Recipe: Kuku Paka

Kuku Paka, or Kenyan chicken in coconut curry sauce is a fabulous dish from the East African coast. It is a perfect illustration of how African, Arab and Indian influences meld in the coastal region. Make Kuku Paka for yourself with this recipe:

• Chicken, cut into pieces -- 3 pounds
• Onion, chopped -- 1
• Hot chile peppers, chopped -- 2 or 3
• Ginger, peeled and chopped -- 2 tablespoons
• Garlic, chopped -- 2 tablespoons
• Oil or ghee -- 1/4 cup
• Curry powder -- 1 tablespoon
• Cumin seeds -- 2 teaspoons
• Chopped tomatoes or tomato sauce -- 2 cups
• Coconut milk -- 2 cups, or 1 (15-ounce) can
• Salt and pepper -- to taste
• Cilantro, chopped -- 1/2 cup

Add the onion, chiles, ginger and garlic to a food processor or blender and process until smooth. Add a little water if necessary. Heat the oil or ghee in a large pot or wok over medium flame. Add the onion puree, curry powder and cumin and sauté, stirring frequently, for 5 to 8 minutes, or until cooked down. Stir in the tomatoes and simmer for 3 to 4 minutes. Then add the chicken, coconut milk, salt and pepper. Reduce heat to low and simmer, covered, until the chicken is cooked through and tender, anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour. Add more water as needed. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper and serve with with rice or chapati.

For some variation, try the following:

• For authentic flavor, grill the chicken pieces before stirring them into the simmering sauce. If you like, you can also use boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs.
• Some recipes add potatoes or hard-boiled eggs to the curry. The potatoes can be cooked ahead, cut into chunks and stirred into the curry toward the end.
• Eliminate the hot chiles for a milder dish. Or substitute a chopped sweet bell pepper.
• Reserve some of the coconut cream that gathers at the top of the can and stir it into the sauce at the very end for extra silky results.