Spicy Coconut Curry Chicken and Rice Noodles Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Does coconut milk make curry less spicy? ›

Coconut milk or cream

Coconut milk is a vegan option for all curries. You can also try adding a splash of milk, if that's all you have to hand. Milk contains a protein called casein which actually breaks down capsaicin and makes it less spicy – both full-fat and skimmed do the trick nicely.

Adding dairy is an ideal way to dull down the heat in hot spicy food. Try serving spicy curries with a dollop of plain yoghurt or serve that spicy soup with a hearty pour of cream or sour cream. Another method to counteract spiciness in a dish is to add a squeeze of acid such as lime or lemon juice, even vinegar.

Once the spices and veg have cooked, add in the coconut milk and a couple cups of chicken stock. Turn the heat up so it comes to a boil and then lower to about medium heat and cook for 10-15 minutes. Just until it starts to thicken! I normally do 10 minutes, but if you like a really thick sauce, take it longer.

Adding more vegetables to the curry can help dilute the spice. Using coconut milk or cream can also reduce the spiciness. Adding citrus or vinegar provides a tangy flavor that balances the heat. Yogurt or sour cream can cool down the curry.

Curries derive their spice from peppers—fresh, dried, blended in a paste or in powdered form—so adding extra chili peppers is an easy way to make your curry spicier. If you make your own curry or garam masala spice blend, add extra cayenne pepper to the mix.

Adding a small amount of sugar can be used to mellow the spiciness in a curry. Be cautious not to overdo it, as it can change the taste of the curry and make it too sweet. Citrus juices like lemon juice can provide an aromatic twist to the curry and reduce the spiciness of the curry.

If you're hesitant to add fat, you can also dilute the heat of a curry or stew by adding more water.

Add acid

Take this trick from Thai cuisine, which happily uses lots of chiles. To counteract spiciness, a lot of their dishes use a liberal amount of acid from citrus, vinegar, or even ketchup. A spoonful can really do wonders to balance out and counteract the spiciness.

For example, if consuming products that are low in fat is a priority, coconut milk may not be your best choice due to its high fat content, which contributes most of the calories of coconut milk. In addition, regarding protein content, cow's milk and soy milk have more protein than coconut milk and almond milk.

Is it better to use coconut cream or milk for curry? ›

Coconut milk and cream are mostly interchangeable in recipes such as curries and soups. If you prefer a richer flavour and texture, try coconut cream or vice versa. However, be careful when substituting coconut milk and cream in baked goods.

If you prefer to go the coconut-free route (or if you don't have coconut shreds, cream, oil, water, or butter on hand), you can use plain old milk — whichever kind you prefer. Whatever you're making won't have the same flavor as it would with coconut, which may make things like curries taste a little flat.

Or serving your curry with a side such as potatoes or rice gives you bland flavours to counteract the bold spices. For those seeking to learn how to cool down a spicy curry, a final tip is to use acidic flavours. Lemon juice, lime juice or vinegar can take away some of the intensity of chilli heat.

Typically, it is added to curry near the end of cooking. It prevents curry from curdling. Add the yogurt slowly and whisk it into the curry till it is fully incorporated. You should not let the curry boil once you have added it.

Even though coconut milk doesn't contain the same casein protein that magical ingredient in dairy that helps cool down spicy food it does contain plenty of fat, which helps to calm the heat in a dish and cool it down.

If you're a fan of Thai curries or Indian dishes like chicken tikka masala, canned coconut milk likely has a permanent spot on your grocery list. A few splashes add a creamy richness and nutty, slightly sweet flavor to everything from soups to desserts.

Coconut milk and cream are mostly interchangeable in recipes such as curries and soups. If you prefer a richer flavour and texture, try coconut cream or vice versa. However, be careful when substituting coconut milk and cream in baked goods.

For a rich and creamy curry, coconut milk or cream can be a fantastic thickening agent. They not only add creaminess but also a delightful tropical flavour. Simply pour in some coconut milk or cream and let it simmer until your sauce reaches the desired consistency.