C is for Curry

so a wee bit ago (like the beginning of the week, or the end of last week, or something... days tend to run together when you're me), i happened to mention on facebook that i was going to try and make a chicken curry stew for dinner, and make it in the crock pot for maximun laziness.  i didn't really think anything of this mention, i mean- it was on facebook.  if i'm mentioning something on facebook, i usually don't think too much of it. it's not like i'm sixteen and am concerned that the boy i like might read all of my posts, so i make sure that all my posts are pictures of myself taken from way up high and slightly to the right.  nope, i'm an adult, thanks.  so when i had a large response asking me about my curry stew and if it was good, i was a little surprised.  it was good, in fact.  quite good, and really really easy.  i guess a lot of folks are a bit burned out from the holidays and needs something simple and filling for dinner, not to mention cheap.  this fits the bill nicely.  so i've decided to write up the recipe that i used here, and feel free to take, use, and change as you see fit.  after all, it's crock pot stew. the potential for variations are endless.

Coconut Chicken Curry Stew (almost alliteration... sigh.)

3 chicken breasts
1 can of coconut milk
1 can of chicken broth
1/2 onion, diced
4 russet potatoes, peeled and diced large
2 red bell peppers, diced
4 carrots, peeled and chopped
1 T garam masala (this is imperitve for good flavor)
1T curry powder
1/2 t cayenne pepper
1 t garlic power
salt to taste

put the chicken breasts in the crockpot.  add the can of coconut milk, the broth, onions, potatoes, and spices (execpt salt. do that later, because you really shouldn't taste stuff with raw chicken.)  cook on high for 4 hours or so.  at that point, add the rest of the veggies and cook another two hours.  take out the chicken, and shred with two forks, then add back in.  salt to taste, and serve with yogurt and basmati rice, or naans, or crackers, or nothing.  it's good by itself too.  i figure you could add cauliflower, which i would have if i had any, or any other veggie that stands up to slow cooking.  don't forget to use the garam masala though.  it's what gives the stew it's clove-y cinnamon-y flavor.  you can get it pretty much anywhere in the spice aisle, but i get mine at the indian grocery store if i can.

so there you facebook folks go.  my stew.  it's lovely- so lovely i think i'll make it again next week.  it's so good i actually ate leftovers.  need i go on?

ps- i finished all the christmas knitting before christmas.  it was a holiday miracle.  everybody liked it too.