Braised Chicken with Potatoes and Massaman Curry

REGION: Indian. Such spicey Indian. INGREDIENT I'VE NEVER USED BUT WILL GLADLY USE AGAIN: Fish sauce. Who knew?!

RECOMMENDED CHEF's JUICE: There was a fight, so I was not discerning.

NUMBER OF GLASSES CONSUMED IN THE COOKING PROCESS: There was a fight. I was not counting.

I'll add a new category because it perfectly encapsulates the temperature of this cooking endeavor:

MAJOR NORTHEASTERN HISTORICAL EVENT: Blizzard Juno

It's been awhile since we've celebrated a good blizzard in this household. To be fair I've been so fixated on the earlier referenced recipes that I haven't had opportunity to engage in a good, chilly fight with my husband. A winter snow storm affords you the chance. There is no escape, and if you live in a tiny house without walls (see: glorified studio) there is only begrudging resolution that takes the form of painstakingly HOT curry!

But let's not air dirty laundry. Instead, it's important to focus on, again, what not to do if your intent is to serve something edible.

1.) Do NOT underestimate the fiery powers of a condensed curry paste.

2.) Taste said paste

3.) Do NOT convince yourself that ALL THE CURRY POWDER will somehow empower you in an argument

4.) While pontificating over the analogy you've grown re: curry powder and power, do NOT overcook your chicken.

5.) I shouldn't have to tell you this (but maybe you should remind me from time-to-time) do NOT withhold food as a form of power. Especially overheated, over cooked curry. It's not a good look for you.

If anything just focus on the chicken. You want to eat something. Food will fuel!

Rest assured all was resolved, but heed the words that follow, especially if you're irksome or looking for a fight. It's not wrong that you feel that way. It's just not right that you cook that way.

So now that I've sanctimoniously tired you with lesson, grab a glass of whatever (who cares! I'm mad!) and let's get to it:

Here's what you'll need:

Chicken thighs (boneless, skinless - less is more here!)

Yukon gold potatoes - potatoes soothe

Red onion

Lime

Cilantro (a bunch)

Chicken base (this is weird, but learn more about it here).

Massaman curry paste - be cool! think before you act!

Coconut milk

Fish sauce

Light brown sugar

Here's what you'll do:

Follow this recipe, with whatever pairs well with curry (a nice white will do you well) if you're in an affable mood. If you're not feeling it but still need sustenance, just poor whatever will take the sting off.

TIP: Rage cooking will yield irreparable results, so try not to. Instead consider cooking with kindness. If that's impossible I recommend reading through the recipe twice before you even slice an onion. Being fully in control of your faculties and having no one to blame but yourself will keep you, and your recipe, in check!

LEGITIMATE COOKING TIP FOR ASPIRING CHEFS LESS EMOTIONAL THAN I: Make sure your coconut milk hasn't congealed before adding it to your curry stock. If left in a cold space it may solidify which makes for a slightly chunky curry. True it will eventually thin, but by then you may have overcooked everything else that was contingent on the milk being smooth - so keep an eye on it and only add it as it's intended. Also, only add the fish sauce, brown sugar and juice of the lime AFTER you've removed the pan from heat. If you aren't ready to remove it from heat, hold off on adding the goods. They will only further dilute and destroy their subtle contributions if you continue to cook them.

PITFALL: Again I over thought the chicken. You don't need to cook it completely when the recipe calls for an original browning. You will continue to cook your chicken in and out of the sauce in later steps so staunch your neuroses and believe in the recipe.

WHY FISH SAUCE?: This is a question I asked myself when I laid out (mise en place baby!) all the ingredients in advance. It compliments the fervent spice of the curry paste and is uplifted by the brown sugar. A perfect harmony! So don't fear using fish sauce with a protein other than fish. (apply this to online dating if applicable, as well).

VERDICT:

Oh dear me. I really ruined that dish, but I tried, and that's got to count for something. Cheers to a rage-less tomorrow!

#ragecooking #massamancurry #fishsauce #BlizzardJuno2015