Chettinad Pepper Chicken Recipe Courtesy Of Madhur Jaffrey

CHETTINAD PEPPER CHICKEN RECIPE COURTESY OF MADHUR JAFFREY

Steps:

• Make the spice paste: In a small frying pan, heat 1 tablespoon of oil over a medium-high heat. When hot, add cumin seeds, chillies, coriander seeds, fennel seeds, black peppercorns and poppy seeds. Stir and fry briefly until lightly roasted. Put these into a large coffee grinder and grind to a powder. Empty into the container of an electric blender. Add garlic, ginger, tumeric and salt to the blender as well, along with 6 to 8 tablespoons of water. Process until you have a fine paste, pushing down with a rubber spatula if needed.
• Heat remaining 4 tablespoons of oil in a large saucepan over a medium to high heat. When hot, add bay leaves, cardamon pods, cinnamon, fennel seeds, cloves and urad dal. Stir and fry briefly until urad dal turns red, then add curry leaves, if using. Stir once or twice and add onions. Fry onions until they are soft and lightly colored. Now add the spice paste. Continue to stir and fry for about 4 to 6 minutes, adding a little water to prevent sticking. Add the tomato and stir and fry for another 3 to 4 minutes.
• Add the chicken pieces to the onion and spice mixture. Stir until they are well coated then add 2 1/2 cups water, just enough to cover. Bring to a boil. Turn the heat to low, cover and simmer until the chicken is almost cooked, about 20 to 25 minutes.
• Using a slotted spoon, remove the chicken pieces. Turn the heat up to medium-high, and reduce the sauce until very thick. This should take about 6 to 8 minutes. Replace the chicken, fold gently into the sauce, and cook for a further 5 minutes before serving.
• *urad dal is a small, pale yellow split pea.
• Suggested wine: Rosemont Estate Shiraz Cabernet 1997.

CHICKEN IN A RED SWEET PEPPER SAUCE

Steps:

• Combine onions, ginger, garlic, almonds, peppers, cumin , coriander, turmeric, cayenne and salt in a food processor or blender. Blend until you have a smooth paste.
• Put the oil in a large, wide non-stick pan and heat til hot.
• Pour in all the paste from the food processor.
• Stir and fry the paste for 10-12 minutes or until you can see the oil forming tiny bubbles around it.
• Put in the chicken, with the water, lemon juice and pepper and bring to a boil.
• Cover, turn heat to ow and simmer gently for 25mins.
• Stir a few times during this cooking period.

CHICKEN WITH ROASTED CORIANDER IN COCONUT-CURRY SAUCE

Steps:

• Place a small, heavy skillet (preferably cast iron) over medium-high heat 2 to 3 minutes. Add coriander, fenugreek, and peppercorns. Cook, swirling pan, until fragrant and lightly browned, about 2 minutes. Transfer to a bowl; let cool completely. Grind in a spice grinder.
• Heat oil in a large pot over medium-high. Add mustard seeds and cinnamon. As soon as mustard seeds pop, add chicken in a single layer (work in batches, if necessary). Cook until browned on all sides, about 5 minutes per side. Set pieces aside on a plate as they are done.
• Add onions and garlic to pot and reduce heat to medium. Cook, stirring occasionally, until onions are golden brown, about 10 minutes. Add ginger and tomato. Cook until tomato is soft, about 3 minutes. Add ground toasted spices, turmeric, cayenne, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, and lemon juice. Return chicken to pot, along with any accumulated juices.
• Remove thick coconut cream from top of coconut milk; set aside. Stir remaining contents of can into pot. Add enough water to fill can again (1 1/2 cups) and add to pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer, partially covered, and stirring occasionally, until chicken is cooked through, 20 to 25 minutes.
• Stir reserved coconut cream; add to pot along with chiles. Stir once or twice to warm through; remove from heat. Remove chiles and cinnamon stick, if desired. Serve, with rice, yogurt, and chutney.