Chettinad Pepper Chicken Recipe Courtesy Of Madhur Jaffrey

Serves: 3

Weldon Lockman

1 January 1970

Based on User reviews:

51

Spice

43

Sweetness

50

Sourness

39

mins

Prep time (avg)

5.1

Difficulty

Ingredients:

2 tsps

Salt

1.5 tsps

Fennel Seed

1.5 tsps

Urad Dal (*)

5 tbsps

Oil

1.5 tbsps

Cumin Seed

3 tbsps

Coriander Seed

Directions:

1

Make the spice paste: In a small frying pan, heat 1 tablespoon of oil over a medium-high heat

2

When hot, add cumin seeds, chillies, coriander seeds, fennel seeds, black peppercorns and poppy seeds

3

Stir and fry briefly until lightly roasted

4

Put these into a large coffee grinder and grind to a powder

5

Empty into the container of an electric blender

6

Add garlic, ginger, tumeric and salt to the blender as well, along with 6 to 8 tablespoons of water

7

Process until you have a fine paste, pushing down with a rubber spatula if needed

8

Heat remaining 4 tablespoons of oil in a large saucepan over a medium to high heat

9

When hot, add bay leaves, cardamon pods, cinnamon, fennel seeds, cloves and urad dal

10

Stir and fry briefly until urad dal turns red, then add curry leaves, if using

11

Stir once or twice and add onions

12

Fry onions until they are soft and lightly colored

13

Now add the spice paste

14

Continue to stir and fry for about 4 to 6 minutes, adding a little water to prevent sticking

15

Add the tomato and stir and fry for another 3 to 4 minutes

16

Add the chicken pieces to the onion and spice mixture

17

Stir until they are well coated then add 2 1/2 cups water, just enough to cover

18

Bring to a boil

19

Turn the heat to low, cover and simmer until the chicken is almost cooked, about 20 to 25 minutes

20

Using a slotted spoon, remove the chicken pieces

21

Turn the heat up to medium-high, and reduce the sauce until very thick

22

This should take about 6 to 8 minutes

23

Replace the chicken, fold gently into the sauce, and cook for a further 5 minutes before serving

24

*urad dal is a small, pale yellow split pea

25

Suggested wine: Rosemont Estate Shiraz Cabernet 1997