Durban Chicken Curry - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1 teaspoon ghee
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon fresh ground pepper
1/4 teaspoon paprika
12 boneless skinless chicken thighs
1/2 tablespoon ghee
2 large onions, medium dice
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 1/2 tablespoons curry powder (homemade or authentic Indian brand)
1/2 tablespoon lime juice
1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
1 cup crushed tomatoes
1 cup coconut milk
1/2 tablespoon sugar
1 tablespoon cilantro, chopped
2 cinnamon sticks
3 bay leaves

Preparation

Preheat oven to 300\u00b0F.
Heat 1 teaspoon ghee in a non stick fry pan.
Trim chicken thighs of visible fat and season with the salt, pepper and paprika.
Brown on both sides in the heated ghee and transfer to a casserole dish that has a tight fitting lid. My favourite is a Le Creuset oval casserole.
In the same fry pan add the additional 1/2 tablespoon ghee and saute the onions and garlic until soft.
Add the curry powder and cook further 2 minutes.
Add lime juice, fresh ginger, crushed tomatoes, coconut milk, sugar, chopped cilantro, cinnamon sticks and bay leaves.
Pour over chicken - mix so all is coated - cover with lid and bake up to 1 1/2 hours or until chicken is tender.
SAMBALS are condiments that are served in small dishes as compliments to the curry: 1) Mix together chopped tomatoes and finely chopped onion sprinkled with salt, place in a serving dish and set aside. 2) Sliced bananas. 3) Peach Chutney 4) Lime Pickle 5) Toasted coconut to sprinkle. 6) Papadoms 7) Naan bread.
LEFT OVERS FOR BREAKFAST: If you have left over gravy - add a couple of halved hard boiled eggs and serve on toast for breakfast the next day!