Hi everyone. My name is Joanne and I have been a cainophobe for 22 years, 9 months, and 5 days.

Step 1 to recovery: Admit that you have a problem.

Step 2 to recovery: Define cainophobe so that your readers don’t think that you have contracted some disease that is endemic to the third world or have come down with some rare recessive genetic disorder that for some reason has only manifested itself now.

Cainophobia – fear of change.

Step 3 to recovery – Talk about your problem. At length. In excruciating detail. To anyone who will listen. No, really, it will help.

Tyler Florence Fridays was one of the first blog events I ever participated in. I think I first saw it on Sidewalk Shoes, which I had both secretly (pre-blog) and publicly (post-blog) been reading religiously for a few months. Being a huge Food Network fan, I of course knew who Tyler was (my roommate and I commonly referred to him as “the cute one” when we rehashed our most and least favorite FN stars over dinner at least once every two weeks) and had a great admiration for his recipes.

And so less than a month into blogging, even though my pictures were terrible and my cooking skills were mediocre at best, I decided to enter into the world of the TFF-ers. And boy am I glad I did. Doing so has introduced me to some of my favorite bloggers out there (Donna, Reeni, Natashya, Deb, Kim, Megan and all the rest of you out there – I would list you all but I fear that readers today have about a 6-name attention span), who inspire me to become a better cook on a daily basis. It has also spurred me to do some crazy things in the kitchen. Like bake pies. And make gnocchi. And attempt to cook dinner for my parents. And for that I am eternally grateful.

Then, just a few weeks ago, in the midst of my obliviousness, it was brought to my attention that TFF had a set end date, and that that set end date was only 3 weeks away. Needless to say, I was traumatized. I lay in bed, comatose, for about a week. Listening to emo and declaring to whoever would listen that the world was probably going to end on October 30th. I ate chocolate and refused to wash my hair or put on make-up.

It was rough.

But eventually, I realized that all the while I was doing this, time was passing uncontrollably. And I had not given even the slightest bit of thought to what recipe I was going to contribute to last round-up.

And the only thing more tragic than there being a last round-up would be for there to be a last round-up and then for me to not participate in it.

So I looked at my master list of Tyler recipes that I still want to make.

And ruminated.

Every week when I am first starting to menu plan (I go grocery shopping on Wednesdays. Menu planning for the next week begins on Thursday morning, as soon as I wake up) I tell myself that this is the week I will make Indian food. And every week, it gets pushed aside.

Not anymore.

For my final TFF entry, I decided to make Tyler’s Spicy Chicken Coconut Curry. It was filled with incredible amounts of flavor and satisfied my constant craving for Indian food. The only things I changed were to use chicken thighs instead of breasts and to add in some bell pepper and some cauliflower.

And with that, I bid adieu to Tyler Florence Fridays. It was good while it lasted. And I will always look back on these times. And salivate. With a smile on my face.
So just some random things before I give you the recipe.

Happy (almost) Halloween to everyone! Yes, I am dressing up. Yes, my costume is both homemade and food related.

The medical school is having a party tonight and it is going to be insane. There will be pictures. I swear.

Also, the NY marathon is this weekend! And I am running the last 10 miles of it with my friend Alan! It’s gonna be fun…

Finally, I want to thank SEDenufood for lavishing me with 4 beautiful awards (the Kreativ Blogger, One Lovely Blog, Yum-Yum Blog, and This Blog Was Awarded A Giant Bear Hug awards) and Nat of Girls Are Made Of for the Kreativ Blogger Award. You guys are awesome! I will pass them on in my next entry since I am running late and need to get ready for class!
Spicy Chicken Coconut Curry
Serves 4, adapted from Tyler Florence

  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 2 medium onions, chopped
  • 1-inch piece ginger, peeled and finely chopped
  • 4 garlic cloves, finely chopped
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 2 tablespoons garam masala
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • 2 dried red chiles
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 (15-ounce) cans lite coconut milk
  • 2 cups chicken stock
  • 4 tomatoes, seeded and chopped
  • 1 1/2 lb chicken thighs
  • 1/4 cup cilantro leaves, plus more for garnish
  • 1 lemon, juiced
  • 1 red bell pepper
  • 1 huge head cauliflower

Preheat the oven to 425. Spread the cauliflower out on a baking sheet and roast for 15 minutes.

Heat the butter in a large heavy-bottomed pot over medium-low heat. Add the onions, ginger, and garlic and cook slowly until the onions are very soft, about 15 minutes. Add the tomato paste, curry powder, cinnamon stick, and chiles and give it a good stir; season with salt and pepper. Pour in the coconut milk and chicken stock and bring it back to a simmer; cook until the sauce has thickened, about 20 minutes, adding in the chopped red pepper about halfway through. Add the tomatoes, chicken, cilantro, and half the lemon juice; continue to simmer until the chicken is cooked through, about 10 to 15 minutes. Taste and adjust the seasoning with lemon juice, salt and pepper. Serve over the cauliflower and brown rice.

