I sometimes make this stew using Job's tears, other times I'll do 1 1/2 cups cooked Job's tears plus 1 1/2 cups cooked mung beans for an added protein boost (as pictured above)...use whatever you have on hand. Skip the curry leaf if you don't have one, don't let that be a deterrent here. Also, you can use the broth from cooking the Job's tears in place of some of the water called for in the recipe if you like.
1 14-ounce can full-fat coconut broth
1 medium onion, chopped
3 medium shallots, chopped
2 small garlic cloves, peeled
1/2 serrano chile, de-stemmed and seeded
2 1/2 teaspoons fine grain sea salt
1 fresh curry leaf
5 cups water or broth
3 cups | 15 oz | 425 g cooked Job's tears*
3 cups | 4 oz | 115 g chicory lettuces, cut into 1 1/2-inch | 4cm pieces.Toasted coconut, chopped chives, spicy mustard seed oil, quick pickled mustard greens, and/or hard-boiled egg to serve.
To a large pot over medium heat, scoop the thick cream from the top of the can of coconut milk, this is going to be your cooking fat. Saute the onion until soft, five minutes or so. While that is happening, use a mortar and pestle to smash the shallots, garlic, chile, and salt into a paste. If you don't have a mortar and pestle use the flat side of a knife to carefully smash, and chop. Add this paste to the the onions, and saute for another few minutes. Add the curry leaf, the rest of the can of coconut milk, and the water, and bring to a simmer. Remove the curry leaf. Taste, and adjust the broth if needed. Stir in the Job's tears, and bring back to a simmer.
Toss the chicory with a small splash of olive oil, and a sprinkling of salt. Serve the stew, topped with a generous tangle of the chicory, and whatever other toppings you are planning to use. I've listed a number above but you might use as many or few as you like.
Serves 4.
*To cook Job's tears, soak them for twenty minutes (or up to a couple of hours), cover with water by a few inches, salt, and boil until they are tender. If I'm pressed for time, I'll skip the soak. After cooking, drain (reserving the broth for another use), and use the Job's tears in whatever preparations you like.
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