Ayam Masak Merah (Chicken in Spicy Tomato Sauce)

Since Raya mood is in the air, decided to make some tomato rice, ayam masak merah and cucumber salad. We had some friends come over and they seemed to enjoy the food, so it must have been good :)

Ingredients:
Chicken - 1 cut into small pieces
Dried chilies - 20 soaked
Galangal - 2 inch piece
Ginger - 2 inch piece
Onion - 2
Lemongrass - 5 stalks
Garlic - 5 cloves
Star anise - 4
Cardamons - 3
Cloves - 5
Cinnamon stick - 1
Tomato soup - 1/2 can
Coconut milk - 1/2 can
Turmeric - 1 tsp
Spring onions - 1stalk
Salt to taste

Marinate the chicken pieces with turmeric and salt. Set aside for 1/2 hr then deep fry til golden brown.
Blend onion, garlic, ginger, lemongrass, galangal and chilies to a fine paste.
Heat some oil and stir fry star anise, cardamons, cinnamon and cloves until fragrant.
Add in the blended paste and increase the heat until the mixture bubbles. Reduce the flame and let it simmer until the oil is separated from the paste (pecah minyak).
Add in tomato soup, coconut milk and chicken. Stir well and let it simmer until the gravy thickens.
Season with salt and garnish with some spring onions before serving!