Trinidad Curry Powder Recipes

INDRA'S (MUMMY) TRINIDAD CURRY CHICKEN RECIPE

Steps:

• Make Green Seasoning: In a food processor or blender(or chop COARSELY by hand), mince scallion, cilantro/culantro, thyme, garlic and onion(not the reserved slices) and peppers. (You may choose not to add the onion to the blender but keep it sliced). Set aside 1 tablespoon of the Green Seasoning for the curry paste below.
• Prepare Chicken: Wash chicken with lemon juice, removing excess fat. Drain well. Season chicken with salt, pepper and the remainder of the Green Seasoning. Allow it to marinate for several hours or overnight(OPTIONAL).
• Make Curry Paste: In a small bowl, add 3-4 tablespoons curry powder, 4 tablespoons water and 1 tablespoon of the reserved Green Seasoning. Mix well. Set aside.
• In a heavy bottomed pot or dutch oven over medium heat, heat oil, add the reserved pieces of onions and pepper and cook until golden brown. Add curry mixture and cook until grainy and curry separates from the oil, stirring constantly and scraping bottom of pot to prevent it from sticking and burning, 3-5 minutes.
• Add seasoned chicken to pot. Stir to mix well. Add cumin, salt and pepper if you haven't already. If using potatoes, add now.
• Cover the pot and cook on medium heat until the meat has relinquished its juices and subsequently evaporates about 15-20 minutes, gently stirring every 5-7 minutes or so in a basting motion (pouring the pan juices over the chicken).
• When the liquid has evaporated, continue to stir fry for a few seconds(or up to 2 mins) allowing the flavors to develop and scraping the bottom of the pot with the spoon to prevent it from burning. Then add 2 cups of water.
• Bring to a boil, lower heat to medium, cover pot and cook until sauce has thickened about 5-10 minutes.
• Taste test for salt and add more if required. Enjoy with roti or rice.

DAD'S CURRIED CHICKEN

Steps:

• Place the chicken pieces in a bowl and toss with the lime juice. Drain, rinse the chicken with cold water, and drain again. Remove the chicken from the bowl and pat dry with paper towels.
• Place the chicken in another bowl with the Green Seasoning, salt, chili pepper, and garlic. Toss well to coat and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes but ideally overnight.
• Combine the curry powder with just enough water to form a thick paste. Heat the oil in a heavy-bottomed pot. Add the curry paste and onion. Cook, stirring constantly, for 1 to 2 minutes over medium-low heat-do not allow the curry to scorch. Add the chicken pieces and stir well to coat. Add the stock or water, cover, and simmer for 30 to 40 minutes, or until the chicken is tender.
• Remove the lid and simmer for 5 minutes more over medium-high heat, until the sauce reduces by one-third. Serve with roti or white rice.

DOUBLES

Steps:

• For the bara (or flatbread): Put the sugar and yeast in a medium bowl. Stir in the warm water and let it sit until bubbles begin to form, about 5 minutes.
• Stir to combine the flour, salt, cumin, black pepper and turmeric in a medium bowl. Add the water and yeast mixture to the flour and knead, using your hands or a mixer with a dough hook attachment, until the dough is smooth and glossy, about 2 1/2 minutes.
• Lightly oil a large bowl with cooking spray and place the dough in the bowl. Spray the dough and place plastic wrap directly on top of the dough, then add plastic wrap to the top of the bowl as well. Let the dough sit in a warm draft-free place until doubled in size, about 2 hours.
• Heat the oil to 350 degrees F in a large Dutch oven or cast-iron skillet. Turn the dough out onto a flour-dusted work surface. Working one at a time and keeping the unused portions covered, flatten a small ball of dough with a rolling pin to the thickness of 2 tortillas, about 4 inches.
• Working in batches, fry the flattened dough until puffed and golden, about 45 seconds per side. Drain on a paper-towel-lined plate. Transfer the baras to a plate and cover with plastic wrap to steam and keep warm.
• For the chickpeas: Meanwhile, heat the oil in a large skillet over low heat. Saute the onion, garlic, minced chile and a large pinch of kosher salt, about 10 minutes. Add the curry powder, allspice, cumin, nutmeg, paprika, black pepper, cayenne, bouillon cube, chickpeas and chicken broth. Bring to a simmer and cook until all the liquid has reduced, about 1 hour. Right before serving, season with salt and lime juice to taste.
• For the tamarind sauce: Add the sugar, tamarind paste and 1 cup water to a small pot over low heat. Warm until the tamarind paste has dissolved into the water, about 5 minutes. Remove and cool.
• For the pepper sauce: Put the habaneros, garlic, white balsamic vinegar and a pinch of salt in a blender and puree until smooth.
• For the cilantro sauce: Add the cilantro, white balsamic vinegar, and salt to a blender and puree until smooth.
• For the garnish: Toss the cucumber and cilantro in a bowl with a pinch of salt.
• To assemble: Place two baras slightly overlapping on a plate, then top with 2 to 3 spoons of chickpeas. Top with a little tamarind sauce, pepper sauce, cilantro sauce and grated cucumber and cilantro.

THE SECRET TO A TRINIDAD CURRY

Steps:

• Cut chicken into small pieces.
• Mix in the lime juice with your hands. Rinse the chicken with cold water and drain again.
• Pat dry with paper towels.
• Add green seasoning, salt and hot pepper.
• Marinate 30 minutes or preferably overnight.
• Mix curry powder with 1/4 cup water until smooth.
• Heat oil in an iron or heavy pot and add garlic.
• When garlic is fragrant add the curry paste mixture to hot oil and ('choonkay') or cook until all the water has evaporated, stirring constantly so that the curry does not scorch. This step is 'secret' for developing a nicely flavoured curry.
• Add chicken and stir to coat in curry. Add 1/2 to 1 cup of water so that the chicken is just covered by the water. Bring to a boil then lower heat to medium; cover and cook until meat is tender and sauce is reduced by one-third.(about 30 mins); add more water if more sauce is required. Sauce should be thick and not overly watery.
• Adjust salt and hot pepper.