Varutharacha Chicken Curry/Chicken In Roasted Coconut Gravy

Already the first ten days of Ramadan are over.And as usual the next ten and the last ten would also just fly off.Utilize the best of time for Ibaadah when you are in good health.Circumstances may not be the same always because sometimes I feel I did my Ibaadah  better last year compared to how I feel this year.This year I feel I am in a complete packed shedule because in between I have my Physiotherapy sessions and due to the medication I doze off suddenly every now and then.Otherwise I could spent late nights and early mornings completing my recitation.But then everything is His will.And as believers there is reward on being patient.

Dahi Methi Chicken - (Chicken in Yogurt gravy)

Sometimes I ask myself what curry will I make for dinner,and if by chance my sound becomes a little clear for my children then their answer is loud and clear 'Chicken'.It is not at all a problem if they had Chicken the previous day or even that day afternoon.

Chicken Keema Matar / Chicken Mince With Green Peas

The temperature is going high day by day.As we haven't made up our mind to go to India or not,the kids are getting real bored here.Evenings they are not able to ride their bicycles as the sun shines bright till 5:30 pm and its only after that they can even think of going outside.Some mornings they go to their nearby friends house or vice versa.Then the only way is to sit inside with their electronic games,so to get rid of that we went to the National Library and got some books. It's much better now seeing them reading those.The new library is such a huge World of Books or you can say a paradise for book lovers.So planning to go there often.

Chicken Pakoda

Ramadan Kareem to all !
We have reached the seventh day of fasting today just like the blinking of the eyes.Soon we will reach the 1st tenth ,then the next tenth and with another blink the last tenth.The month of Shah'ban the prayer on each Muslim's tongue was Allahumma  Ballighna Ramadan...and now on the these 1st ten days it would be seeking for His Mercy,then forgiveness and then Protection from the Hell fire...

Baked Pasta with Chicken And Olives

Another post for our MFB Challenge and the wonderful ingredient given was Olives.Olives is something always found in my refrigerator both the green ones and the black,because in my family some like the green ones and the others the black ones.

Chicken Majboos

Two weeks with parents just passed away so quickly,just like blinking of the eyes.Also it's already past a week after the new year.My Facebook friends know how the last week turned out with my parents all of a sudden ,my Dad being sick.

Chicken Fried Rice

Fried rice is something,mostly loved by all.My younger one prefers such type of rice rather than the normal rice,curry and thorans(stir fry).

Chicken Gravy Sandwich

Today's recipe is sandwich with a curried chicken filling.During our school days there used to be a Chicken sandwich in our school canteen which had its filling in the form of curry.Waking up late to school means two riyals to school one riyal for sandwich or anything to eat and the other to buy anything for drinking.Mostly I would go for that cold Pepsi and any sandwich.

Spring Rolls/Chicken And Vegetable Spring rolls

Today's recipe was something I had prepared for my last MFB Challenge but due to the tight schedule, I could only take the pics and couldn't blog it.

Chicken Kurma/Easy Chicken Kurma

Today's recipe is a simple -easy to make- Chicken Kurma.There are different ways of making chicken kurma apart from the authentic way.At some places the gravy is made using curd,cream,nuts etc with the chicken while others alter it with poppy seeds and cream or coconut.But all in all,it has a  rich and creamy texture.

Chicken Cutlets

Chicken cutlet is one of the tasty snacks mostly loved by both kids and the elders.It can be prepared in bulk by making the mix and shaping them prior in the refrigerator in an air tight box; specially during the Ramadan time,and when needed you can just dip them in the egg mix and fry.
               These Cutlets have a nice crisp and firm outer cover with a soft inside which will make a lovely evening snack or for kids tiffin box.Onto the recipe:
Ingredients
Chicken (boneless)           250 g
Onion (large)                    3(thinly sliced)
Ginger                        1'' piece
Garlic                         4-5cloves
Green Chilly              3-4 nos
Turmeric powder        1/4+1/4
Salt                              as needed
Garam masala             1/2 tsp
Potato                        200g(2 medium size)
Egg                             1
Flour/Maida               2 spoon
Water                         1/4 cup
Bread crumbs            as needed
Oil                          2 tbsp + for deep frying

Method 
-Boil the potatoes in a pressure cooker(2-3 whistles).Then peel and mash it.Keep this aside.
-Cook the chicken pieces along with 1/4 turmeric powder and a little salt (you can again pressure cook this).When cooled mince it using the small jar of the mixi,just pulse it for a second (don't make it mushy).
-Grind the ginger,garlic and the green chillies and keep this aside.
-Heat a non stick pan and add 2 tbsp of oil.
-Now add the sliced onions and saute,after a few minutes add the ground paste,curry leaves,turmeric,garam masala powder and salt.Saute well.
-When the onion turns transparent add the minced chicken and mix well.
-Off the flame.Once the mixture is cooled add the mashed potatoes and mix well.
-Make equal size small balls out of this mixture and gently press each ball in between your palm shaping them.
-Now take a bowl and add the egg,1/4 cup water and the flour.With the help of a balloon whisk mix this well into a thin batter.
-In a flat plate spread the bread crumbs.
-Now dip each cutlet into the batter and then roll them in the bread crumbs.Again before frying slightly press the cutlets along with the bread crumbs taking care all sides are shaped and coated well.
-Heat a kadayi with oil.When the oil is hot enough fry the cutlets on medium flame till golden brown.
-Remove the cutlets using a slotted spoon onto a tissue paper and serve this with tomato ketchup or any hot sauce.

