Easy Chicken Curry

        Curries originated from India, no argument here. Though most Filipinos are hardly aware that there is a red curry apart from the yellow one. 

        I too, was disappointed, when back in my high school years I stumbled onto Time Life Magazine's library of Cuisines from Around the World. An entire volume was devoted to Indian cooking, and there it was, Murg Kari. Well, like most, I haven't tasted authentic Indian cooking yet, though I definitely would like to try their Tandoori Chicken and roti parathas. 

        I imagined that if any international dish ever found its way into a Filipino kitchen, it will somehow undergo Filipinizing. You see, most common households do not put salt and pepper shakers on the table. All seasoning is done on the stove top, except for Mami and Pansit Palabok, where it is customary to serve with ground black pepper, soy sauce and fish sauce.  Only dipping sauces are served on the table, namely soy sauce, ketchup or spiced vinegars. A dish is frowned upon when it is found wanting. Expect the cook to take the entire contents of the platter back to the stove and correct the seasonings, while the family members patiently wait for the improved version of the dish, and then everyone can eat.

         I was actually toying with the idea of encouraging fellow Filipino nutritionists to look into the plausibility of promoting Filipino food internationally for a skinny diet. You see, The Filipino diet may look carbohydrate-laden, what with all the rice, bread, potatoes and rice cakes. But obesity among our race is traceable to consumption of western fast food staples, and not our eastern diet. It's a long shot, but worth looking into, don't you think?

         Anyway we're making Chicken Curry Pinoy Style today. I was surprised to find my children requesting these for school lunches since last year. It's easy to put together and you can make it as spicy as you want. You may easily swap the same amount of pork or tuna fish anytime for variations. ( Pinoy is slang for Filipino )

Chicken Curry

Let's cook.

INGREDIENTS:

Curry ingredients

1 whole chicken breast, chopped into serving pieces ( around 2 cups )
1 large potato, cut into wedges
1 small onion, sliced
1 clove garlic, minced
1 thumb-sized ginger, sliced
1 red and 1 green bell pepper, seeded and sliced
1-3 T. green or yellow curry powder
1-2 T. Buco Coconut Cream powder or 1 cup coconut milk ( gata)
salt and pepper to taste

PROCEDURE:

1. Heat a teaspoon of oil in a pot. Place garlic, onions and ginger and cook until fragrant and toasty. 

2. Add chicken pieces and salt generously ( about a teaspoon or so of coarse salt), so the meats absorb the ginger flavor and won't taste bland against the sauce. Toss until the meats have turned white. Cover and let simmer in its own juices until it browns on its sides.

browning the chicken

3. Add 1 cup water or coconut milk, and potatoes. Cover and cook until potatoes are almost tender.

4. Add the carrots, curry powder and seasonings. If using water or chicken stock, add the Buco Coconut Cream powder at this point and bell peppers. Let boil.

5. Adjust the seasonings, adding more curry powder if you prefer it spicier. Add more coconut milk, if you want it milkier, with just a hint of curry for the elderly and toddlers. Always, taste as you go.

6. Serve hot as a stand alone viand with steamed rice.

Chicken Curry

NOTE: Curry packs a punch as a viand, and stands out among the dishes that Filipinos find on their restaurant menus as the only one having that distinct color, and spicy, but everyday appeal.

If you noticed, I have recommended at least three Filipino dishes as being ideal food for elderly people and toddlers. This is because we don't make separate baby food from the family's regular dishes.

I'm a firm believer of allowing babies to experience as wide a variety of textures and tastes as well as not shortchanging the elderly of exciting flavors just because they are older.

As a result, I have kids who eat whatever I set on the table. ( What mom would not want that?) and elderly parents who cannot complain. Bland food is not for Pinoys, young or old, better believe it!