Monday 11 June 2007

Quick Chicken Korma

Quick Chicken Korma

I really like Nigel Slater he has such passion for good food, and it's comforting to know that he likes cheap candy bars and the very best chocolate as well. I like how he writes and although I haven’t cooked a huge amount of his recipes I have all his books and enjoy reading them a lot. I hope he considers doing another Kitchen Diaries as it’s fun to dip in and out of it.
This korma is from his The 30 Minute Cook – The Best of The Worlds Quick Cooking. Now Nigel is the first to admit that quick and korma is a contradiction in terms, and it is – but this is just really good. I’m not too keen on anything too spicy, so korma with it’s subtle spicing and slight tingle is just my thing. Korma sauce and nan bread, yum! If you like things quite fiery you could use a strong chilli powder, I use mild – but that’s just me. I didn’t make the nan bread, if I had done it would have taken it out of the bracket of a quick weeknight supper, and that is really what this book is about for me. That said I would like to make my own nan bread one day but not today!

From the same book I also made his hoisin chicken with walnuts and mushrooms recently, but didn’t take a picture because although it tasted good it looked a bit brown! My little one liked the mushrooms in the sauce and kept asking for more mucky mushrooms, so I guess I made the right call in not taking the picture. This book is due for a serious re-read though, it was first published in 1994 when I bought it and I re-read it periodically. It’s the type of book to provide inspiration to a frazzled cook who wants something a bit interesting when short of time.

Here is Nigel’s korma if you fancy trying it. I forgot to sprinkle on the corriander, and also you can use 2 to 4 chicken breasts depending on the amount of sauce you would like.

Quick Korma
50g (2oz) butter
2 medium onions, sliced
3 large garlic cloves, finely sliced
4cm knob of fresh root ginger, peeled and grated
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom seeds from 6 green cardamom pods, lightly crushed
1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
1/2 teaspoon chilli powder
50g (2oz) shelled cashews or almonds
2 bay leaves
2 boned chicken breasts
5 fl oz 150ml yoghurt
5 fl oz 150ml double (heavy) cream
2 tablespoons chopped coriander leaves
Melt the butter in a deep, heavy bottomed casserole, add the onions, garlic and ginger and cook for about 5 minutes. If it’s not browning add a little oil. It is essential not to burn the butter. Add the spices, bay leaves and nuts and cook for around 3 minutes, stirring almost constantly. Cut the chicken into bite sized pieces. Add to the casserole and when it has coloured a little pour in 8 fl oz 225ml of boiling water. Season with salt and pepper and leave to simmer on a reasonably high heat till the chicken is tender (around 15 minutes).
Mix the yoghurt and cream together and stir into the chicken and spice mixture. Simmer, very gently, for 4-5 minutes. Don’t let it boil as it will curdle. Scatter over the coriander and serve with pilaf or bread. For 2, generously.

17 comments:

Amanda at Little Foodies said...

Okay I'll say it again. I wish you lived down the road... I could eat that right now and having made my own naan bread I'd buy it too :)) - I'm fine, apart from my toe, it's the males of the house. No stamina you know. Amanda x

MyKitchenInHalfCups said...

Some kind of quick is good and this looks like just right! Wish I could have a bite of this one Kelly-Jane.

Freya said...

I love Korma, it's my most favourite curry. Paul says its because I can't take the heat but I just love the sweet flavour of it!

Anna's kitchen table said...

That looks great KJ!

julie said...

Looks yummy!

I appreciate the fact that Nigel won't compromise on quality ingredients even in his "fast food" books! This one is on my to-read pile;-)

Kate said...

Looks great, I'm going to make it tonight as Tuesday is Curry Night in our house and I've got all the stuff in. I love Nigel but I don't have this book.
I'd love to have a go at the Pret Choc Bar as well - that looks amazing and I love the one they sell. Could you post the recipe some time?

Nora B. said...

Kelly-Jane, this recipe sounds great. I like the idea of "quick". My mom's korma recipe is too complicated, so this is perfect for me, and I have all the ingredients at home (except for the cream). Thank you!

Helene said...

I love chicken or lamb Korma and I am never happy with what I find her at the Indian restaurants so I am definelty going to give yours a try!

Kelly-Jane said...

Amanda, I often think that it'd be nice to live closer to a fellow foodie, all the different things we could try :)

Tannna and Anna, Thank you :)

Freya & Paul, You are right it must be the sweetness that appeals so much ;)

Julie, Nigel is a great read, hope you enjoy your pile!

Glossy, I really hope you liked it if you try it. Tootsievalentine on Nigella.com has beaten me to it and posted it for you already! My pic was a bit dark, but they were yummy.

Nora B and Helen, Hope it makes the mark!

KJxx

Anonymous said...

Korma was the first indian food I ever ate and it is still my favorite!

Kirsten said...

That looks delicious! I adore saucy curries with complex but not overtly spicy flavors and this looks great.

I also like the part about the chicken/mushroom brown recipe. I too have experiences making something great tasting but just so unphotogenic it's not blog-worthy. :)

Kathryn said...

Hi KJ,

I'm not that keen on korma because I find it sweet, but I like the look of yours. And I love Nigel:).

Anonymous said...

I love Indian curries but have never made one from scratch (shameful I know)...you've made this sound quite easy so I'll give it a try soon! :)

Anonymous said...

We had the most amazing Indian dinner one night cooking with friends and have wanted to get together again to try different dishes.

This dish sounds perfect. What a taste bud teasing combination of flavors!

Maggie said...

This is one of my favourite Saturday night recipes.

Lis said...

Mmmm sounds good and I like that it's quick =) I like things like this, will give it a try - thanks, sweetie!

Also.. that pavlova below? Awesome!!

xoxo

Anonymous said...

I could have sworn I replied to this one, but it looks like I didn't. This looks like a tasty dish... my kind because it seems quick and tasty!