Red Curry Chicken Pasta

Ingredients 

• 200 grams boneless chicken, cut into thin strips
• 200 grams penne pasta , boiled
• 2 dried red chillies, seeded and soaked
• 2 inch lemon grass, chopped
• 6 shallots, chopped
• 7-8 garlic cloves, chopped
• 1 inch galangal, chopped
• 2 teaspoons coriander seeds
• 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
• 6 white peppercorns
• Salt to taste
• 2 tablespoons oil
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 cup chicken stock
• 3/4 cup coconut milk
• 1/2 teaspoon red chilli powder
• 20 fresh basil leaves
• 1/2 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon grated lemon zest 

Method

1. To make red curry paste, blend together red chillies, lemon grass, shallots, 4-5 garlic cloves, galangal, coriander seeds, cumin seeds, white peppercorns and salt to a smooth paste.
2. Heat oil and butter in a non-stick pan, add the remaining garlic, prepared red curry paste and sauté for a minute. Add chicken strips and 1 cup chicken stock and cook till done.
3. Add penne pasta and mix well. Add coconut milk, remaining chicken stock, red chilli powder, mix well and cook for 2-3 minutes.
4. Add torn basil leaves, lemon juice and lemon zest to the pasta and salt. Mix well.
5. Serve hot.