in a food processor with the onion and tomatoes into a thick paste.
• In a large saucepan, heat the oil over medium heat; add the garlic and cook, stirring, until browned. Add the onion, tomato, and shrimp paste and the drained chicken pieces.
• Brown the chicken pieces on all sides, then add 1/4 cup of the water bit by bit, cover the pot, reduce the heat to low, and cook for 35 to 40 minutes, or until the chicken is almost cooked. Be sure that the mixture does not boil and stir occasionally so that the chicken pieces do not stick to the pan.
• Add the jumbo shrimp, malagueta peppers, and ground nuts. Check the seasonings. Add the ginger and remaining water and finish cooking by bringing the mixture to a boil.
• When ready to serve, drizzle the Dende oil over the xim-xim and cook for a few more minutes. In lieu of Dende oil, you can use a mixture of 1 cup vegetable oil and 3 tablespoons annatto seeds that has soaked for 12 hours.

BAHIAN CHICKEN AND SHRIMP STEW

Steps:

• Whisk together 2 tablespoons olive oil, 2 tablespoons lime juice, half of garlic, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper in a large bowl. Add chicken and toss to coat, then marinate, chilled, 30 minutes.
• Whisk together 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 tablespoon lime juice, remaining garlic, and remaining 1/4 teaspoon pepper in another bowl. Add peeled shrimp and toss to coat, then marinate, covered and chilled, until ready to use (not more than 1 hour).
• Meanwhile, grind dried shrimp in grinder until very fluffy, about 1 minute. Pulse peanuts and cashews separately, in small batches, in a food processor, until finely ground (do not grind to a paste).
• Remove chicken from marinade and pat dry. Heat remaining tablespoon olive oil in a 5- to 6-quart wide heavy pot over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking, then, starting skin sides down, brown chicken, in batches if necessary, turning over once, about 6 minutes total per batch, transferring to a large plate. Add onions and bell pepper to pot and sauté, stirring occasionally and scraping up brown bits (from chicken), until onions are golden, 6 to 8 minutes. Add tomatoes and malagueta peppers or Thai chiles and cook, stirring occasionally, until tomatoes begin to break down, about 3 minutes. Stir in stock and bring to a simmer. Add chicken, along with juices accumulated on plate, and simmer, covered, until chicken is cooked through, 25 to 30 minutes.
• Stir in ground shrimp and ground nuts and return to a simmer. Toss marinated shrimp with remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt and add to stew along with marinade. Simmer until shrimp are just cooked through, 3 to 4 minutes.
• Stir in coconut milk, cilantro, remaining tablespoon lime juice, and dendê oil (if using).
• *Available at Asian markets.
• **Available at some Latino markets.
• ***Available at some Lantino markets and sendexnet.com.