RecipeReplica: Chicken Curry with a Sourashtrian Spin

This recipe has been adopted from the recipe-hub of one fabulous blogger with an extra-fabulous blogspot.She is none other than Radhika Vasanth of Sourashtrian Kitchen.She has a wealth of recipes and exciting events happening in her spot. The minute I saw her Madurai-style(Sourashtrian) chicken recipe with its swanky name, I wanted to try it. So try I did with variations and was I happy? Yes, overjoyed cause it turned out so well.Thanks, RV for letting me try and text it.

Ingredients:

• Chicken Drumsticks - 10
• Red Onion - 2, large, finely diced
• Tomato - 2, medium, finely diced
• Ginger Garlic Paste - 1 1/2 tbsp
• Chilli Powder - 1 tsp or more
• Turmeric Powder - a pinch
• Olive Oil - 2 tbsp
• Salt for taste
• Cracked pepper and salt - 1 tsp, for marinating the chicken
• Mint and coriander leaves - a handful, chopped, for garnish

To Grind:

• Cinnamon Stick - 1/2
• Cloves - 3
• Fennel Seeds - 1/2 tsp
• Cumin seeds - 1/2 tsp
• Pepper corns - 2 tsp
• Coriander seeds - 1 tsp

Procedure:

• Put deep slits on the chicken drumsticks and smear a tsp of cracked pepper and salt. Set aside.
• Dry roast all the ingredients under "To Grind" on a low flame until it gives a nice aroma.
• Cool the roasted spices and coarsely grind in a blender.
• In a thick bottomed pan, add a tbsp of olive oil and heat until it smokes.
• Sear the chicken and brown them in batches. Set aside.
• In the same pan, add the remaining olive oil and add the diced onions.Saute it until browned.
• Add the ginger garlic paste and follow up with turmeric powder.
• Saute the mixture until the paste loses raw smell.
• Throw in the tomato, chilli powder, cracked pepper and salt.
• Sprinkle a little water and cover the pan and cook for 5 minutes until a nice gravy is formed.
• Now add the chicken, ground spices and gently mix until the chicken is well coated with the masala.
• Add a few cups of water and cook on a medium flame with the lid closed for another 30 minutes or so.
• Switch off the stove and garnish with chopped herbs.

Tip: This came out on the spicy side. People who don't care for much heat should reduce the amount of  chilli, pepper and ginger and use as required.

Enjoy!