Kari Debal is a specialty of the Portuguese Eurasian community in Malaysia and Singapore. It is a fiery chicken dish usually served during Christmas.
Kari Debal or Devil Curry is the specialty of the Kristang people, the Portuguese Eurasian community in Malaysia and Singapore dating back to the Portuguese conquest of Malacca in 1511. There are all kinds of theories about the interesting name of this curry and most assumed that it has to do with its very spiciness. That notion is further reinforced by the fiery coloration of the curry coming from the grounded red chilies in the gravy.
Devil Curry is a mainstay of Christmas. As far as I can tell, it is usually cooked with chicken and potatoes. My dear friend, Denise of Singapore Shiok! who is Kristang shared an interesting insight into family traditions around this dish. Apparently in the old days, this curry was commonly prepared the day after Christmas with leftover meats from the holiday feast. As such, it may defer slightly in composition from family to family. Since it is greatly anticipated by everyone, the modern day practice is to cook it for the Christmas feast itself. Leftovers are simulated by marinating and precooking the meats before adding it to the curry.
Fortunately for me, I did not have to wait until Christmas to taste this dish. During my visit back to Malaysia to see my parents last summer, I stopped by Singapore on my homeward journey. Denise had graciously invited me and another blogger friend, Shirley to her house for dinner. I spent a delightful and delicious day with both of them. Two of the dishes Denise made for dinner was this delicious Curry Devil and the renown Sugee Cake, both of which I have not eaten since my childhood. What a treat for me! Denise did kindly reduce the spiciness level for my sake. 🙂
I was anxious to cook this curry for the family when I got home. I have made it several times since as we thoroughly enjoy it. I did reduce the amount of spices used and substituted the bird’s eye chili with just one habanero pepper. I will tell you that my rendition is still pretty spicy but it is so shiok! Many thanks, Denise for this wonderful recipe!
The recipe below was adapted from Singapore Shiok!.
Kari Debal is a specialty of the Portuguese Eurasian community in Malaysia and Singapore. It is a fiery chicken dish usually served during Christmas.
- 4 lbs chicken thighs (fat trimmed) (1.8kg)
- 1/3 cup vegetable oil (80ml)
- 1 onion (peeled and thinly sliced)
- 1 inch ginger (peeled and julienned)
- 5 medium potatoes (peeled and cut into bite size pieces)
- 1 tsp Colman’s mustard powder
- 1 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1 packet chicken or beef smokies (cocktail sausages) (14 oz/396g)
- 2 cups water (480ml)
- ½ tsp sugar
- 2 tsp salt
- 2 tbsp white vinegar
- 10 red jalapeno chilies
- 1 habanero pepper (optional)
- 2 large onions (peeled)
- 3 inch ginger (peeled) (3oz/90g)
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Lightly sprinkle some salt and pepper onto chicken pieces. Place on a baking tray and roast in a 375°F (190°C) oven for 50 minutes. Remove and set aside.
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Blend all spice paste ingredients with as little water as possible into a fine paste.
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Heat vegetable oil in a large heavy pot over medium heat. Add sliced onions and julienne ginger. Fry until lightly brown and fragrant, about 3 minutes.
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Add spice paste and continuously stir until fragrant and oil separates, about 8 to 10 minutes.
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Stir in potatoes. Sprinkle over mustard powder and chili pepper.
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Add chicken or beef smokies and stir well to ensure they are well coated with spices.
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Pour in 2 cups (480ml) water, reduce heat, and allow it to simmer for about 10 minutes.
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Add sugar and salt followed by roast chicken pieces. Stir to get chicken coated with gravy. Allow it to simmer for another 10 minutes until chicken and potatoes are tender.
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Stir in vinegar and turn off heat.
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Serve with steamed rice.
So spicy yet so delicious! Give it a try! Incidentally, today January 16th is International Hot & Spicy Food Day…YAY! 😀
Enjoy…..and have a wonderful day! 😎
denise @ singapore shiok says
January 16, 2013 at 7:20 amHo ho ho!!! Merry… oops! LOL Sorry – got a bit confused 😉 Woweee! That’s a very pretty devil curry. You certainly have reduced the spice level, but it still looks very fiery! To be honest, your photos are making me crave it again 😀 Think I may cook this during the weekend. It’s been a hectic week, so I’ll reward myself with a pot of this and a few loaves of roti Perancis on Saturday 🙂 Thanks so much for the shout out and for all the links!! Next time you’re in town you MUST teach me how to flute karipap, Ok?
Biren says
January 23, 2013 at 2:22 pmThis dish is still pretty spicy after reducing the spice level. I could probably up it a little but that would mean I will be the only one eating it. Yup, we can certainly flute karipap the next time I visit. I have not made it in ages.
Haruna says
January 16, 2013 at 9:42 amThis looks so “karaku oishii” (spicy-delicious in Japanese)!
Biren says
January 23, 2013 at 2:23 pmThanks Haruna! 🙂
Ramona says
January 16, 2013 at 11:47 amI love a spicy curry and this one fits the bill. Looks great. 🙂
Biren says
January 23, 2013 at 2:25 pmThanks Ramona! I love it spicy too!
mjskit says
January 16, 2013 at 9:47 pmI haven’t had those little smokies in ages! Bobby’s mom use to always have them and I loved them. I can see how they would be delicious in this curry. With the chicken, the smokies and the potatoes, this is definitely comfort food!!!
Biren says
January 23, 2013 at 2:28 pmMy boys love those little smokies and I usually buy them around the holidays as a treat. 🙂
wok with ray says
January 17, 2013 at 1:45 pmIt made me chuckle a bit that this dish is a Christmas dish because of the name, hehe. It is making me salivate no matter how spicy it is. Love the color.
~ ray ~
Biren says
January 23, 2013 at 2:31 pmI know what you mean and it did strike me as odd too. However, it really is a very tasty especially if you like spicy dishes.
Dongxing says
January 20, 2013 at 12:20 pmInteresting! Now I know what devil curry is. I am bookmarking this to make one weekend. It looks really delicious.
Biren says
January 23, 2013 at 2:34 pmIf you like it spicy, this is the dish for you. definitely cook something else for the kids. I have already reduced the spice level considerably here and reducing it any further will make it lose its namesake.
PolaM says
January 23, 2013 at 2:01 pmI wish I had tasted this in Malaysia! You have a lot of good food in that part of the world!
Biren says
January 23, 2013 at 2:36 pmAs far as I know, this is dish is seldom found in restaurants but I am glad to hear you enjoyed the food in Malaysia. 🙂