Opor Ayam (Opor Chicken)

Ingredients:

• 6-7 chicken drumstick/chicken bite size pieces
• 200ml coconut milk
• 1 stalk lemon grass, bruised
• 3-4 lime leaves (limau purut leaves)
• salt to taste
• 1 tbsp sugar

pound very finely together:

• 3-4 red chillies
• 5 sliced galangal (lengkuas)
• 3 sliced ginger
• 4 candle nuts (buah keras)
• 6 shallots
• 3 cloves garlic

add in:

• 4 tsps corainder powder
• 1/2 tsp cumin powder
• 1/2 tsp pepper
• 1 tsp turmeric powder
• 1/2 cup of water

Method:

Over high fire, heat the wok until hot. Pour in 4 tbsp cooking oil, lower fire to a medium heat. Add in the pounded spices and lemongrass. Stir for 2 minutes, add in 5 tbsp coconut milk and simmer for another 2 minutes. Stir continuously for a smooth gravy.

Add in the chicken, the remaining coconut milk and stir fry for another 5 minutes. Finally add in the water, sugar, salt and lime leaves. Bring to boil and then simmer, uncovered, until the chicken is tender. Serve with hot white rice.