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Friday, May 28, 2010

Chicken Curry

I cannot count the number of failed attempts I have had with chicken curry. Finally here is a version which works for me without fail.

2 tablespoons yogurt
2 tablespoons coriander powder
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
1 teaspoon salt
4 cloves garlic
1 inch piece of ginger
5 chicken thighs, deskinned and chopped into bite size pieces

In a medium glass bowl, mix together yogurt with spices and salt. Grate the garlic and ginger (or, put in blender with a little water to make a paste), it should come to about 2 tablespoons combined. Add to yogurt mixture. Add the chicken pieces and coat well with the yogurt mixture. Marinate for 3o minutes to 2 hours.

1 tablespoon oil
1/4 teaspoon mustard seeds
1/4 teaspoon cumin seeds
4 whole cloves
3 whole cardamom pods
4 pieces cinnamon stick
2 cloves garlic, 1/2 inch ginger grated or blended together
1 1/2 onions (medium), sliced
5 roma tomatoes, chopped
1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
1 teaspoon fennel seeds and 1/2 teaspoon poppy seeds, dry roasted in a saute pan then ground (or you can keep them whole if you prefer)
cilantro

Heat oil in a saute pan. When hot add mustard and cumin seeds, cloves, cardamom and cinnamon stick. When mustard seeds "pop" (30-45 seconds), add ginger-garlic and saute for 30 seconds then add sliced onion and saute until onion is browned (be patient, this takes some time). When onion is cooked add chopped tomato. Continue cooking until tomato is soft and pulpy. Add salt and ground fennel and poppy seeds. Add marinated chicken (along with marinade) and stirfry for 5 minutes. Add 2 cups of water (or, per your taste), bring to boil then reduce heat, cover and simmer for 20 minutes or until chicken cooked all the way through. (If you want the liquid to reduce, simmer uncovered.) Garnish with cilantro leaves.

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