Thai Chicken Curry

Last week was a little crazy for me so I didn't get around to posting recipes.  We had this delicious curry dish last week and writing about it is already making my mouth water.  I feel I can actually call this recipe an original as it stems from the combination of two recipes and has been altered significantly from there.  Please don't be deterred by the longer list of ingredients!  My husband and I make this one together and usually have a great time cooking together.  It shouldn't take more than 30-45 minutes total to make and has so many ingredients that are so good for you!

Serves 4.

Ingredients:

• 1 (14-ounce) can of coconut milk
• 1 cup organic chicken stock
• 2 Tablespoons fish sauce
• 2 Tablespoons Thai red curry paste
• 1 large sweet potato, peeled and cut into 1/4-inch chunks
• 1 pound boneless, skinless, organic chicken breasts, pounded to thin and tenderize and cut into 1/4-inch chunks
• 3-4 cloves of garlic, minced or pressed
• 1 Tablespoon olive oil
• 5-6 carrots, peeled and sliced
• 6 ounces fresh green beans or snap peas
• 1 cup fresh pineapple cut into 1/4-inch chunks
• 1 Tablespoon lime juice
• 3/4 cup chopped fresh basil
• Curry powder to taste
• Ginger powder to taste

Directions:

1. Peel and cut the sweet potato and carrots and then steam them for about 15 minutes.  (This will shorten the amount of time the dish needs to simmer as the carrots and sweet potato take the longest to cook.)
2. Heat a large saucepan to medium high heat and place the Tablespoon of olive oil and minced garlic in the pan.  Next add the chicken and let it sear until you no longer see any pink on it. (Don't worry about making sure it is cooked through as it will simmer.)
3. Add the coconut milk, chicken stock, fish sauce, curry paste, and lime juice to the saucepan and stir.  
4. Add the steamed carrots and sweet potatoes. 
5. Add the green beans or snap peas.  (We prefer the snap peas but use whichever we have on hand.)
6. Add the curry and ginger powder to taste.
7. Simmer for 15 minutes and add the pineapple and fresh basil just before serving.  Serve with brown rice.

Comments on Ingredients:

• Pineapple is packed with the enzyme bromelain which plays a major role in the body's healing process. Bromelain is a natural potent anti-inflammatory that has many health benefits and encourages healing. According to recent researches, bromelain is very effective in treating bruises, sprains and strains by reducing swelling, tenderness and pain. This powerful anti-inflammatory effect can also help relieve rheumatoid arthritis symptoms and reduce postoperative swelling.