Mmmm... chicken curry is always a favorite dish to begin with. But most of times, we get high cholestrol, fat induced, santan laden broth which doesnt quite feel too good to the system.
So i thought i'd experiment a 'healthier' version and it worked perfectly well. Here's what i came up with...
The Oilless Chicken Curry
2kg of chicken cut into 16 pieces marinated in:-
2-3 teaspoons of good quality turmeric powder
2 teaspoons sea salt (always taste better than processed)
a) 3 medium sized big onions
b) 10 cloves garlic
c) 2 inches square garlic
d) 2 stalk curry leaves
(Finely blend a, b, c & d)
50gm chicken curry powder ( i use Baba)
2 teaspoon chili powder or one teaspoon black pepper (ur preference)
3 medium potatoes, scrubbed and cut into 2-3 pieces with the skin.
1 medium carrot cut into big strips of 8
2 medium tomatoes, cut into 4 each.
1 tablespoon tamarind juice (just for a kick)
Marinate chicken with turmeric powder and sea salt at room temperature for 15 mins.
Now, light up ur stove using the widest flame at the lowest fire. The very lowest flame, very important. The heat must only radiate not burn too fast.
Now, place a big steel pot with the marinated chicken filling half of it, the chicken pieces arranged at one layer only. Cover and let it come to a small simmer slowly. Check in case the fire is not too hot and dries up the pot too soon.
The juices from the chicken should be oozing out slowly and coming to simmer. Let it simmer for 10 mins.
Now pour in the blended ingredients and stir till the chicken pieces are covered properly. Close and let it simmer another 20 mins at the same fire. And then as some natural oil in the chicken separates, slowly sprinkle in bit by bit curry powder, stirring it till it dries up a bit. Turn the heat up a bit and keep stirring for 5 minutes till the curry powder fuses finely. Add in the potatoes and carrots. Pour 2 cups of water and let it cook at a high heat for 15 minutes or till the potatoes are soft. Add a little water if its too dry. Dunk in the tomatoes and tamarind juice. Don't forget to taste for salt! Remember, sea salt gives it all the tasty difference! And better health too!
And you are ready to dig in! Goes well with rice/unpolished rice/bread/wholemeal bread/capati/roti jala/tosai or jus by itself with a nice crispy salad. Oo la la! Enjoy!
