It's what's for lunch. =9

[plonq]

I don't know if I've posted this recipe or not, but it's worth repeating.

If you are cooking for one then you will want to reduce these quantities as this produces enough for a meal for two, plus a day or two of packed lunches.

1-2 lb (or so) chicken, cut into smallish pieces
1 red pepper, cut into strips (optional)
2 small cans of sliced bamboo shoots
1 small can of water chestnuts (optional)
1 can of sliced mushrooms (optional)
2 cans of coconut milk
2 cans of condensed Cream of Mushroom Soup
Red Thai Curry paste¹
Thai fish sauce¹
Granulated Sugar

Put the chicken bits in a sauteing pan with a tablespoon of olive oil (or your favourite oil - or even butter if you prefer) and cook over medium heat until the chicken is cooked through (turns completely white).  Drain any excess liquid.  This would be a good time to add a can of sliced mushrooms - I do that if I remember to pick up mushrooms when I'm out.  Stir for another minute or so over medium heat and then add the coconut milk and mushroom soup.  Stir until it's thoroughly blended and then add the bamboo shoots, red pepper strips and water chestnuts.  Once again blend all of the ingredients, then add (about) 1 tbsp of fish sauce, and (about) 2 tbsp of sugar.  Stir to blend the ingredients, bring the sauce to a boil over low/medium heat, and then begin adding the curry paste a heaping teaspoon at a time.  Stir in each dollop and then taste the sauce; it should be a light orange colour when you are done, and should be just hot enough to raise a sweat.  Cover and allow to simmer for at least 30 minutes.

You can turn this into a vegetarian (though not vegan, because of the fish) dish by substituting eggplant for the chicken and then simmering the sauce until the eggplant is done.  I've had it this way and it's very good too.

Serve over rice, couscous, bread or whatever your choice.

¹These have both become fairly common items to find in most large grocery stores now, but you may have to make a trip to an Asian speciality store in your area.

Comments

[elfasi.livejournal.com]

Always amuses me how some vegetarians still consider themselves true, despite eating fish, which of course is a living breathing creature just like all the other meat out there they profess to avoid.. Sounds like a yummy curry though :)

[plonq.livejournal.com]

There's different levels of vegetarianism. The scale runs from your hardcore vegans who won't even wear animal products - let alone eat them - to the folks who simply eat vegetarian because it's cheaper and (ostensibly) healthier.

I've known some self-proclaimed vegetarians who had no qualms about eating fish, and would even eat chicken occasionally.

[elfasi.livejournal.com]

I have to wonder though what's the point of proclaiming to be a vegetarian and eating fish and chicken ocassionally though.. There's no conscience salving over the fate of eating creatures on the land and sea that had to be slaughtered, no health benefits of avoiding meat. Why not just say you mostly avoid meat? :)

[plonq.livejournal.com]

no health benefits of avoiding meat

That would only be true if all meats were identical. Comparing chicken or fish to red meat is like comparing whole-grain bread with a glazed doughnut.

[kfops.livejournal.com]

That looks mighty tasty...! I wonder if there's something I could substitute for the mushroom soup, though?

What is the base of mushroom soup anyways... just milk and flour?!

White goo?

Hrmmm. Whipping cream...

[orleans.livejournal.com]

Sounds tasty! I love Thai food. :)