Origin: India

Ingredients:

1. Chicken – 500 grams
2. Onion – 2 small
3. Ginger – 10 grams
4. Garlic – 8 cloves
5. Green Chillies – 3 medium
6. Cardamom – 6 whole
7. Cinnamon – 1 inch
8. Black Pepper – 6 whole
9. Cloves – 6 whole
10. Dried Red Chillies – 2 medium
11. Yoghurt – 100 grams
12. Cashew Nuts – 10 whole
13. Poppy Seeds – 10 grams
14. Oil – 1 tablespoon
15. Garam Masala Powder – 1/2 teaspoon
16. Salt – 1 teaspoon
17. Butter – 5 grams
18. Cream – 1 tablespoon

Recipe:

1. Wash the chicken thoroughly in running water and set aside.
2. Blend roughly diced onions, chopped ginger and garlic and green chillies to a coarse paste.
3. Apply the coarse paste and yoghurt to the chicken and let it marinate for a couple of hours.
4. Soak the cashew nuts and poppy seeds in warm water for thirty minutes and blend into a smooth paste.
5. Add oil of choice to a warm frying pan and let it smoke for a few seconds.
6. Add cinnamon, cardamom, black pepper, cloves and dried chillies to the oil and sauté till the spices release aroma.
7. Add finely chopped onion, garlic and ginger and sauté them to remove the raw edge.
8. Remove the chicken from the marinade and add the pieces into the pan.
9. Cook both side of the chicken for three minutes each or till the edges start browning.
10. Add in the marinade along with the cashew and poppy seed paste and sauté for a couple of minutes.
11. Add salt, garam masala and a cup of water to the pan and stir for a minute.
12. Cover the pan and let the chicken cook for ten minutes or till cooked through.
13. Once the chicken is cooked, remove the cover and cook to evaporate excess water.
14. Once done, turn off the heat and fold in some butter to give the dish a luscious finish.
15. Transfer the contents into a bowl and top with a dash of cream.
16. Serve warm with warm roti or paratha, or even rice.

Extras:

1. Add oil in small quantities as the chicken releases fat of its own.
2. The chicken can be marinated overnight to make it even more tender.
3. Almonds can also be used as a healthier alternative to cashews.
4. Adjust cooking time depending on the cut of chicken used.