Dim Sum Recipe # 9: Chicken Curry Puffs

Without a doubt, there are many subjects that my mother-in-law and I don’t see eye to eye on. Luckily, our mutual love of cooking is what usually leads us back to friendlier, more lighthearted territory. Just when our conversations start heating up, I default to asking her about which recipes she’s been working on or meaning to try. She’s a talented and passionate cook, so this method of diversion works every time, and my hubby (who’s breathing a huge sigh of relief at this point) fully encourages it.

One of the specialties that my mother-in-law is well-known for are Chicken Curry Puffs, a spicy baked dim sum treat. My husband grew up on these, and they are hands down his favorite food. Anytime he realizes that there’s a tray of these flavorful puff pastry pockets coming out of the oven, my usually reserved hubby instantly becomes unabashedly greedy, like a grabby little kid.

The most common places to find Chinese-style curry puffs are dim sum restaurants and bakeries. During a dim sum tea lunch, the baked triangles arrive on the same cart that other baked goods like char siu bao and dan tat come rolled in on. If you get caught up in the chaos of yelling out your dim sum order, you might accidentally skip over these simple-looking pockets not realizing that they have a yummy, savory curry filling tucked inside.

My mother-in-law has a secret non-Chinese ingredient that she uses to give these puffs an extra boost of vibrant curry flavor–Thai red curry paste. Thai red curry paste is more pungent and hotter than plain curry powder is, and adds fullness, moisture, and a tinge of orangey color to the flavorful ground chicken filling.

If you are in the mood for buns instead of turnovers, you can easily swap out this filling for the pork filling in my Honeyed BBQ Pork Bun recipe. As always, don’t overfill turnovers and buns. This way, the filling and flavor stays put in the center of the pocket, right where it should be.A traditional drink to enjoy with these Chicken Curry Puffs is a bold, rich cup of fermented black Pu-erh tea, a brew strong enough to stand up to all the big aromatic curry flavors here. Another option is to serve these golden turnovers with a chilly glass of Thai Iced Tea. If you love the combination of sweet and spicy, this is an incredibly satisfying tea and food pairing that you really shouldn’t miss!

Dim Sum Recipe #9:  Chicken Curry Puffs

Makes 18 puffs.

Ingredients:

1 lb. ground chicken

3 Tbsp vegetable oil

1/2 brown onion, finely chopped

2 Tbsp red curry paste

2 Tbsp Asian curry powder

1/2 tsp salt

1 Tbsp soy sauce

1/2 tsp sesame oil

2 Tbsp sugar

1/4 tsp black pepper

1 Tbsp rice wine or sherry

1/4 cup chopped cilantro

3 green onions, green parts only, thinly sliced

1-1 lb package puff pastry, thawed

1 egg mixed with 1 tsp of water

2 Tbsp sesame seeds

Equipment:

large wok or skillet

large plate

work surface

2 large sheet pans fitted with parchment or silicone baking mats

1 Tbsp measure

pastry brush

Directions:

1.)  Heat 3 Tbsp of oil in a large wok on medium-high heat. Add the chopped onions, and cook for a few minutes until the onions are slightly softened. Add the curry paste, curry powder, and salt and cook for another few minutes until the onions are soft. Increase the heat to high then add the ground chicken, and mix in with the onions until thoroughly incorporated.

2.)  While the chicken is still cooking, add the soy, sesame oil, sugar, and black pepper and stir those ingredients in. When the chicken has fully cooked and is no longer pink, add the rice wine and let it cook out. Turn off the heat and place the chicken filling mixture on a large plate to cool.

3.)  When the filling has cooled to room temperature, mix in the chopped cilantro and sliced green onion.

4.)  Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Unfold the puff pastry out into one layer on a work surface. Cut into 9 equal squares, each about 3″ x 3″. Fill each square with 1 Tbsp of the filling, being careful not to overfill. Lightly dab the inner edges of the pastry square with water, then fold one side of the square onto the other to create a turnover. Pinch the edges together firmly to seal them. Place the turnovers on a large baking sheet, about 1″ apart from one another. Repeat this process for all 18 turnovers, placing 9 on each tray.

5.)  Brush each turnover with egg wash (an egg mixed with 1 tsp water), then sprinkle with sesame seeds. Bake turnovers for 15 to 17 minutes or until pastries are puffed and golden brown.

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Violets&Vanilla

Puffs are very popular back in India as well..people eat them at least 2-3 times a week mostly as an evening snack…this one here looks amazing..perfectly browned and flaky, and that filling,OMG!

Reply
Bonnie Eng

I’ve tried several versions of Indian curry puffs before and they are absolutely delicious! What’s not to love, right? Thank you so much for the very kind comment…Happy Thursday!!

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Jess

Bonnie these looks DELICIOUS! I could far too easily put away a whole plate of these puffsby myself.

I love Red curry paste- it’s great ingredient that packs such a punch. I liked reading this post- cooking/food is a topic that mostly everyone can agree on, right? 😉 Great post, great recipe <3

Reply
M

Puff pastry is so hard to make! and here in Chile it’s expensive, so I’ve only tried things like this when I buy them. it really looks delicious! and your mother-in-law… sounds like a great woman with an attitude ! haha great that she loves her cooking so much you can distract her with that 😛

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C.e.

These are lovely. I absolutely love pastries filled with riches of meats, spices, rices, beans, etc. So, so good!

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Bonnie Eng

Thank you so much C.e.! These are like the Asian version of empanadas, another one of my favorites! Not sure why, but food stuffed into little dumplings or pockets always seems so much more appealing. 🙂

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shootingvienna

I have never seen or heard of those curry puffs but I can imagine the great taste with thai tea! They look so delicious, no wonder your husband gets a bit greedy 😉

Reply
Bonnie Eng

Thank you Radhi! Can you imagine how incredible these would be made with your Homemade Puff Pastry!!? Ah, your hubby is so lucky! Hope he loves these. 🙂

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afracooking

I love making dim sum at home for long dinner parties with friends – ok that is not quite traditional, but I just love an evening filled with little morsels and bites. At the same timeI have never thought of making pastry puffs. These look adorable and I just love the original use of the thai curry!!

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Bonnie Eng

I totally agree…parties with small bites are the best–that way you can try everything! These are really quite easy to make, and the Thai curry makes them incredible. Thank you Afra!!

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Patty Nguyen

So I’m running out of words to describe your amazing posts, Bonnie. I’m going to start making up new vocab. So, these chicken puffs of yours? They are beautilicious–both beautiful and delicious in one adorable little package!

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Lokness

I always love the ones that are made with wonton skins. Your addition of Thai red curry is brilliant. Stronger flavors and nicer color! I need some of these now.

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Lokness

I have seen similar ones in freezer aisle in 99 Ranch supermarket in Alhambra area. They may be called “Samosa”, but they are different from the Indian ones. Tasty little fried snack!

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Dannie Mayhew

I just like the helpful info you provide in your articles. I will bookmark your blog and test once more right here frequently. I’m relatively sure I will be told plenty of new stuff proper here! Best of luck for the next!

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Ann

Using puff pastry for this recipe worked really well…beats having to make your own pastry dough. Served the curry puffs at a party and everyone loved them!

Reply
Bonnie Eng

Love how versatile puff pastry is! Thanks so much for dropping me a line, Ann! So great to know that the party-goers enjoyed them! 🙂

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