Kuku paka

Kuku paka – Kenyan chicken and potato curry – is both simple and delicious. Mildly spiced and creamy, my girls both love it.

Unlike many curries, the chicken are cooked separately – which keeps the flavours and textures distinct– and folded into the coconut curry sauce just before serving.

(Which is similar to chicken tikka masala, now I think of it.)

My version is adapted from this recipe for kuku paka on the Food.com website.

Kuku paka
(serves 4)

For the chicken and potatoes:

• 1 Tb fresh ginger, grated
• 2 cloves garlic, crushed
• 1 Tb salt
• 2 Tb sunflower oil
• 8 bone-in chicken thighs
• 4 large potatoes, sliced into wedges

For the sauce:

• 1 Tb sunflower oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• a thumb of ginger, grated
• 1 fresh chilli, minced (or to taste)
• 1/2 tsp turmeric
• 1 tsp cumin powder
• 1 tsp sugar
• 1 tsp salt
• 400g tin of tomatoes
• 400ml tin coconut milk
• juice of a lime
• 4 hard-boiled eggs, halved
• chopped coriander, to serve

1. In a small bowl, whisk together ginger, garlic, salt, and sunflower oil to make a marinade.
2. Place the chicken pieces in a large, ziplock bag. Pour the marinade over the chicken, seal and leave in the fridge for at least two hours (or overnight).
3. Preheat the oven to 375°F (185°C). Oil two baking sheets – arrange the chicken pieces on one, and the potato slices on the other. Drizzle the potatoes with oil, and season with salt and pepper.
4. Bake the chicken and potatoes for about 45 minutes, or until cooked through.
5. While the chicken and potatoes are cooking, make the sauce.
6. Heat the oil in a wide saucepan over a medium flame. Add the onion and sauté until softened. Add the garlic, ginger and chilli and cook a few minutes more.
7. Stir in the turmeric, cumin, sugar and salt, then add the tomatoes, breaking them up (if whole) with a wooden spoon. Cook for about five minutes, or until the tomatoes start to form a sauce.
8. Add the coconut milk and heat through without boiling then remove from the heat. Stir in the lime juice and adjust the seasoning.
9. Add the cooked chicken, potatoes and eggs to the saucepan, carefully spooning the sauce to cover them.
10. Serve garnished with the chopped coriander.

Tags: African food, chicken, coconut milk, curry, dairy-free, eggs, gluten-free, potatoes