*Once the mixture is ready it should be firm and hold shape.So be careful with the potatoes(once cooked don't leave it in the water but take it out fast,peel and mash) and also with the chicken(once cooked don't leave it in the stock for long take it out and when cooled mince it, just one pulse).
*If you want you can just dip the cutlets in beaten egg and then coat it with bread crumbs but adding the flour makes it firm and won't break while frying.
*The oil for frying cutlets should be at the right temperature-too hot means it might burn the cutlets and less hot means soggy breaking cutlets...

Pepper Chicken Masala

 Ingredients
For Marination
Chicken pieces        600g (medium size)
Pepper powder    3/4 tsp
Turmeric powder  1/2 tsp
Lemon juice            11/2 tsp
Salt                    1/2 tsp
For The Masala
Onion              3 large(thinly sliced)
Tomato             1 large(''          ''    )
Ginger paste       11/2 tbsp
Garlic paste         11/2 tbsp
Green chillies          3 (slit vertically)
Peppercorns       1/2 tsp
Fennel seeds        1 tsp
Cinnamon            small piece
Cardamom                  1
Cloves                           6
Dry red chillies                  2
Pepper powder            13/4 tsp
Chilly powder(kashmiri)     1/2 tsp
Garam masala            3/4 tsp
Lemon juice              2 tsp
Salt                          as needed
Water                    3/4 cup
Curry leaves             2 sprig
Coconut oil           3 tbsp

Method of cooking
-Wash,drain and marinate the chicken pieces with salt, lemon juice,turmeric and pepper powder and keep in the refrigerator for 1/2 an hour.
-In a non stick kadai /wok, heat oil and add the fennel seeds.When it starts to splutter add the pepper corns, dry red chillies,cinnamon,cardamom,cloves,curry leaves and then add in the sliced onion. Add a little salt and saute.
-Now add the slit green chillies,ginger and garlic paste.Saute well till the onions are done.
-Keeping the flame very low add the chilly powder,pepper powder and garam masala.Stir for a minute.
-Now add the tomatoes and cook till soft(keep the flame on medium).
-Now add in the marinated chicken pieces and mix well .Saute for 5 minutes till the masala gets sealed on the chicken well.
-Add water and mix well.Cover the pan and cook till the chicken is done and the gravy reduces and coats the chicken well.Add lemon juice and curry leaves,mix and off the flame.Pepper chicken masala is ready to be served.

Kuruvikkoodu/Birds Nest/Vermicelli Chicken Balls

 This yummy snack will be loved by all.Perfect for tea time.
Ingredients
 Chicken(boneless)     450 g
 Chilly powder   1/2 tsp
 Turmeric powder  1/4 tsp
 Salt     as needed
-Cook the chicken with the above ingredients in a pressure cooker till done(2 or 3 whistles).
-When cooled shred these cooked pieces and keep aside.
Rest of the ingredients
Onion        4 (big,finely chopped)
Ginger & Garlic paste          11/2 tbsp each
Green chilly               3-4(pasted)
Turmeric powder       1/4 tsp
Garam Masala powder  3/4 tsp
Curry leaves           2 sprigs 
Bread Slices(medium)        4+1

Salt            as needed

Oil           2 tbsp+for deep frying 

 Method
-Heat 2 tbsp of oil in a nonstick pan and add the chopped onion.Saute well and add ginger garlic and chilly paste.Saute well till the onions are done.
-Add in the turmeric and garam masala powder. 
-Mix well,add chopped curry leaves and the shredded chicken. 
-Meanwhile cut the edges of the 4 slices of bread (don't discard the edges)**.
-Soak each piece of bread in a little water(add little water in a small bowl)and squeeze out the excess water by pressing the slice in between your palms and add these pieces into the chicken mix. -Grind the remaining 1 slice of bread and the cut-out edges**into powder(bread crumbs)and add to the cooking mixture to make the mixture firm.

-Once every thing gets incorporated switch off the flame and when cooled make small balls out of this.

Ingredients For The Coating

Egg white       of 1 egg
Maida/APF       3 heaped tsp
Water              1/2 cup
Salt              a pinch
Vermicelli      1/2 packet
-Add all the ingredients except vermicelli and make a smooth batter.In another plate add the vermicelli.
-Now take each ball dip in the batter and then coat it with vermicelli.
-Heat oil in a wok and deep fry these balls till golden colour.

-Serve with tomato ketchup.

*Do not use fried vermicelli for coating because once you fry these balls they will turn very dark.

*If using long vermicelli just crumble them and make them into small pieces.

*You can use mashed potatoes instead of the bread slices  (in the filling). 

                

Chicken Stew/Chicken In Coconut Milk

Chicken curry or fry is mostly my children's favorite when it comes to side dishes.Today's recipe is a Chicken Stew which can be served with Rotis Appams or any bread item.The combo of pepper powder,green chillies and coconut milk makes it unique.My children like having this curry as a side dish with chappatis or baturas,and my Hubby likes it with Pathiris.