Marinated chicken breast with a coconut curry sauce with dhal and fragrant rice

Method

1. First make the marinade. In a shallow dish, mix together the yogurt, lemon juice, garam masala, turmeric, salt and freshly ground pepper.

2. Add in the chicken breasts, coating well. Cover and chill in the refrigerator for 2 hours.

3. To make the dhal, heat the oil in a heavy-based saucepan. Add in the shallot, garlic and cumin and fry gently until softened.

4. Mix in the lentils then add in the stock.

5. Bring to the boil, reduce the heat and simmer partly covered for around 20-30 minutes, stirring now and then, until the liquid has evaporated. Season with salt and freshly ground pepper.

6. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 200°C/gas 6.

7. Heat the olive oil in a heavy-based frying pan. Add in the chicken and brown on both sides. Transfer the chicken to a roasting tray and roast for 8-11 minutes, until cooked through.

8. Meanwhile, make the fragrant rice. Place the basmati, fennel seeds and cardamom pods in a heavy-based pan. Add in double the amount of water to rice. Season with salt and freshly ground pepper and bring to the boil. Reduce the heat, cover tightly and cook over a very low heat until the water has been absorbed and the rice is cooked through.

9. Meanwhile, make the coconut curry sauce. Place the chillies, lemon grass, coriander seeds, lime juice, shallot, garlic and ginger in a food processor and blend into a paste.

10. Heat the groundnut oil in a heavy-based saucepan. Add in the paste and fry gently for 4-5 minutes, stirring often.

11. Add in the coconut milk, mixing well. Stirring, bring to the boil, reduce the heat and simmer until the sauce reduces and thickens to a creamy consistency.

12. To serve, place the rice into a greased mould and turn out onto the plate.

13. Slice each chicken fillet into three, place around the rice and spoon over a
generous amount of the curry sauce. Serve with the dhal as a side dish.