Curry in a Hurry
Submitted by leone8
A 15-minute chicken or shrimp curry with crushed tomatoes, garlic, and fresh coriander. Quick enough for the busiest weeknights.
YIELD
2 servingsPREP
5 minCOOK
10 minREADY
15 minFifteen minutes. That’s all it takes to get a real, from-scratch curry on the table. No paste from a jar, no coconut milk, just curry powder bloomed in hot oil with garlic and red chili, then a can of crushed tomatoes to bring it all together.
You pick the protein: shrimp cooks in about 3 minutes, chicken strips in under 10.
The “fimmering” technique at the end, where you crank the heat and let the oil rise to the surface, concentrates the flavor fast. A splash of cream tames the heat if you’ve gone heavy on the chili.
Finish with fresh coriander and lemon juice. That’s it. Dinner, done.
Pro Tips
- “Splutter fry” means tossing the spices into screaming hot oil for just 30 seconds. Don’t walk away or they’ll burn.
- Use shrimp for speed, chicken for substance. Both work equally well.
- A tablespoon of cream is optional but smooths out the heat beautifully.
- Serve over steamed basmati or with warm naan to soak up the sauce.
Ingredients
Directions
If using shrimp, clean and de-vein.
Sauté them lightly on both sides until they become pinkish, then set aside.
If using chicken, cut the meat into 1” strips and set aside.
In a saucepan or wok, heat the oil and “splutter fry” the curry powder and red chili powder and then the garlic rapidly for 30 seconds.
Add the tomatoes, then add the ginger, if desired, and salt; mix well and bring to a boil.
Add the chicken or shrimp, and simmer until cooked (3-5 minutes for the shrimp, 6 to 10 minutes for the chicken).
Finally, do the “fimmering” process, simmering on high heat until the oil floats to the top for a minute or so.
Remember that overcooking or overspicing can kill the curry.
Use the optional cream to tame the curry or adjust the flavor.
Garnish with freshly chopped coriander and a squeeze of lemon juice.
Serves 2 as a main dish, 3 to 4 when served with other dishes.
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