Sunday's Plate

I posted on Facebook about a possible cookbook, and the first response was positive. I think maybe it's time to do a third cookbook. Last time we did a cookbook, every parent participated and we still came up with too few recipes, but with today's technology and ease of use, we might just be able to do something cheaply and still have a nice product.

At the party, several people asked me about the chicken curry. Chicken curry is one of those twenty minute meals and only twenty minutes because you have to wait for the rice.

You start by making rice.

Next you cut your chicken breasts into bite sized pieces. Do this with a kitchen sheers; it is half the work.

Next, pull out of the closets and refrigerator all the stuff you have that might make a nice side boy. Now a side boy is an addition to the dish that allows every taste to be different. Curry is not curry without the side boys. So into little dishes, and we used disposible bowls at school, you place those things in your closet that you can add to the plate.

Suggestions: bacon, crumpled egg yolks, chutney, chow chow, pickle relish, celery, green pepper, onion, apple, coconut, walnuts, peanuts, almonds, raisins, and anything like this you think you would like to "sprinkle" on the actual curry. My husband loves soy sauce on his curry.

In San Francisco, back in the early 60s, I had dinner with my father at the India House. I had chicken curry and the side boys were a gigantic plate of fresh fruit. The hotter the curry, the more fruit you will eat because it takes the sting out of very very hot curry.

Now for the main dish - the simplest dish on earth. You saute your chicken breasts with some of your cut side boy onions, celery, green pepper and apple, and add about a teaspoon of curry - more if you like. I add about a tablespoon at home, and at school I added about a teaspoon. When the chicken is done, you add enough water to make what looks like a stew. Add a tablespoon of chicken bouillon. Then you thicken it with a roux of cornstarch or flour and water. When it thickens, it's ready to serve over rice. Add the side boys.

You can substitute milk, but don't boil it. You can sub soy milk, or almond milk or chicken stock.

Buy yellow curry. Green curry is a little bitter. Spice Islands makes a lovely curry. You can also get it at the Asian Market. What you buy should be a deep yellow color - and it stains. Nutritionally, curry is one of the healthiest foods you can eat, and there are studies that show that not only does curry thwart the growth of cancer, it often keeps it away.

Curry like this can also be made with lamb, beef, fish, and pork. I curry rice at home. You saute your rice in butter and curry powder then add stock or beef bouillon and water.

I make a steak sauce with mayo and curry powder that's to die for - just mix 1/4 cup mayo and 1 teaspoon curry powder.

Curry is a fantastic party food because it is cheap and beautiful and easy to make. You make a vat of curry - time - 30 minutes. You assemble 10-15 side boys and arrange them around a large bowl of curry. Rice on the side makes a fantastic party spread. You don't need another thing.

I will post all the other recipes for the wonderful International Feast as I get them.