Lab Station 01 Modernist Recipe Book
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Specimen photograph for Home-Style Chicken Curry with Coconut Milk, Potatoes & Peas

Home-Style Chicken Curry with Coconut Milk, Potatoes & Peas

Yield
6 portions; approximately 2.2 kg finished curry

October 2, 2026 · Version 1 · Main Course

A gentle, comforting chicken curry with a coconut-rich gravy, soft potatoes, and peas

Preparation

Scaling basis: Chicken · 1200 g

PHASE A — SEASON AND BROWN

Ingredient Uses

Method

  1. Season chicken with salt and turmeric; rest for 20 min.
  2. Heat oil in a heavy pot. Brown chicken in batches for 3 min–4 min per side. Reserve.

Phase Outputs

Key Phase Output Description
browned-chicken Browned chicken Prepared intermediate for a later Phase. Return all chicken to the curry.

PHASE B — BUILD CURRY

Ingredient Uses

Method

  1. Cook onion in the same pot over medium heat for 15 min–20 min until golden.
  2. Add garlic and ginger; cook for 2 min. Add curry powder, cumin, and coriander; cook for 1 min.
  3. Add tomato and cook for 8 min–10 min until reduced and glossy.
  4. Add coconut milk and stock. Return chicken to the pot and simmer gently, covered, for 25 min.

Phase Outputs Used

Phase Output Use
Browned chicken Use browned-chicken. Return all chicken to the curry.

Phase Outputs

Key Phase Output Description
curry-base Curry base Prepared intermediate for a later Phase. Use the entire pot, including chicken and gravy.

PHASE C — POTATOES AND PEAS

Ingredient Uses

Method

  1. Add potatoes and simmer uncovered for 25 min–30 min until tender and the chicken reaches at least 74 C.
  2. Add peas and cook for 4 min.
  3. Stir in garam masala and lemon juice. Rest for 10 min, then finish with coriander.

The strength of curry powder varies widely. Keep the simmer gentle after adding coconut milk to avoid splitting the gravy.

Recorded alternatives (no separate variation-specific testing observations were supplied):

  • Boneless: Use 900 g boneless thigh and reduce the first simmer to 15 min.
  • Hotter: Add 20 g sliced green chilli with the garlic and ginger.

Phase Outputs Used

Phase Output Use
Curry base Use curry-base. Use the entire pot, including chicken and gravy.

FAILURE MODES

Symptom Likely cause Corrective action
Firm potatoes insufficient simmering cook until tender
Harsh spice flavour insufficient spice cooking bloom spices before adding liquids