Chicken Aku Paku

Submitted by MarraMamba

"Paul Merret's version of a dish from zanzibar."

 

• Ready In: 2hrs 20mins
• Ingredients: 16
• Serves: 2-4

ingredients

• 2 tablespoons peanut oil
• 1 large chicken, jointed
• 2 onions, finely chopped
• 3 garlic cloves, crushed
• 3 green tomatoes, roughly chopped
• 1 fresh green chile, chopped
• 1⁄2 teaspoon ground turmeric
• 1⁄2 teaspoon cumin seed
• 1⁄2 teaspoon coriander seed
• 4 cardamom pods
• 300 ml chicken stock
• 2 (400 ml) cans coconut milk

• To serve

• 2 tablespoons coconut cream
• 1 bunch basil leaves
• 1⁄2 cup green beans, blanched
• steamed rice

directions

1. Heat the oil in a large pan and fry the chicken pieces for 2-3 minutes until browned, remove and set aside.
2. Add the onion and garlic to the pan and fry for 5-8 minutes until soft. Tip in the tomatoes and chilli and cook for a few minutes more.
3. Using a pestle and mortar, pound the turmeric, cumin seeds, coriander seeds and cardamom pods to a fine powder. Add to the pan along with the chicken pieces. Add the stock and coconut milk and bring to a gentle boil.
4. Season well, cover and simmer for 1 hour.
5. To serve: stir in the coconut cream. Grind the basil to a rough paste using a pestle and mortar, and swirl this into the pan. Add the green beans and serve with bowls of steamed rice.

Reviews

[TattooedMamaof2]

This is great! I used 1 can of lite coconut milk and 1 can of broth, it's a good thing too because I had so much extra liquid! I also used 3 pieced chicken breasts (it's what I had on hand) instead of the whole chicken. I really enjoyed this, and am glad I came across it. Thanks!

 

[Divaconviva]

Great flavors! I followed recipe very closely, using lite coconut milk (to reduce fat), and I increased spices all in proportion, and increased green beans to 2 cups. The basil at the end was so fragrant and flavorful! The only negative thing I can say is that the prep time was more like 45 to 50 minutes, but well worth the time. Steamed rice is perfect for savoring the sauce - Don't want to waste a drop! I will be making this again. Made for ZWT4. Thanks for posting a delicious recipe, MarraMamba!

 

[Maito]

This was really good! I made a few changes, but still in the spirit of the recipe. I used chicken breasts, ripe tomatoes, homemade curry powder in lieu of the spices, light coconut milk, and made this a one pot meal by adding potatoes. It was all so yummy together!

 

[LilKiwiChicken]

This was so tasty and so simple, I am a spice freak so added more spices, apart from that I wouldn't change a think. I love that this uses bone-in chicken as it's cheaper and much tastier. I did add some mushrooms but just to bulk it out. Thanks for posting, made for ZWT 4.