COCONUT CHICKEN CURRY

When I was growing up I hated cooking. My family is from India and preparing big meals for the extended family was part of our culture, but I used to beg for any job other than cooking. Then I got married and moved to Africa and suddenly everything changed – I began calling my mother and asking her for recipes. She told me: “Cooking for someone you love is what makes you a good cook.” This curry is a particular favourite of my family in Tanzania. SERVES 4 F 1 large chicken, jointed into 8 pieces, excess skin trimmed away

1 large ripe tomato, roughly chopped

1 onion, quartered

15g fresh root ginger, peeled

4 garlic cloves, peeled

6 serrano chillies, stems removed and deseeded (use fewer if you prefer milder curries)

2 tsp ground cumin

1 tsp ground coriander

1 tsp ground turmeric

2 tbsp coconut oil

2 x 400ml tins coconut milk

3 eggs, hard-boiled, peeled and halved juice

½ lemon salt and pepper

10g fresh coriander, chopped, to garnish rice, chapatis or flatbreads, to serve

1 Score each piece of the chicken in two or three places, slicing about 1cm into the meat.

2 Put the tomato, onion, ginger, garlic, chillies, cumin, coriander, turmeric and some salt and pepper into a food processor and blend to a rough paste. Rub one-third of the paste all over the chicken, into the cuts and under the skin. Reserve the rest of the mixture. Refrigerate the chicken for at least 1 hour, or up to 5 hours.

3 Preheat the grill to the highest setting and line a large baking tin with foil.

4 In a large pan, melt the coconut oil on a medium heat. Add the remaining paste and cook, stirring occasionally, for 20 mins or until all of the moisture evaporates. Increase the heat slightly and cook for 3-5 mins until the paste is thick and dark. Add the coconut milk and simmer for 25-30 mins until the sauce is thick.

5 Meanwhile, put the marinated chicken, skin-side up, in the lined baking tin and grill for 15 mins until well coloured and charred, then turn the chicken over and grill for another 5 mins to make sure it is cooked through.

6 Stir the chicken and any juices into the curry pan, bring to a simmer, cover and cook for 5 mins until the flavours have combined. Taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary. Add the boiled eggs and the lemon juice to taste. Sprinkle with the chopped coriander and serve with rice, chapatis or flatbreads.