1–2 fresh hot green chilliessliced into coarse rings
A handful of green coriander leaves
275g10 oz frozen chopped spinach, boiled until defrosted, then lightly drained
3tablespoonsgrainy French mustardPommery mustard
Instructies
Cut the chicken into serving portions (breasts into 4–6 pieces each, whole legs into 2–3 pieces each).
Heat 4 tablespoons of vegetable oil in a large, non-stick pan over medium-high heat.
Add the bay leaves, cardamom pods, cinnamon stick, cloves, and dried red chillies.
Stir for a few seconds until the bay leaves darken slightly.
Add the chicken pieces and brown them well on both sides.
Stir in the sultanas, then add the yoghurt, 1 teaspoon salt, plenty of freshly ground black pepper, and the chilli powder.
Stir and bring to a simmer.
Cover the pan, reduce the heat to low, and let it simmer for 15 minutes.
While the chicken simmers, blend the ginger with 3 tablespoons of water until smooth.
Add the green chillies and fresh coriander to the blender and pulse a few times.
Then, add the lightly drained spinach and blend briefly, ensuring it remains slightly coarse.
Transfer the spinach mixture to a bowl and stir in the mustard and ¼ teaspoon salt.
After the chicken has cooked for 15 minutes, remove the cover and stir in the green sauce.
Bring the mixture to a simmer, cover, and cook for another 10 minutes or until the chicken is tender.
Turn the chicken pieces a few times while cooking.
Serve hot, removing the whole spices before eating.
Notes / Tips / Wine Advice:
Serving Tip:Serve this dish with basmati rice or warm naan for a complete meal.Wine Advice:Pair this chicken dish with a light-bodied Riesling or a medium-bodied Chardonnay to balance the rich mustard and spinach flavors.
You may serve these kebabs with drinks, as a first course or even as a light main dish. The pieces of meat may be skewered before grilling or they may just be spread out on a grilling tray.
4bonedskinned chicken breast halves (about 550g/1¼lb)
¾teaspoonsalt
2tablespoonslemon juice
3tablespoonsnatural yoghurt
1tablespoonchickpea flouralso called gram flour or besan
1teaspoonpeeledvery finely grated fresh ginger
2garlic clovespeeled and crushed to a pulp
¼teaspoonchilli powder
¼teaspoonground turmeric
½teaspoonground cumin
½teaspoongaram masala
4tablespoonsmelted butter or vegetable oil for basting
Instructies
Cut each breast half into halves, lengthways, and cut crossways into 2.5cm (1in) pieces. Put in a bowl. Rub with ½ teaspoon of the salt and the lemon juice.
Put the natural yoghurt into a separate small bowl. Add the chickpea flour and mix well. Now add the remaining salt, the ginger, garlic, chilli powder, turmeric, cumin and garam masala. Mix well and pour over the chicken pieces. Mix well again and set aside for 15 minutes or longer (you could even leave it overnight).
Preheat the grill. Thread the chicken pieces on to 4 skewers and balance the skewers on the raised edges of a grill rack. You could, as an alternative, spread the chicken pieces out on the grilling tray. Baste with the melted butter or oil. Grill the chicken pieces about 10cm (4in) from the source of heat for 5 minutes, basting once during this time. Turn the chicken pieces over, baste again and grill for 2–3 minutes or until just cooked through.
Minced chicken – or turkey, for that matter – cooks in minutes. If a guest unexpectedly shows up, this may be the perfect dish to serve. I have used peas here, but infinite variations are possible: cooked broad beans, cut up and cooked green beans, even corn kernels, may be added to the mince.
Quick Chicken KormaWhen trying to cook fast, it helps to have all the right utensils to hand. Here, a blender to make the ginger–garlic paste and a frying pan that holds all the chicken in a single layer will be of great help. This dish can be made a day ahead of time and refrigerated. It reheats well.
4cm1½in piece fresh ginger, peeled and coarsely chopped
5–6 garlic clovespeeled and coarsely chopped
6tablespoonsvegetable oil
3bay leaves
5cm2in cinnamon stick
8cardamom pods
4cloves
¼teaspoonblack cumin seeds
120g4½oz onions, peeled and finely chopped
1tablespoonground coriander
1tablespoonground cumin
3tinned plum tomatoeschopped
1.5kg3lb chicken pieces, skinned and cut into serving portions
¼–1 teaspoon chilli powder
¼teaspoonsalt
3tablespoonssingle cream
Instructies
Put the ginger, garlic and 3 tablespoons water in the container of an electric blender. Blend until you have a smooth paste.
