Curry help needed !!!

[hammerman]

Hi guys

For the second week running, when making a curry, the natural greek yoghurt has split.

I fry chicken breast with some veg oil, curry paste and lots of spices until brown and then add the Greek yoghurt. I also add some lime juice and honey at this point.

The yoghurt splits within half a minute and i can't work out for the life of me why.

Can someone please tell me where i'm going wrong and can anyone tell me why dairy products split and how to prevent it.

Many thanks in advance

Andy

[barb1314]

Hi Andy,all I can think (going back many years to catering college) is that it may be the addition of the lime juice (acid) to yoghurt at a high temperature. I seem to remember something like you can only add acid when the dish has gone a bit cooler.It's all very hazy but hope it may help you! Will ask at my work and get back next week.

[hammerman]

Thanks barb...that will be most appreciated

[cruella]

Hi Andy
You have done it again!! lol
I think barb is right in saying that lime juice could split the yoghurt, but I still think you are adding it to a pan of food that is too hot. You also have to simmer very gently when you are cooking with creams or yoghurts. Thick creams and yoghurts are the best for cooking and if you simmer, then they should not split. Also, add the yoghurt just before the end of cooking time.
Enjoy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[BBWCHATT]

I think it may be that you are using too high a cooking temperature - a low simmer should keep it from happening I think.

[barb1314]

Hi again Andy,I asked a chef today.It is the heat apparently,not so much the lime juice. To prevent curdling add some starch to the yoghurt,a tablespoon of flour to each cupful of yoghurt is the ratio. Also, to help even more,instead of adding the cold yoghurt to the hot sauce,add a couple of spoons of the sauce to the yoghurt to warm it up and then stir and add back to the pan.This'll be more gentle!This makes me hungry....hope you get some success with this.Barb

[hammerman]

Thanks barb....and everyone else.

I'll let you know if my next effort is a success !!!

[chinois]

I dont think lime's acidic barb