Vietnamese Chicken and Sweet Potato Curry Recipe

Ingredients:

450g/1lb sweet potato, peeled and
cut into 2.5cm/1in chunks
4 tablespoons groundnut oil
1 tablespoon hot curry powder
1 teaspoon ground turmeric
1 teaspoon dried red chilli flakes
450g/1lb skinless chicken breast
fillets, cut into bite-size pieces
300ml/10fl oz chicken stock
150ml/5fl oz coconut milk
salt and freshly ground black pepper
For the paste
1 large onion, roughly chopped
3 garlic cloves, chopped
1 lemon grass stalk, tough outer
layer removed, finely chopped

Preparation:

• Put all the ingredients for the paste in a blender or food processor, and
purée to produce a thick paste. Set aside.
• Cook the potato in a pan of boiling salted water for 8–10 minutes until
tender. Drain and set aside.
• Heat the oil in a wok. Add the paste and fry over a gentle heat, stirring,
for about 5 minutes until softened but not coloured. Stir in the curry
powder, turmeric and chilli flakes, and fry for 30 seconds until aromatic.
• Add the chicken to the wok, stir to coat it evenly in the spice mixture and
fry, stirring, for 2 minutes. Add the stock, bring to the boil, then reduce
the heat and simmer gently for 10 minutes or until most of the stock has
evaporated. Stir in the coconut milk, then season with salt and pepper.
Cook the curry gently, stirring occasionally, for a further 10 minutes.
• Stir in the cooked sweet potato, and heat through for 3–4 minutes. Taste
and adjust the seasoning if necessary. Serve hot with rice.