Ayam Masak Lemak Cili Padi (Malaysian Chicken Curry with Bird’s Eye Chilli)

Coat the chicken pieces with the turmeric and salt. Set aside while you get all the other ingredients ready.
1 kg chicken portions, 1 tsp turmeric powder, 1 tsp salt
Cut the lemongrass in half, discarding the top half. Using the back of the knife, pound down on the base (bulbous end) of the lemongrass to split it roughly. This is called bruising the lemongrass. Set aside.
1 stalk lemongrass
Make a paste with the tamarind pulp and water. Mix well with your fingers. Strain through a medium mesh sieve and set aside.
2 Tbsp tamarind pulp OR 1 Tbsp lime juice OR 1 Tbsp clear vinegar, 4 Tbsp water
Place all the ingredients to be ground in a chopper and chop to a fine paste.
1 small clove garlic, 10 green bird's eye chillies, 5 red bird's eye chillies, 2.5 cm fresh turmeric OR ½ tsp turmeric powder, 1 red onion

Heat the oil in a large saucepan or wok on medium-high heat and brown the chicken pieces for about 5 minutes. Sprinkle the sugar over the chicken as you add the chicken to the saucepan/wok. You may have to brown the chicken in 2 batches, depending on the size of your pan. In that case, tip the first half onto a plate and do the second batch before going on to step 2. Divide the oil and sugar in 2, as well. You don't really need much oil to brown the chicken.
1 Tbsp vegetable or peanut oil, ½ tsp white sugar
When the chicken has taken on some colour, tip in the ground paste and the lemongrass and fry for 2 minutes, coating the chicken well.
Pour in the coconut milk, reserving about 2 Tbsp of the thick cream at the top. Also add the lime leaves, if using. If you are lucky enough to have freshly squeezed coconut milk, add only the second and third pressings, reserving the thick coconut milk to finish off. Stir well and reduce the heat to medium.
400 ml canned coconut milk OR equivalent amount from 1 coconut, 4 kaffir lime leaves
Bring everything to a gentle boil and then lower the heat down and cook, uncovered, for 30 minutes, until your chicken is cooked.
When done, check seasoning and add more salt, if needed. That's it, dish up with some plain rice and a side vegetable dish.