Hello Everyone. I hope your Christmas and New Years were as heartwarming and fun as mine. I’ve been very quiet on this blog and on various social networking sites lately. However, I’ve been making a lot of noise and mess in the kitchen. This is the first time I’ve moved out of home and therefore I’ve been cooking up a storm trying to discover my favourite recipes for spaggy bol, lasagne and stir fries. Nothing too interesting to blog, but very important recipes for easy, tasty weeknight meals.
What are your favourite weeknight recipes?
I was overcome with a funny feeling a few nights ago. My dearest younger sister asked if she could stay with us for a few weeks while she worked nearby for a work project. I became very excited and realised that I really miss my sisters and parents. I miss their crazy, quirky, outrageous personalities. I also missed mum’s homecooking. Ca Ri Ga is one of my favourite things to eat and I love my mum’s version of it. She would sometimes use sweet potatoes or taro in place of the potatoes, just for something different. This recipe is very good, but it doesn’t have the nurturing feeling of a warm hug like my mother’s version. Perhaps nothing will ever measure up to the memories.
“This recipe is milder and lighter than Indian or Thai curries. Depending on your mood you can serve this with a warm crusty baguette (a french influence), steamed rice, or rice noodles.” – Mai Pham
Ingredients
3 tablespoons curry powder
1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
700g chicken wings, cut into wingettes and drumettes
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 tablespoon chopped brown onion
2 teaspoons minced garlic
3 tablespoons fish sauce
1 tablespoon rock sugar
2 lemongrass stalks, cut into 3-inch pieces and bruised with the flat side of a knife
3cm piece ginger, peeled, cut into 3 slices and bruised with the flat side of a knife
1 cup chicken stock
1 cup warm water
1 large carrot, peeled, cut on the diagonal pieces
400ml unsweetened coconut milk
1 brown onion, cut into wedges
2 medium desiree potatoes, peeled and cut into 2cm cubes
4-5 Vietnamese baguette rolls
a few sprigs of coriander or basil leaves
1. Combine 2 tablespoons of the curry powder and the salt in a large bowl. Add the chicken and turn to coat the meat evenly. Set aside for 30 minutes.
2. Heat the oil in a medium pot over moderate heat. Add the shallot, garlic and the remaining 1 tablespoon curry powder, and stir until fragrant, about 10 seconds.
3. Add the chicken and cook until the edges of the pieces are golden, 3 to 4 minutes.
4. Add the fish sauce, rock sugar, lemongrass, ginger, chicken stock and water. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat.
5. Add the carrot and potatoes, cook for 10 minutes
6. Add the coconut milk and onion, cook until the vegetables are tender, about 15 minutes
7. Transfer to a serving bowl and garnish.
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Comments
Conor @ Hold the Beef
January 17, 2011 at 1:24 amThere’s just something that always makes your Mum’s version of anything somehow better than when you make it, but my Mum has never made this so I think I’d be loving yours!
Helen (grabyourfork)
January 17, 2011 at 3:43 amHappy New Year. The curry looks great and congrats on moving out!
chocolatesuze
January 17, 2011 at 6:37 amwoot how goes the new place?? your curry looks awesome yum now im craving curry at its not even 7am!
joey@FoodiePop
January 17, 2011 at 8:21 amGreat recipe! Love using curry powder at the moment. have seen so many curry recipes lately too, in summer! 🙂
mademoiselle delicieuse
January 17, 2011 at 10:18 amHappy new year and hope the new abode is treating you both well!
Susan
January 17, 2011 at 11:55 amYum! I love curries in any form and will eat them at least once a week. Pastas and curries are definitely my easy weekday meals and also provide for lunch the next day which is extra good!
Richard Elliot
January 17, 2011 at 1:37 pmThe recipe looks great! I’ll have to try it as you vey kindly gave me a copy of this book.
I’ve made the BBQ Five Spice chicken a couple of times and it is delicious!
JT @areyouhungary
January 18, 2011 at 9:07 amHow wonderful to have your own kitchen now, congrats! I sometimes miss the chaos of my family home but also fondly remember discovering my own favourite recipies for weeknight favourites! We often resort to a penne arribiatta or for summer, fish tacos, both require very little skill and/or finesse; plus there’s always bolognaise in the freezer.
anh
January 18, 2011 at 10:01 amsoo delicious!
And thanks for the links to Mai Pham’s cookbook. I’m a big fan of her 🙂
Vivienne
January 18, 2011 at 7:29 pmwow have no idea theres a viet version of curry too!
looks great..love that pic of the chopping board and lemongrass!
angie
January 18, 2011 at 8:59 pmI LOVE mum’s ca ri ga =) I don’t think mine will ever be as good wheneever I get around to making my own. But why bother while I still have the luxury of living at home hey =D Mum usually uses a mix of both regular potato and sweet potato too.
sweetlife
January 19, 2011 at 2:10 amhow fun to have your sis satying with you, oh makes me miss my sisters’..moms really do make the best meals, I love your ca ri ga look amazing, glad your cooking up a storm in your new abode!
john@heneedsfood
January 21, 2011 at 5:30 pmI adore Vietnamese curries so I’m definitely giving this one a go. Looks beautiful!
MaryMoh
January 21, 2011 at 10:21 pmOooh…curry! It’s my favourite, especially with rice or paratha. I love with potatoes added.
Katherine
January 22, 2011 at 9:15 pmI do like a good curry. Your Chicken Curry looks delicious. Oh I would totally down 2 of those breadrolls soaking up the juicy. Yum..
cityhippyfarmgirl
January 24, 2011 at 9:15 amLooks good Amy! I love a good curry.
mashi
January 24, 2011 at 11:35 amCongrats on moving out dear! Sounds like you’re settling in well and that curry looks fantastic. I’ve had this once at a friend’s place and it’s so light and yummy. Will give this a go too.
Cookie
January 25, 2011 at 11:23 amHi there
I am a huge fan of yours and love this curry. Am curious to know what your first cookbook was? Care to comment?
I know you are super busy but I’d love to know what your first cookbook was. If you have time would you like to comment?
Best
http://cookmybooks.com.au/2011/01/24/what-was-your-first-cookbook/
GourmetGetaways
January 29, 2011 at 6:52 amThat curry looks amazing, i am so pleased you showed us the brand of spice powder you use because I can almost smell the curry cooking now.
🙂
pigpigscorner
January 31, 2011 at 10:21 amI’ve never tried Viet curry asn I tend to have only pho. Looks and sounds great!