Chicken, lime and coconut parcels recipe

By Katie Bishop

Serves 4
Takes 30 minutes to make and 2½ hours’ steaming
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Thai flavours are great in quick-cook dishes; however, they are equally thrilling when cooked long and slow, as you’ll discover in this recipe. If your steamer isn't large enough for all the chicken pieces, bake in a low oven.

Ingredients

2 green chillies, deseeded
2 garlic cloves
Juice of 1 lime
1 heaped tbsp shredded kaffir lime leaves (we used Bart Spices, from major supermarkets) or the grated zest of 1 lime
Handful fresh coriander, with stalks
1 tbsp cumin seeds, dry-toasted
3 tbsp Thai fish sauce
4 tbsp coconut cream
4 banana leaves (optional, from Asian supermarkets)
4 x 250g free-range chicken legs
Red chillies, sliced, to garnish

Method

1. In a mini food processor, blitz the green chillies, garlic, lime juice, lime leaves or zest, coriander, cumin, fish sauce and coconut cream to a paste.
2. Cut 4 sheets of baking paper, each 30cm x 40cm (make them double-thickness if you’re not using banana leaves) and top each with a banana leaf, if using. Rub the chilli paste over the chicken legs, massaging it all over. Put a chicken leg onto each banana leaf or sheet of baking paper (if not using banana leaves) and wrap tightly around the chicken, tucking the edges under and gathering up the sides to make a parcel. Tie each one tightly with kitchen string to seal.
3. Take a large pot with a steamer insert, half-fill with water and bring to the boil over a high heat. Arrange the chicken parcels in the steamer (which shouldn’t touch the water) and cover with a tight-fitting lid. Reduce the heat slightly to a steady simmer. Steam for 2½ hours or until the meat is completely tender – top up the pan with water from time to time, so it doesn’t boil dry. Remove the chicken parcels and set aside to rest for about 5 minutes.
4. Place each parcel on a serving plate and open it, being careful to keep all the lovely juices inside. Garnish with red chilli slices and serve with steamed jasmine rice and stir-fried sugar snap peas.