Kari Kapitan with Roti Jala – 甲必丹咖喱鸡

We feel that Peranakan food is uniquely olden day fusion cuisine due to the mixture of chinese and malay ingredients, the flavours produced are just amazing. However, the cuisine itself is dying slowly, many families choose to protect their recipes and keep it only within the family. Eventually these recipes might get lost through generations if their children or grandchildren do not learn how to cook them. We are lucky to be able to work with Chef Arlene a peranakan chef from Shin Gi Tai, to create this recipe for you guys! This dish pairs perfectly well with Roti Jala, the way the lacy rolled pancakes soaks up the curry just gives us a sense of comfort from eating it.

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  • Servings: 6 pax

  • Time: 1 hr

  • Skill: Intermediate

Kari Kapitan:

  1. 1kg chicken drumstick

  2. 1 tbsp turmeric powder

  3. 1 tsp salt (or to taste)

  4. 2 onions (skinned, halved and sliced)

  5. ½ cup cashew nuts

  6. 1 cup thick coconut milk

  7. 1 tbsp finely sliced young kaffir lime leaf

  8. 1 tbsp gula melaka

  9. 2 tbsp tamarind juice

    10. Ingredients

    Spice paste:

    1. 350g shallots

    2. 10g garlic

    3. 20g ginger

    4. 20g galangal

    5. 10g turmeric

    6. 10g candlenuts

    7. 200g fresh red chilis

    8. 20g belachan, toasted

    9. 50g lemongrass

    10. 2 tbsp shallot crisps

      11. Ingredients

      Roti Jala:

      1. 250g plain flour

      2. 3 large eggs (180 g)

      3. 1 cup coconut milk

      4. 2 cups water

      5. ¼ cup coconut oil or vegetable oil

      6. 1 tsp salt

      7. ½ tsp turmeric powder

    11. Marinate the chicken pieces with turmeric powder and salt for 4 hours.

    12. Add all ingredients for spice paste into a food processor and blend until fine.

    13. Deep fry the chicken in hot oil until golden. Drain on paper towels.

    14. Add spice paste to a hot pan and add ½ cup of the frying oil in a wok, fry until fragrant.

    15. Add cashews and onions and cook until onions turn translucent.

    16. Add the chicken and cook for 5-7 minutes over a medium flame.

    17. Add the coconut milk, tamarind juice, lime leaf and brown sugar and simmer for 1 hour until chicken is tender.

    18. Add all ingredients for Roti Jala to a blender and blend until smooth. Strain into a cup.

    19. Heat griddle until drops of water sizzle slowly on its surface.

    20. Using roti jala maker, drizzle batter onto griddle in a flower pattern.

    21. Make sure the roti jala cooks slowly and evenly until lightly golden brown.

    22. Fold in the sides and roll up.

    23. Dish Kari kapitan onto serving plate and garnish. Serve with roti jala.