Wednesday, August 20, 2014

Chicken Fry (1)

Today’s recipe is one of many chicken fry variations. Ginger and curry leaves add a distinct flavor to this dish.


For Precooking
2 lbs Chicken (with bone or boneless)
1 – 2 tsp of red chili powder (adjust to taste)
½ tsp turmeric
1 tbsp coriander powder
1 tsp cumin powder
1 tbsp oil
Salt to taste

For Saute
1 large onion
2 inches on ginger
8 flakes of garlic
3 springs of curry leaves
6 green chilies slit in halves
4 tbsp oil
Salt to taste
1 ½ tsp of garam masala
Handful of chopped coriander leaves

For Seasoning
½ tsp mustard seeds
½ tsp cumin seeds
1 red chili broken

Mix chicken with chili powder, turmeric, coriander powder, cumin powder, salt, oil and set it on heat. If there is no moisture at all, add very little water (less then ¼ cup). Cook on medium to high heat. Do not slow cook, it makes the chicken hard. Cook until 80% of the moisture is evaporated. Remove from heat and set it aside.

Blend onions, ginger, garlic and curry leaves into a coarse paste. Just pulse it couple times in blender, it should be chunky.

Heat oil in a wide pan, add seasoning, when it starts to splutter add green chilies followed by the chunky onion paste. Add turmeric and salt and sauté until the onions loose the raw smell.

Add chicken and sauté for about 10 minutes on medium heat until it gets a nice golden brown hue.

Add garam masala of your choice, store bought ones like kitchen king or chicken masala are a good option.

Add coriander leaves mix will and remove from heat.

Enjoy it as a side dish to your Indian meal. 

Wednesday, August 13, 2014

Kale Pappu - Kale with lentils (Kale Dal)


After a looong hiatus, I am planning on reviving the blog with Kale Dal.

Nutrition rich kale combined with protein rich dal is both healthy and delicious.



Ingredients
1 cup toor dal
3 tightly packed cups of chopped kale
½ a small onion chopped thin and long
2 – 3 green chilies slit (adjust to taste)
3 tsp oil
Juice of one lime
¼ tsp Turmeric
¼ tsp red chili powder (optional)
Salt to taste

Seasoning
½ tsp mustard
½ tsp cumin
1 red chili broken
Pinch of asafetida
1 spring curry leaves

Cook dal in pressure cooker
Heat oil in a large pan, add seasoning followed by onions and green chilies and sauté.
When onions are half done add kale and sauté till it wilts.
Add turmeric, red chili powder and salt.
Add the cooked dal, add water to get it to stew consistency.
Cook until the dal and kale blended well together.
Add lemon juice after you remove dal from heat.

Cooking time of kale can be adjusted to your choice. I do not like to over cook onions and kale. It gives a nice texture to the dish.


Enjoy it with hot rice and ghee. For a carb free meal try adding little more water while cooking and eat it as a soup.