Cut chicken
into joints. Boil whole chilies in a small amount of water for 2
minutes. Drain.
remove seeds
if you don't want a very hot curry.
Put
desiccated coconut into a heavy frying pan and fry on medium heat,
stirring constantly, until it becomes a rich, dark brown. Immediately
turn it on to a plate, for it will burn if left in the pan.
When coconut
has cooled slightly put it into the container of an electric blender,
grind finely, then add about half cup of the coconut milk and blend
again on high speed for 1 minute.
Set the
coconut mixture aside in a bowl, and without washing blender container,
put in the chilies, onions, garlic, belachan, turmeric, coriander,
cumin and sliced lemon grass or lemon rind.
Blend to a
puree. The water content of the onions should be enough to turn the
mixture to a puree but if necessary add a tablespoon of the peanut oil.
Heat
remaining oil in a large saucepan and fry the onion mixture on low heat,
stirring constantly, until moisture evaporates and oil shows around
edge.