Kuku Paka Kenyan Chicken Curry Recipes

KUKU PAKA (KENYAN CHICKEN CURRY)

Steps:

• Add the onion, chiles, ginger and garlic to a food processor or blender and process until smooth. Add a little water if necessary.
• Heat the oil or ghee in a large pot or wok over medium flame. Add the onion puree, curry powder and cumin and sauté, stirring frequently, for 5 to 8 minutes, or until cooked down. Stir in the tomatoes and simmer for 3 to 4 minutes. Then add the chicken, coconut milk, salt and pepper. Reduce heat to low and simmer, covered, until the chicken is cooked through and tender, anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour. Add more water as needed. Adjust salt and pepper, to taste.
• Stir in the cilantro. Serve with with rice or chapatti.
• Variations: For authentic flavor, grill the chicken pieces before stirring them into the simmering sauce. If you like, you can also use boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs.
• Some recipes add potatoes or hard-boiled eggs to the curry. The potatoes can be cooked ahead, cut into chunks and stirred into the curry toward the end.
• Eliminate the hot chiles for a milder dish. Or substitute a chopped sweet bell pepper.
• Reserve some of the coconut cream that gathers at the top of the can and stir it into the sauce at the very end for extra silky results.

A TASTE OF AFRICA - KENYAN CHICKEN CURRY

Steps:

• Combine half the ginger, half the garlic, half the turmeric, half the lemon juice and half the oil in a large bowl with ALL the cumin, garam masala, ground coriander, paprika, chilli flakes and yoghurt.
• Add the chicken, turn to coat in marinade.
• Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
• Preheat oven to very hot (220C/425F).
• Cook chicken in lightly oiled shallow flameproof baking dish, uncovered, 10 minutes.(With the marinade).
• Heat remaining oil in large saucepan, cook onion, chilli powder, fenugreek, remaining ginger, garlic and turmeric, stirring, until onion softens.
• Add tomatoes (with their juice), cinnamon, green chillies and remaining lemon juice.
• Simmer, covered, for 10 minutes.
• Stir in cream and honey, simmer, uncovered, for one minute.
• Add chicken to curry, simmer about 5 minutes or until chicken is cooked through.
• Remove from heat, stir in fresh coriander, serve over basmati rice, garnish with fresh coriander.