Red or Green Thai Curry

You can add other things (holy basil, fish sauce,
chopped hot Thai chiles, lemon grass, galanga, shrimp paste, etc.).

2 T red or green curry paste (use more for hotter curry; Mae Ploy brand
is excellent
3 T vegetable oil
3/4 lb boneless chicken meat, cut into 3/4-inch pieces
2 cans (unsweetened) coconut milk (approx. 3 c in all)
1 c water or chicken broth
1/2 c baby corns
1/2 c straw mushrooms (or substitute other mushroom of your choice)
1/2 c sliced bamboo shoots
5 kaffir lime leaves (dried are fine; these are available in packages
on the bottom -- usually dusty -- shelf of the Asian market; they
look like dried, curled-up leaves)
1/2 t salt (more or less to taste)
if green curry, 10 fresh basil leaves
if red curry, 1/2 red bell pepper, cut into matchstick-size strips

Fry curry paste in oil in saucepan until fragrant. Add chicken (if
using) and saute for about 1 minute over medium high heat. Add
remaining ingredients except basil leaves or red bell pepper. Bring
just barely to a boil; reduce heat and simmer 20-30 minutes. Just
before serving, stir in basil leaves or red bell pepper. Serve with
cooked Thai Jasmine rice.