Spice it up: Tangy Chicken

And I'm Back!! :) Yes, after a good long break back home, I'm back to cooking and blogging. Oh how I missed this! In these past few months I realized how much I enjoy doing this.

But I have been doing well and happy to share the good news of the birth of our little bundle of joy, our new addition to our small family, our precious baby girl, Michelle. Life has changed so much after she has arrived, new schedules, altered sleep patterns, a whole new routine altogether; stressful, but definitely worth it I have to say especially when you see that innocent little smile :) I was at home all these months enjoying all the pampering and little Michelle had so many people around her all the time; she misses everyone tons.

But it feels great to be back in Bangalore, starting a new life with our little bubble. The last 2 weekends were hectic with all the unpacking and general settling down. Reju was awesome, worked from home for 2 weeks and just started going to work this morning. He was so helpful, did so much, poor thing. Thanks Reju, we love you too much. What would I have done without you?!

When all the settling down madness was over, I thought it's high time I got back to the world of blogging. Though it’s going to be a challenge with Michelle around, I sure am going to try posting recipes whenever I find time.

Gosh it's HOT in Bangalore and the frequent power cuts have been really really painful. Will surely try posting some refreshing cool recipes that will ease out the summer heat, soon.

We had a good time on Saturday with our cousins Asha, Santosh and their little munchkin, Nia. Dinner was simple and Asha brought in some lovely beef cooked with carrots and potatoes. Since I was craving to get in the kitchen and cook up something, I decided to go with this easy chicken recipe which was given to me by my Mommy, world's awesomest cook!!!! I love this dish for it's simplicity and it can be cooked in a jiffy. With a baby on board, we need to get things done really fast. And this dish definitely works well.

Today's recipe is a tasty chicken dish which is a convenient quick-fix when you have unexpected guests. The combination of the chicken, aromatics and ketchup makes this dish so soothing to the soul. On the weekends I enjoy taking time and preparing a good hearty meal. And very often I let my imagination take control and start playing with ingredients. And of course it had been sometime since I last made a full meal for guests and I was craving it. I had bought some fresh chicken and checked out what else my pantry would give (I have to really start getting through the stuff in there ... I can feed a small country with the contents!). Well I found a few things that I could use.

Today's post is very special to me. I dedicate it to my dearest Mom, (that explains the picture above) who has always been wonderful, sacrificing so much for her family. We love you mama, and we know that there is nothing that we can do to make up for all that you have done for us all these years. These past few months you were wonderful, you took care of Michelle and me so beautifully. And Dada, no we haven't forgotten you either, you were great too. Thanks cartloads for everything. And as I write this, I am emotional yet happy that we are blessed with such loving parents who are always there for us, come what may.

Can't wait to meet Dada and you this weekend. Love you loads. And Ma, thanks once again for yet another yummy recipe. We absolutely loved it.

And so hoping that the weather gets better soon, I leave you with this great recipe of shallow fried hot, spicy, gingery and garlicy chicken glazed in a yummy ketchup mix. Honestly, you will really find the flavors of these ingredients bursting into your mouth. The combination works well and that addition of ketchup rounds the entire dish up very well. I would recommend a simple rice dish like a Pulav/Jeera Rice or hot phulkas with this as anything else will take away the aroma and fragrance of the main dish. And we do not want to do this, do we?

So here we go….

Ingredients

10 to 12 pieces of Chicken; cut into medium or small pieces (refer notes)

1 Big Onion (small one) or 7 to 8 shallots/pearl onions; finely chopped (optional)

1 or 2 Green Chillies; slit lengthwise (adjust as per spice tolerance)

1/4 to 1/2 cup of Tomato Sauce & Hot & Sweet Sauce (all put together in equal quantities)

1 to 1 1/2 tsp of Paprika (you can use Kashmiri Mirch)

2 sprigs of Curry Leaves

Refined Oil

Ingredients for Marination

1/2 to 3/4 tbsp Ginger & Garlic paste

1 to 1 1/2 tbsp of Tandoori Masala (refer notes)

Salt - to taste

Method

Wash and clean the chicken pieces and pat dry with towel. Make small gashes on the pieces and marinate it with the ingredients listed under "Ingredients for Marination". Let it rest for atleast 1 hour at room temperature or overnight in the refrigerator.

Pressure cook the chicken pieces and keep aside.

Heat oil in a wok; throw in the slit green chillies and curry leaves. Saut'e for a few minutes. Throw in the chopped onions along with enough salt (add more paprika or Kashmiri mirch at this time if you like it spicy) and saut'e till light brown. (if using onions) Now add the cooked chicken pieces and toss for a few minutes. (2 to 3 minutes approx.) To this mixture, add the sauces, turn the flame to high and stir continuously till masala coats the chicken completely and the sauces dry up. Check for salt and adjust as desired.

Ta da ....your dish is ready. Wow! Ever heard of so many different flavors harmonizing so well together? My hubby, Reju was quite pleasantly surprised and almost literally licked his plate clean. I hope our cousins enjoyed the lovely combination of chicken, tandoori masala and ketchup! I was worried that it might have been too exotic for them. (I mean the combination of ingredients)

Notes:

1. Make sure the chicken is cut into small or medium sized pieces with light gashes or pricks on them so that the chicken is coated well with the gravy enhancing the flavor of the whole dish. My pieces were big, but small or medium is always better.

2. You can use any Tandoori Masala available in your local grocery store. I made my own. Here is how I prepared my very own (first attempt) Tandoori Masala:

Ingredients

2 tbsp Garam Masala

2 tbsp ground Cumin (since my ground cumin seemed very strong, I reduced it to 1 & 1/2 tbsp)

1 1/4 to 1 1/2tbsp coriander powder (if your powder is strong, add only 1 tbsp)

4 tsp Paprika (you can use Kashmiri Mirch)

2 tsp Kasuri Methi /Dried Fenugreek Leaves

1 tsp Turmeric powder

1/2 tsp Red Chilli powder ( I used a heaped 1 tsp because we like spice)

Method

Combine all the ingredients listed above using a spoon or blender and store it in an airtight container.

Notes: It stays fresh for 4 to 6 weeks.

Recipe Courtesy: My lovely mother.