Chicken and Papaya Curry

As well as writing my own, I like to read other people's blogs particularly food blogs. A particular favourite of mine is Belleau Kitchen written by a guy called Dom.

Recently he posted a recipe challenge in which participants had to pick at random a recipe book they owned. From this choice they had to flick through the book and stop at a random recipe and then cook that recipe regardless of what it is and without cheating and changing to a more preferred recipe.

The book I ended up picking was Gordon Ramsay's Great Escape and the recipe that I landed on was Chicken and Papaya Curry.

This would normally be a recipe I would probably glance at and that would be it, with it not being my usual preference in terms of food and curry. That, however, would be against the spirit of the challenge so here goes.....


Chicken and Papaya Curry (serves 4)
Ingredients
500g Chicken thighs (skinned and boneless)
1 tsp Ground Turmeric
1 tbsp Oil
2 Medium Onions (finely chopped)
3cm Fresh Ginger (peeled and grated)
3 cloves of Garlic
1 Green Chili (deseeded and finely chopped)
150ml Water
6 Tbsp Raw Green Papaya (finely chopped or pureed in a food processor)
Juice of one Lime
Coriander to garnish

Method

Cut the chicken thighs into bite sized pieces and mix with seasoning and the turmeric
Heat the oil in a wide frying pan and add the onions, garlic, chilli and ginger.

Fry for 5 minutes until the onions start to soften.
Add the chicken and mix well.
Fry over a high heat for a few minutes then add the water and the papaya.

Reduce heat to a simmer.
Cook for 20 minutes until chicken is tender and the sauce thickens.

Add the lime juice and season to taste.
Transfer to a warm serving bowl and garnish with fresh coriander.

Verdict: Very impressed. Very light and fragrant with each distinct flavour getting a chance to show off and with a lovely undertone of heat from the chilli. I will definitely be making this again and probably using this method to pick meals again because I wouldn't have made this otherwise.