You are reading this post on Eats Well With Others at https://joanne-eatswellwithothers.com. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to the author and or owner of Eats Well With Others. All rights reserved by Joanne Bruno.
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31 Responses to A Farewell to Tyler – Spicy Chicken Coconut Curry

  1. Ruth Daniels says:

    Great post! I’m still chuckling. And, frankly I can’t think of any dessert I’d eat day after day. And although I’ve said, if “on a desert island, with only one food to eat…blah, blah” I’d choose lobster. But realistically, I love most foods too much to want to be stuck with just one. So thank goodness for variety! And thanks for making me think 😉

  2. Nat says:

    Good Luck with the marathon this weekend Joanna, I will be rooting for you and hoping these clear skies last. Also, this curry looks perfect. Its always nice to reminisce about how you started off in the kitchen… I do that all the time :)….

    Can’t wait to see that Halloween costume : ) …hope you have a rollicking time !

  3. Amy says:

    This is why I can’t/won’t commit to participating in any of the blog events…regularly. Too much pressure! And then look at what happens when they end. But it sounds like it’s been a fabulous ride for you, Joanne. I am certain you’ll find something to replace it with 😉

    I’m diggin’ that coconut curry. Always looking for simple, but tasty chicken dishes.

    BEST of luck to you this weekend. Although, I seriously doubt you need the luck.

  4. SE(Denufood) says:

    hey..all the best for your weekend marathon..and the curry looks really yummy…

  5. Mari says:

    What a great dish to bid farewell to TFF…

    good luck this weekend at the marathon =)

  6. Denise says:

    What a way to say goodbye!!! Looks awesome

  7. This dish looks very good! I adore Tyler Florence recipes. You did a great job!

  8. oh no … but food friends will stick around and visit often

    And this looks great. How kind of you to help your friend finish. Best of luck with that

  9. Graziana says:

    great post!
    I’m looking forward for the Halloween party pictures…

  10. Megan says:

    So glad that I was able to “meet” you through TFF – and although we may not be an official group anymore, I will continue to stop by and see what you’ve got going on.

    Besides, I am living vicariously through you since you’re in Manhattan….. and I’m not.

  11. I didn’t know it was ending — it’s been so much fun to see everyone’s posts. Good luck in the marathon!

  12. I love chicken curry, this looks so wonderful. Thanks so much for your kindnesses and participation in TFF.
    Have a great party but don’t drink too much – you don’t want to run on a hangover!

  13. Pam says:

    The same thing happened to me. I have all these Tyler recipes waiting in the wings!

  14. This comment has been removed by the author.

  15. I didn’t know it was ending either! I guess I always assumed it would be there – I feel all warm and fuzzy when I think of it. All good thing must end, so cliche but true. Thanks so much – I didn’t know you found me that way – it was nice to see my name there. You picked a great recipe – it looks so warming and comforting! I didn’t realize you were running another marathon – my best wishes and thoughts run with you!

  16. Sophia says:

    Aw…too bad…But that is quite an amazing recipe…Farewell, TFF! You’ll be missed, but not forgotten, esp since Joanne ended it with a big BANG!
    p.s. What is next?

  17. Debinhawaii says:

    Your curry looks delicious! Thanks for the kind words–it has been a complete pleasure getting to know you. I too am sad we are ending TFF but hope to see you over at IHCC (Nigella likes curries too!)

  18. Donna-FFW says:

    Coconut curry ..what a way to end Tylers run.. YOU are one of my favorite bloggers too!!

    Take it easy sunday, you do so much! Have fun at your party! Have 3 for me, K?

  19. teresa says:

    what a wonderful way to say farewell! this looks delicious! have a great halloween!

  20. Palidor says:

    Oh, that looks super yum! I love coconut and I love curry. Have fun tonight!

  21. Kim says:

    What a great post Joanne. I think you were able to sum up the ways I feel about TFF. I love everyone while participating and have made some great friends through that group. I’m glad for you that you finally got to do a curry at home. It looks so colorful and delicious! I hope you have a great time for Halloween. I’ll be waiting to see the pictures. I’m curious about what you’re dressing up as.

  22. Do you have any idea how many cainophobes just found out what they are?

    I love this recipe and I am going to add it to my list of those recipes by Tyler, I never got to.

    Good luck in New York. We all will be cheering you on.

    Thanks for this fantastic post. You do have a way with words and with humor.

  23. I just saw your comment on flourless cakes. I want to point you in a better direction.

    If you do anything flourless, try this.

    http://comfycook.wordpress.com/2009/09/11/flourless-brownies-the-best/

  24. Oh my! I think I have died and gone to culinary heaven! This looks delicious! I’d have it for breakfast if it were really right in front of me now. That’s the only problem with food TV and blogs – no samples! It’s just not right!

    Hope your Halloween was fun, looking forward to the photos.

    I’d like to throw one more thing your way – We’d like for you to come over to the Krazy Kitchen to be a guest host. Email me! 🙂

  25. Kerstin says:

    Love all the layer of flavor in this curry – yum!

  26. monicajane says:

    I love Indian too…that curry sounds great…love the spice/herb combo…

  27. Jen says:

    wait, why is he ending that?

    that looks so delicious! I LOVE Indian food!

    Hope your 10 miles was fun :0)

  28. Michelle says:

    I’m going to miss TFF but I’m making a Tyler recipe tonight!

  29. Hello! Just stopping by to let you know I made this curry and blogged about it last night 🙂 It was really lovely and turned out just as i hoped, thank you
    If you are interested heres the link to the post…
    http://theprocrastobaker.blogspot.com/2011/07/spicy-chicken-coconut-curry.html
    Thank you again, i will continue to make your lovely recipes with confidence 🙂

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