Hari Raya Haji Special: Chicken in Spicy Tomato Sauce (Ayam Masak Merah)

Chicken in Spicy Tomato Sauce Recipe

Servings: 7
INGREDIENTS:

• 2 blades pandan leaves (optional)
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 2 whole star anise
• 3 pods cardamom seeds
• 5 tbsp dried chilli paste 
• 4 tbsp canned tomato sauce (60 gm)
• 2 tbsp canned tomato paste (60 gm)
• 2 tbsp plum sauce (40 gm)
• 10 cherry tomatoes, cut in halves OR 1 tomato, diced
• 1 cup water
• a handful coriander leaves
• 2 tsp salt, adjust to taste
• 2 tbsp sugar, adjust to taste
• cooking oil

(A) MARINATE: 

• 7 pieces of chicken thighs (about 1.3 kg)
• 1.5 tsp turmeric powder
• 1.5 tsp salt

(B) BLEND:

• 10 small red onions (180 gm) 
• 5 cloves garlic (30 gm)
• 15 gm ginger 
• 15 gm galangal
• 1 lemongrass, white part only (25-30 gm)
• 1 tsp fennel powder (5 gm)
• 2 tsp coriander powder (10 gm)
• 1/2 cup water

DIRECTIONS:

1. (A) Mix chicken with turmeric powder and salt. Cover and marinate for at least 20 minutes in the refrigerator.

2. (B) Blend all ingredients into a smooth paste and set aside.

3. Fry marinated chicken until golden brown and set aside for later use.

4. Heat 8 tbsp of cooking oil.

5. Stir fry pandan leaves, cinnamon stick, star anise and cardamom until fragrant. Fry on low heat.

6. Next, add the blended paste and stir fry until fragrant on medium heat.

7. Add dried chilli paste and fry until oil separates, stirring in between.

8. Add tomato paste, tomato sauce, plum sauce and cherry tomatoes. Mix well until homogeneous.

9. Then, add the fried chicken and give a quick stir.

10. Add water, salt and sugar. Mix well and then let the mixture simmer for 30-40 minutes. Stir occasionally.

11. Once mixture has thickened, remove pandan leaves.

12. Sprinkle coriander leaves, mix a little and off the heat.

13. Ayam Masak Merah is ready to be served.

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