Nagaland Naga Chicken Axone Fermented Soybean Light Curry

Ingredients

• 700g chicken — bone-in pieces
• 2 tbsp axone (fermented soybean)
• 4 garlic cloves — crushed
• 1 inch ginger — sliced
• 1 to 2 dried Naga chillies
• 1.5 cups water
• Salt

Method

1. Place chicken in a pot with 1.5 cups water. Bring to a boil. Skim foam.
2. Add crushed garlic, sliced ginger and Naga chillies.
3. Cover and cook on medium for 20 minutes.
4. Add axone. Stir well — the axone dissolves into the broth creating a dark, pungent, deeply savoury base.
5. Continue simmering covered on medium-low for 12 to 15 more minutes until chicken is completely tender.
6. Uncover. Cook 5 minutes to concentrate slightly.
7. Season with salt. The broth should be intensely savoury from the axone.