Almond Pistachio Saffron Curry Sauce Recipes

BRAISED CHICKEN AND RICE WITH ORANGE, SAFFRON, ALMOND, AND PISTACHIO SYRUP

Steps:

• Rinse the rice in a sieve under cold running water until the water runs clear; put to one side.
• Heat the olive oil in a large, heavy-bottomed pot and throw in the onions. Cook over medium heat until they soften and turn golden. Season the chicken thighs and add them to the pan. Brown on all sides, then pour in 2 1/2 cups water and bring to a simmer. Cover with a lid and cook until the chicken is tender, about 20 minutes.
• Meanwhile, peel the zest from the orange with a potato peeler, then cut it into matchstick strips. Blanch in a small pan of boiling water for a couple of minutes, then drain.
• Dissolve the sugar in 1/2 cup (scant) water in a small, heavy-bottomed pan over medium heat, then bring to a boil and let bubble to reduce and thicken for 5 to 10 minutes until syrupy. Add the orange zest, slivered almonds, and pistachios and boil for 5 minutes, skimming off any froth. Strain the syrup and return to the pan; set aside the orange zest and nuts. Add the saffron and rose water to the syrup and boil again for 3 minutes, then add the cardamom seeds.
• Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F. Strain the stock from the chicken thighs and add the syrup to it. Make this up to 3 cups with more water. Bring it to a boil in an ovenproof casserole and add the rice. Season and add two-thirds of the orange zest and nuts, keeping the rest to one side. Bring back to a boil, then cover and simmer until the rice is cooked. The liquid should have all been absorbed by now.
• Bury the chicken and onions in the rice and add the fava beans and peas, if you are including them. Put the lid on and cook in the oven for 20 minutes.
• Serve straight from the pan or, if you prefer, in a large, warmed serving dish. Sprinkle the last third of the orange zest and nuts over the top before bringing it to the table.

FRIED TOFU IN CURRY SAUCE

Steps:

• Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and sauté tofu pieces until crispy and browned. Remove tofu from skillet and set aside.
• Sauté onion and green pepper until onion is translucent then add ginger and garlic. Cook for 2 to 3 min until fragrant, then stir in the curry powder.
• Return tofu to skillet and add tomato sauce, coconut milk, cloves, cardamom and cinnamon stick. Season with salt and pepper.and stir all together.
• Reduce heat to low and simmer for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.

PISTACHIO CREAM SAUCE

Steps:

• Heat oil in medium sauté pan.
• Sauté Onions until Translucent (not caramelized).
• Add pistachios and enough olive oil to lightly coat.
• Cook for about a minute, the pistachios should not change color.
• Add cream until heated throughout.
• Remove from heat.
• Add seasonings to taste.
• Serve over pasta of choice.
• Top with grated cheese.

BALTI HOUSE CURRY SAUCE

Steps:

• In a large pan or wok heat the oil to a medium heat.
• Add the garlic and ginger and fry for 2 minutes.
• Add the onion and fry for 3-4 minutes stirring frequently.
• Add the pepper, carrot, tomatoes, tom puree, milk and half the fresh coriander.
• Bring to the boil then reduce the heat and simmer gently for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally Add the curry powder, sugar and salt and mix thoroughly, simmer for another 15 minutes.
• Remove from heat and cool.
• Add the remaining coriander and liquidise using a blender, the hand held kind works best.
• Mixture may be used immediately (see my balti recipe) or frozen and kept for upto 12 months- I use disposable plastic pint glasses.

SAFFRON SAUCE

Steps:

• Melt clarified butter in a pan and add the onion.
• When onion turns translucent add garlic and stir.
• Add white wine and let simmer.
• Keep one TB cream back, add the rest to the pan. Let reduce sauce until desired consistency is reached.
• Dissolve the saffron threads in the remaining TB of cream and add to the sauce.
• Salt and pepper to taste.
• Serve.