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Tharavu mappas
Duck curry in coconut milk
Duck mappas: Kerala's Christmas duck curry in coconut milk with ginger and pepper
In Kerala's Syrian Christian homes, Christmas morning starts after midnight Mass with lacy appam and a bowl of duck mappas: duck pieces simmered in coconut milk with ginger, garlic, green chilli, black pepper and garam masala, finished with a splash of vinegar and fried shallots. It is creamy, warm with spice but not fiery, and a favourite across Kuttanad, where ducks are raised on the backwaters. Chef's tip: add the thick first-press coconut milk only at the end and don't boil it, so the gravy stays silky.
- Total time
- 100 min
- Difficulty
- medium
- Serves
- 6
Ingredients
For the duck
- 3 ⅓ lb duck legs and breastsin curry pieces, skin trimmed
- ½ tsp ground turmeric
- 1 tsp black pepperfreshly ground
- 1 ½ tsp salt
For the gravy
- 3 tbsp coconut oil
- 10 shallotssliced
- 2 in gingerjulienned
- 6 cloves garlicsliced
- 4 green chilliesslit
- 2 sprigs curry leaves
- 2 tbsp ground coriander
- 1 tsp Kashmiri chilli powder
- 1 tsp garam masala
- 2 potatoescubed
- 1 ¾ cups thin coconut milk
- ¾ cup thick coconut milk
- 1 tbsp vinegar
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Method
0/6 doneStep 1: Rub 3 ⅓ lb duck legs and breasts with ½ tsp ground turmeric, 1 tsp black pepper and 1 ½ tsp salt and leave for 20 minutes.
Step 2: Heat 3 tbsp coconut oil in a heavy pot and fry 10 shallots for 8 minutes until golden. Lift out half to garnish. Add 2 in ginger, 6 cloves garlic, 4 green chillies and 2 sprigs curry leaves and fry for 2 minutes.
10 minStep 3: Lower the heat and stir in 2 tbsp ground coriander, 1 tsp Kashmiri chilli powder and 1 tsp garam masala for 30 seconds, until fragrant, without burning.
Step 4: Add the duck and stir for 5 minutes to coat. Pour in 1 ¾ cups thin coconut milk, cover and simmer for 45 minutes. Add 2 potatoes and simmer for 15 minutes more, until the duck is tender and 165°F in the thickest piece.
65 minStep 5: Skim off excess fat, then stir in ¾ cup thick coconut milk and 1 tbsp vinegar and heat through for 2–3 minutes without boiling. A common mistake is boiling the thick coconut milk, which splits the gravy.
3 minStep 6: Scatter with the reserved shallots and serve with appam or rice.
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 560 kcal
- Protein
- 32 g
- Carbs
- 12 g
- Fat
- 42 g
- Fibre
- 2 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does tharavu mappas take?
- About 100 minutes in total: 25 minutes to prepare and 75 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 6 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it gluten free?
- Yes, as written. Check the labels on stock, sauces and spice mixes, which sometimes contain gluten.
- What can I use instead of ground turmeric?
- Leave it out (it mostly adds colour).
- What can I use instead of shallots?
- Half an onion per 2 shallots.
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