Jungle chicken curry with rice recipe
 This budget version of a Thai jungle chicken curry is packed with healthy veggies. Feel free to customise as you like. 5 makrut lime leaves (frozen, fresh or dried)½ chicken stock cube, dissolved in 300ml/10½fl oz just-boiled water 275g/9¾oz long-grain or basmati rice2 tbsp sunflower oil2 chicken breasts, boned, skinned, cut into small pieces1 large red pepper, cored, deseeded and cut into 2cm/¾in chunks200g/7oz fine green beans, trimmed, halved lengthways200g/7oz baby corn, trimmed, halved diagonally2 tbsp Thai red curry paste1 tbsp Thai fish sauce (nam pla)2 tsp cornflour50g/1¾oz fresh spinach leaveslarge handful fresh basil leaves (optional) 5 makrut lime leaves (frozen, fresh or dried) ½ chicken stock cube, dissolved in 300ml/10½fl oz just-boiled water 275g/9¾oz long-grain or basmati rice 2 tbsp sunflower oil 2 chicken breasts, boned, skinned, cut into small pieces 1 large red pepper, cored, deseeded and cut into 2cm/¾in chunks 200g/7oz fine green beans, trimmed, halved lengthways 200g/7oz baby corn, trimmed, halved diagonally 2 tbsp Thai red curry paste 1 tbsp Thai fish sauce (nam pla) 2 tsp cornflour 50g/1¾oz fresh spinach leaves large handful fresh basil leaves (optional) Method Stir the lime leaves in to the stock and set aside to infuse. Meanwhile, half-fill a large saucepan with water and bring to the boil. Add the rice, stir well and return to the boil, then cook according to the packet instructions. Heat the oil in a large non-stick frying pan or wok over a high heat. Add the chicken, red pepper, green beans and baby sweetcorn and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes. Add the curry paste and cook for a further 1-2 minutes. Add the stock, lime leaves and fish sauce, bring the mixture to the boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for 2-3 minutes, or until the vegetables are just tender. In a small bowl, whisk the cornflour with 1 tbsp cold water to form a smooth paste. Whisk into the curry and continue to simmer for 4-5 minutes, or until the curry sauce has thickened slightly. Stir in the spinach and continue to simmer until just wilted. Stir in the basil leaves just before serving. Discard the lime leaves.To serve, drain the rice and spoon it onto serving plates. Top each portion with a ladleful of the curry. Stir the lime leaves in to the stock and set aside to infuse. Stir the lime leaves in to the stock and set aside to infuse. Meanwhile, half-fill a large saucepan with water and bring to the boil. Add the rice, stir well and return to the boil, then cook according to the packet instructions. Meanwhile, half-fill a large saucepan with water and bring to the boil. Add the rice, stir well and return to the boil, then cook according to the packet instructions. Heat the oil in a large non-stick frying pan or wok over a high heat. Add the chicken, red pepper, green beans and baby sweetcorn and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes. Heat the oil in a large non-stick frying pan or wok over a high heat. Add the chicken, red pepper, green beans and baby sweetcorn and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes. Add the curry paste and cook for a further 1-2 minutes. Add the curry paste and cook for a further 1-2 minutes. Add the stock, lime leaves and fish sauce, bring the mixture to the boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for 2-3 minutes, or until the vegetables are just tender. Add the stock, lime leaves and fish sauce, bring the mixture to the boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for 2-3 minutes, or until the vegetables are just tender. In a small bowl, whisk the cornflour with 1 tbsp cold water to form a smooth paste. Whisk into the curry and continue to simmer for 4-5 minutes, or until the curry sauce has thickened slightly. In a small bowl, whisk the cornflour with 1 tbsp cold water to form a smooth paste. Whisk into the curry and continue to simmer for 4-5 minutes, or until the curry sauce has thickened slightly. Stir in the spinach and continue to simmer until just wilted. Stir in the basil leaves just before serving. Discard the lime leaves. Stir in the spinach and continue to simmer until just wilted. Stir in the basil leaves just before serving. Discard the lime leaves. To serve, drain the rice and spoon it onto serving plates. Top each portion with a ladleful of the curry. To serve, drain the rice and spoon it onto serving plates. Top each portion with a ladleful of the curry. Recipe tips The chicken can be swapped for thin strips of frying steak or pork tenderloin. You can also substitute the fresh vegetables with a bag of frozen mixed stir-fry vegetables.