Fijian Curry Chicken

When I was at my best friend’s house as a teenager I could often be found hanging around the kitchen. I have always been fascinated by cooking and cooks and my best friend’s Mother was always trying something tasty! This recipe is one from the Islands where they come from. I also experienced the cooking when I was there with them in the 90’s.

Ingredients:
1 kilo chicken, in pieces
1 medium onion
3 tbsp sunflower oil
1 stem of curry leaves
2 cm cinnamon stick
1/2 tsp freshly grated ginger
3 cloves of garlic
1 tsp fennel seed
3 cloves
5 cardamom pods
1 tsp turmeric
1 tsp chili powder
1 tsp salt
2 tsp curry powder
2 cups water
2 stems finely chopped parsley

Method:
Heat the oil, when the oil is hot enough add the fennel seeds, cardamom pods, cinnamon stick and wait until golden brown. Next stir in the chopped onion, curry leaves and cook for a couple of minutes, then add the ginger, garlic and chicken pieces and stir well. Add the turmeric, chili and curry powders; let the spices cook to release the flavors. Stir in salt and enough water to just cover the pieces of chicken, put the lid on the pan and cook until the chicken is tender. Serve with white rice and garnish parsley or if you prefer coriander.