Less spicy than the curries of neighboring Thailand, Cambodian red curry is made using large local red chilies that are remarkably mild, making for a rich but mellow dish. The curry contains chicken, white radish, sweet potatoes, fresh coconut milk, and kroeung. This delicious dish is usually served at weddings and other ceremonies and special occasions, and can be accompanied with fresh rice noodles, sliced baguette, or white rice.
Main Ingredients in Cambodian Chicken Curry Recipe
The main ingredients in Cambodian curry recipe are coconut, shrimp paste (kaapi), and kroeung. Shrimp paste or shrimp sauce is a common ingredient used in most Southeast Asian cuisine. It is made from grilled or fermented ground shrimp, mixed with a generous amount of salt. Kaapi comes in many forms (sundried whole, sundried and packed into fist-sized rectangular blocks), but the one I am using, and what most Cambodian family uses is the wet form, usually darker brown with a purplish/pinkish hue.
Cambodian Chicken Curry Recipe for Khmer Celebrations
Traditionally, Khmer red curry is considered special food and are usually cooked only for special occasions such as Boun Pchum, or Cambodian New Year. My mother used to wake up really early (5 am) to make her chicken curry recipe from scratch, and it took her practically the whole morning since she pretty much always cooks for an entire army (not even exaggerating, its usually 10 servings or more). Since she made hers from scratch, she also spent a lot of time shaving old coconut and squeezing the shaved coconut to get all the milky cream from it. It was a whole ordeal. Maybe that’s why we only make it for special events. But, because she spends so much time, and put so much love into it, her chicken curry always comes out amazing.
Another great thing about making Cambodian chicken curry recipe from scratch is the actual use of real coconut cream and fresh turmeric. You’d be surprised at all the health benefits of coconut cream, along with Turmeric and its anti-inflammatory benefits. But that is what makes Cambodian food delicious; all of its fresh ingredients that were made each and every day with a mortar and pestle (kroeung). Anyways, if you love Thai curry, you will definitely love ours, so give it a try! Of course, in this more modernized version of Cambodian chicken curry for busy people, there will be no cracking, shaving and squeezing of coconut as we will be using the canned coconut milk.
Cambodian Chicken curry is an aromatic chicken curry using coconut milk, red curry paste, Khmer yellow kroeung, and a variety of vegetables. A traditional Cambodian curry that is both versatile and delicious!
0 Comments