Chettinad Pepper Chicken (Koli Milagu Masala)

Recipe Ingredients

		Spice Paste
8		Dried red chiles; broken- into halves up to 10
3 tablespoons	45ml	Coriander seeds
1 1/2 teaspoons	7.5ml	Fennel seeds
1 1/2 teaspoons	7.5ml	Black peppercorns
1 1/2 teaspoons	7.5ml	Poppy seeds
5		Garlic cloves; peeled and
		- roughly chopped
1		Fresh ginger;
		- peeled and roughly chopped
1/2 teaspoon	2.5ml	Ground turmeric
1 1/2 teaspoons	7.5ml	Salt; up to 2
5 tablespoons	75ml	Cooking oil
3		Bay leaves
5		Cardamom pods
1		Cinnamon stick - broken
1 teaspoon	5ml	Fennel seeds
3		Cloves
1 1/2 teaspoons	7.5ml	Dried lentils - yellow
2 teaspoons	10ml	Onions - peeled, chopped (medium)
1 teaspoon	5ml	Tomato - chopped (large)
2 1/2 lbs	1135g / 40oz	Chicken pieces

Recipe Instructions

1. Make the spice paste: heat 1 tablespoon of the oil over medium high heat in a small frying pan, when hot, add the chiles, coriander seeds, fennel seeds, black peppercorns and poppy seeds. Fry briefly until roasted. Put them in the spice grinder and grind to a powder. Empty the lot into a blender, ad the garlic, ginger, turmeric and salt to the blender, along with 6-8 tablespoons water. Blend until you have a smooth paste.

2. Heat the remaining oil in a large saucepan over medium high heat. When hot, add the bay leaves, cardamom pods, cinnamon, fennel seeds, cloves and lentils. Stir and fry briefly until the lentils turn reddish.

3. Add the onions and fry until they are soft.

4. Add the spice paste, fry for about five mins, adding water if necessary t stop it sticking.

5. Add the tomato, fry some more

6. Add the chicken and make sure it is well mixed in. Add about 2 cups of water - enough to cover. Bring to the boil, then simmer on low until chicken is cooked. - 20 mins

7. Get the chicken out with a slotted spoon, then reduce the sauce until it's very thick, by boiling it for about five mins. Add the chicken back in, stir for a minute or two, then serve (on boiled rice again, yummee)

Recipe adapted from Madhur Jaffrey's "A Taste of India"

Source:
Femina Magazine - J Indersingh Kalra

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