Kaffir Coconut Stew Recipes

THAI FISH CURRY

Steps:

• Cut the fish into large 2-inch chunks, pat dry and place in a bowl. Season with salt, lime zest from one lime and 1 tablespoon lime juice, and massage lightly to coat. Set aside.
• In an extra-large saute pan, heat the coconut oil over medium heat. Add the shallots and saute until golden, about 4 minutes. Add the garlic, lemongrass and fresh chilies. Saute 3-4 more minutes, until fragrant. Turn heat to low. Grate the ginger and turmeric and add the Thai Curry paste if using, saute 1 minute. Add the chicken stock, kaffir lime leaves , salt, carrots and bell pepper. Cover, bring to a simmer and simmer gently for 5 minutes until the carrots are tender.
• Once tender, stir in the coconut milk and fish sauce, and a generous squeeze of lime juice- start with half a lime, add more to taste.
• Taste it- coconut broth should be salty, lime-y and a little spicy- and adjust to your taste. Add more fish sauce, Thai Curry paste, garlic chili paste, be bold here -keeping in mind all the flavors will mellow out with the addition of the fish, veggies and with it being served over rice.
• Nestle in the fish, and quick cooking veggies. Simmer gently over medium low heat, spooning the coconut broth over the top, or turning the fish over after the bottom half is cooked and becomes opaque, about 3 -4 minutes. You can also place this in a warm 350F oven to fish cooking.
• Garnish with basil or Thai basil, or cilantro and lime wedges.
• Serve over rice or cauliflower rice.

SPICED CHICKPEA STEW WITH COCONUT AND TURMERIC

Steps:

• Heat 1/4 cup oil in a large pot over medium. Add garlic, onion and ginger. Season with salt and pepper, and cook, stirring occasionally until onion is translucent and starts to brown a little at the edges, 3 to 5 minutes.
• Add 1 1/2 teaspoons turmeric, 1 teaspoon red-pepper flakes, and the chickpeas, and season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring frequently, so the chickpeas sizzle and fry a bit in the spices and oil, until they've started to break down and get a little browned and crisp, 8 to 10 minutes. Remove about a cup of chickpeas and set aside for garnish.
• Using a wooden spoon or spatula, further crush the remaining chickpeas slightly to release their starchy insides. (This will help thicken the stew.) Add coconut milk and stock, and season with salt and pepper.
• Bring to a simmer, scraping up any bits that have formed on the bottom of the pot. Cook, stirring occasionally, until stew has thickened, 30 to 35 minutes. (Taste a chickpea or two, not just the liquid, to make sure they have simmered long enough to be as delicious as possible.) If after 30 to 35 minutes, you want the stew a bit thicker, keep simmering until you've reached your desired consistency. Determining perfect stew thickness is a personal journey!
• Add greens and stir, making sure they're submerged in the liquid. Cook until they wilt and soften, 3 to 7 minutes, depending on what you're using. (Swiss chard and spinach will wilt and soften much faster than kale or collard greens.) Season again with salt and pepper.
• Divide among bowls and top with mint, reserved chickpeas, a sprinkle of red-pepper flakes and a good drizzle of olive oil. Serve alongside yogurt and toasted pita if using; dust the yogurt with turmeric if you'd like.

SPICY HAWAIIAN FISH STEW WITH CREAMY 'POI'

Steps:

• Season the fish with salt and pepper. In a stockpot coated with oil, sear the fish. Add the habaneros, onions, garlic, ginger, tomatoes, thyme, bay leaves, and kaffir leaves. Cover with water, check for seasoning and bring to a simmer. Simmer for 1 hour.
• Squeeze in lime juice and gai choy right before serving. Check for seasoning. To make the poi, heat the cream with the garlic and ginger and reduce by 20 percent. Add the hot taro and mash together smooth. Season and check for flavor.
• Place a mound of poi in the middle of a large pasta bowl. Top off with lots of the fish stew. Garnish with scallions.
• Beverage: Lillikoi Hawaiian Beer.

COCONUT-KAFFIR LEAF POACHED HALIBUT WITH SAUTEED CHINESE CABBAGE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 250 degrees F
• In a small pot, over medium heat, heat the coconut milk along with the lemon grass and kaffir leaves and bring to just a boil. Remove from heat and let steep for 30 minutes, strain. Reheat liquid over medium-high heat, add the lemon juice and place the halibut in the middle of the liquid to poach. Cover with a parchment lid and poach in the oven until just beginning to flake. Remove from the oven and set aside.
• In a large saute pan, over high heat, add the oil. When oil is hot, add the cabbage and saute until hot throughout. Add the vinegar, mirin and reduce. The cabbage will collapse and the liquid will evaporate. At this point add the sesame seeds and season with salt and pepper, to taste.
• In a hot bowl add the cabbage first, top with the halibut and then the sauce.

HERB CHICKEN STEW

Steps:

• In a bowl, mix together the flour and paprika and dredge the chicken in the flour. Shake off excess flour. In a stock pot on high heat, coat with canola oil and brown the chicken. Season with salt and pepper and remove the chicken. In the same pot, brown the onions, carrots and celery. Season. Add the potatoes, thyme, basil, oregano, ginger, garlic, fennel, soy, and stock. Bring to a simmer. Return the chicken to the pan. Cook until chicken is cooked, potatoes are tender, and stock is reduced by 15 to 20 percent, about 30 to 45 minutes. Check for seasoning.
• PLATING: Serve in large pasta bowls with crusty bread.
• BEVERAGE: Pinot noir

COCONUT LIME CHICKEN STEW

Steps:

• For the chicken: In a large bowl, stir together the lime juice, orange juice, cilantro, garlic and chile peppers along with a pinch of salt and some pepper (you are basically making a ceviche mixture). Add the chicken and stir together. Cover and refrigerate.
• For the stew: Bring a pot of water to a simmer and add salt. Simmer the potatoes until tender, 15 minutes. Drain and set aside.
• In a 6- to 8-quart stainless steel pot, heat the oil over medium-high heat for 2 to 3 minutes. Add the onions, mushrooms, carrots and scallions and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions are softened and browning slightly. Add 2 1/2 cups chicken stock, the lime juice and the potatoes and bring to a boil. Boil vigorously 5 minutes, then lower to a simmer and add the chicken ceviche mixture, the tomatoes, coconut milk, brown sugar, curry powder and the remaining 2 1/2 cups chicken stock. Bring to a simmer and cook over medium-low, stirring occasionally, about 30 minutes. Taste and adjust with additional salt and pepper as needed. You may add more brown sugar, 1 teaspoon at a time, to deepen the flavor or knock down any acidity, but don't go too far!
• Serve with chips and cilantro.