Recipe for Thai Chicken Curry

Credit: iStockphoto.com/pinyoj

Preparation time: 20 minutes

Cooking time: 20 to 30 minutes

Spice meter: Moderately spicy to hot and spicy

1 tablespoon vegetable oil

2 to 3 tablespoons Thai red or green curry paste

1-3/4 cups unsweetened coconut milk

1 to 2 stalks lemon grass, bruised and cut into 1-inch pieces

1 to 2 Thai lime leaves (optional)

2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into strips

3/4 cup frozen peas, thawed

2 tablespoons Thai fish sauce or soy sauce

1. In a deep skillet or stewpot over medium heat, heat the vegetable oil. Add the Thai curry paste and cook, stirring constantly, until the aroma is very strong, about 3 to 5 minutes.

2. Add the coconut milk, lemon grass, and lime leaves and simmer for 3 minutes.

3. Add the chicken. Simmer until the chicken is cooked through, about 10 to 15 minutes.

4. Stir in the peas and Thai fish sauce and simmer for 3 to 5 minutes or until the peas are heated through.

Coconut milk does not freeze well. Refrigerate any leftovers and reheat on the stove or in a microwave.