Tuesday, December 17, 2013

Earnest

Chicken Curry

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Curry powder, one of my fav spices, invokes some fond memories. I made curry rice quite often when my husband and I were young(er). It’s easy and satisfying. And then we always had left over for the next day or two…so budget friendly!

Now we have a little more dough in our wallet than newly weds so curry rice is not on the weekly menu anymore though it reigns over my comfort foods list.

The book ‘MEAT, Naturally (やっぱり肉)’ , another gift that my son and his wife sent me, has unbelievable array of meat recipes. One of the recipes with the photo of Chicken Curry, was so attractive that I jumped into action. I wore goggles and start mincing three onions like a mad scientist, I mean woman. I didn’t realize that I had to sauté onion for 50 minutes. I was stuck in the kitchen for the next 4 hours. My plan of the day – Christmas shopping,  was cancelled. However, there was an upside, we had plenty of left overs and it tasted even better the next day. _DSC2247

Ingredients and instruction for 4-6 servings_DSC2168

  • Vegetable oil 1-1/2 Tablespoons
  • 3 Medium sized onion minced
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  • 2-3 cloves of garlic minced
  • 1/2 (about) ginger roots minced  
  • Bone-in, skin-on chicken thigh 4-6
  • Seasoning for chicken –  1 teaspoon of salt, 1Tablespoon each of curry powder and lemon juice; mix in a large bowl.   
  • 4 ripe tomatoes, cut off stems.
  • Spice mix – 1/2 teaspoon each of Coriander powder, cayenne pepper and cardamom powder plus 3 to 4 tablespoons of curry powder; combine in small bowl.
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • 1 cup water
  • Salt 1/2 teaspoon
  • Sliced almonds lightly toasted
  • Hot cooked rice
  1. Heat vegetable oil in large pot at medium heat. Add minced onion, garlic and ginger roots and sauté until onion is wilted and transparent. Set the heat to lowest then cover with lid. Stir every 5 minutes until onion develops a deep brown color –approximately 40 to 50 minutes._DSC2179_DSC2204
  2. Mean while prepare chicken – cut chicken in half if so desired then put in the prepared seasoning bowl, rub to coat entire chicken. Set aside._DSC2192
  3. Prepare ice bath for tomatoes. Boil plenty of water in pan then submerge the  tomatoes in hot water for a minute or so, drop into icy bath. Peel the skin and dice small. Note: if you like to remove seeds – cut peeled tomatoes in half and scoop out seeds with small spoon before dicing the tomatoes.
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  4. Heat a large skillet and lay the chicken skin side down and brown. Use a lid one size smaller than skillet to press chicken for even browning. Flip to other side to brown.
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  5. Add browned chicken into caramelized onion pan. Add spice mix, bay leaf and cinnamon stick. Add tomatoes and water then cover and simmer for about 40 minutes. Add salt to taste. Discard bay leaf and cinnamon stick.
  6. Spoon the curry sauce over hot cooked rice, sprinkle with almonds. Serve hot!_DSC2219Tomatoes make this curry fruity and surprisingly light. Chicken was so tender that it comes off from the bone without any effort. I love this and other curry!

 

As with many of you, I had a busy week. I made a second visit to a recently acquainted Japanese lady in the nursing home. I plan to visit her again this week but not empty handed. I made a trial run for Japanese pastries with a new mold, a souvenir from friend just returned from Japan. Lucky symbols of red snapper and welcoming cats are rather small, I could eat the whole thing in one sitting…that was not very good move.  IMG_0730

And yet again my painting buddy beat me to Christmas gift exchange this year. Some people are so organized they are done with shopping. I panicked but  I graciously accepted her gift - the beautiful bouquet of roses and hand made necklace. _DSC2220 

Warming up a notch yet still cold. Morning frost and even some light snow.IMG_0728IMG_0725Sheep seem to not be affected. Right, they are made of  pure wool.IMG_0719

Early Christmas cake – chocolate raspberry rolled cake..bûche de Noël style_DSC2228I did good job on the bark, no? I can almost hear the Christmas song…Noel, noel…actually that was my Christmas CD playing…Ho ho ho who wouldn't go…What is your favorite Christmas song?._DSC2239

 What a blessing to have you visit my humble blog and I’m grateful for your kind comments. Although this post is the final chapter of this year, stay tuned for new recipes starting mid January. Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Stay warm or stay cool!

21 comments:

  1. Yes, you did a very good job on your log cake! Certainly looks so yummy and much better than the logs we have in our house which is just suitable for the burner:) I also want to thank you for sharing your wonderful blog postings this year...I have greatly enjoyed your creativity & talent, your sense of humour...and I will definitely look forward to next year's:) Wishing you and your family a happy holiday and the best of the new year!

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    1. Thank you so much Annie. I'm wishing you're happy holidays too!

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  2. The bark look perfect indeed! The chicken curry and the tiny snacks too. I wish I could make a quick trip just ot your kitchen... I would be in heaven! I also have an Indian cookery book, where frying the onions takes a lot of time, but it's definitely worth the effort, isn't it?
    By the way, I am putting down the fish and cat mould for my next trip to Japan. The shopping list gets longer every time I go there...
    Merry Christmas, Nipponnin, and a Happy New Year! Have wonderful delicious time with your family! I am looking forward to reading your cooking adventures in 2014! I am also very glad to have met you this year.

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    1. Thank you Sissi! I'm so glad to find your site.

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  3. Great job on the yule log... it looks like a real cross-section of a log with the bark so perfectly done!!

    I love that you put some goggles next to the onion. Do you really use them? Do you find it helps? I always find even if I do something like that the onion vapour gets into the air and as soon as you remove them then it goes straight into your eyes!

    Nice looking curry too - nice warming dish for this season :) Merry Christmas!

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    1. I do use goggle when I chop large amount of onion. It works for me. I didn't use it when I was wearing contact lenses but since I had Lasik, I definitely need it... you look very tall and the distance between your eyes and cutting board is far so you're safe, ha ha ha. I hope you are having great holidays. Thank you for your comment.

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  4. A beautiful Yule log and mouthwatering curry! Wonderfully festive.

    Happy Holidays and best wishes for 2014!

    Cheers,

    Rosa

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    1. Thank you so much Rosa. Wishing you very happy holidays!

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  5. Beautiful curry and beautiful log, beautifully photographed. Happy Holidays, Akemi!

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    1. Thank you Jalna. It always fun to visit your blog. And I love your dog!

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  6. May your life be colorful magnificent,shimmering and Joyful, As the magic of Christmas spreads on you Merry Christmas.

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    1. Thank you very much. You're so kind. I enjoyed your Yokohama post very much.

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  7. That curry dish looks delicious -- so comforting! And I LOVE that fish mold!

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    1. Thank you! I have to try one of your desserts! All look wonderful!

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  8. I know it's late, but I still want to wish you a happy new year :)! As usual your foods always look so delicious, and the lucky cats and the fishies are just sooo adorable...!!!

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  9. 全部おいしそう!!!!チキン、めっちゃくちゃおいしそう。昨日カレーライスを食べたけど(チキン入り)、今これ食べたい!それから、クリスマスケーキ、すっばらしい!さすが明美さん。やっぱり私のお料理の先生になって欲しいーーーー!たい焼きのMoldはレンジでチンするやつですか?オーブンのだったら欲しいなぁ・・・・。

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  10. A scrumptious looking curry! Wonderfully comforting.

    Happy New Year and best wishes 2014!

    Cheers,

    Rosa

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  11. I love the look of this curry and will give it a try soon. Happy New Year!

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