Put the oil in a wide frying pan or sauté pan and set over high heat. When very hot, put in the bay leaves, cinnamon, cardamom pods, cloves and cumin seeds. Stir once or twice and add the onions. Stir and fry for about 3 minutes or until the onions turn brownish. Add the paste from the blender, and the ground coriander and ground cumin, and fry for a minute. Add the chopped tomatoes and fry for another minute. Add the chicken pieces, chilli powder, salt and 250ml (8fl oz) water. Bring to a boil. Cover, turn the heat to medium and cook for 15 minutes, turning the chicken pieces over now and then.
Remove the cover, add the cream and cook on high heat for another 7–8 minutes or until the sauce has thickened. Stir gently as you do this.
Sometimes, after a long day at work, the easiest dish to put on the table is grilled chicken. Most Indian versions require a marinating period, but if you are rushed, as I am most of the time, follow this recipe and you will come up with delicious results – fast. The spice paste may be prepared up to a day ahead of time and refrigerated. You can also rub the chicken pieces with the spice paste and leave them for up to 24 hours before grilling. This chicken may be served, Western-style, with boiled potatoes and a green vegetable or salad. You may also serve it with rice and an Indian vegetable.
Preheat the grill and arrange the grilling tray at least 13–15cm (5–6in) from the source of heat. If you can control your heat, set it at medium–high. Combine all the ingredients for the spice paste in a bowl and mix well. Rub the paste over the chicken as evenly as possible.
Arrange the chicken pieces on the grilling tray in a single layer, with the fleshier parts up and the skin side down. Grill for 10–12 minutes or until browned. You may need to rearrange some of the pieces, so that they all brown evenly. Turn the pieces over and cook the second side in the same way.
In a small bowl, combine the chilli powder, turmeric, ground cumin, ground coriander, lemon juice, salt, black pepper, and 1 tablespoon of water.
Mix well.
Heat the vegetable oil in a medium-sized, non-stick frying pan over medium-high heat.
Add the cumin seeds and let them sizzle for about 10 seconds.
Add the chopped onion and ginger, and sauté until the onion turns medium brown.
Stir in the prepared spice paste and cook for about 15 seconds.
Add the chopped tomatoes and sugar, bringing the mixture to a gentle simmer.
Cover and let it cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Stir in the chopped coriander.
Place the halved boiled eggs into the sauce, spooning the mixture over them.
Cover and simmer for another 2–3 minutes, allowing the eggs to absorb the flavors.
Serve hot with rice or toasted bread.
Notes / Tips / Wine Advice:
Serving Tip:Garnish with extra fresh coriander and serve with warm chapati, naan, or plain basmati rice for a complete meal.Wine Advice:Pair this dish with a crisp and fruity Sauvignon Blanc or a dry Riesling to balance the spice and acidity of the tomatoes.
Add the chopped onion and sauté for about a minute until it turns translucent.
Add the chopped tomato, fresh coriander, and sliced green chilli.
Stir and cook for 3–4 minutes until the tomatoes soften.
Pour in the beaten eggs.
Lightly season with salt and pepper.
Stir the eggs continuously with a fork or spatula until they reach your preferred consistency.
Serve immediately with toast, parathas, or chapatis.
Notes / Tips / Wine Advice:
Serving Tip:Enjoy with freshly made parathas or a buttered slice of toast for a complete breakfast.Wine Advice:Pair this dish with a light and refreshing white wine such as Sauvignon Blanc or a crisp Chenin Blanc.
Wash the sea bass thoroughly inside and out under cold running water and pat dry.
Preheat the oven to 200°C/400°F/gas mark 6.
Peel and coarsely chop the ginger and garlic.
Blend them with 3 tablespoons water until a smooth paste forms.
Heat the oil in a frying pan over medium-high heat.
Add the mustard seeds and stir until they begin to pop.
Add the dried red peppers and stir once.
Pour in the ginger-garlic paste, add the turmeric, and fry for 2 minutes.
Transfer the contents of the frying pan back into the blender.
Add the coriander, lemon juice, and salt.
Blend to a smooth paste, adding up to 2 tablespoons of water if needed.
Line a large baking dish with foil or banana leaves.
Place the sea bass on top and coat it thoroughly with the coriander paste, inside and out.
Fold the foil or banana leaves over the fish to enclose it completely.
Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes.
Carefully unwrap the fish and transfer it to a serving platter.
Spoon any leftover chutney from the foil onto the fish before serving.
Notes / Tips / Wine Advice:
Serving Tip:Serve with plain basmati rice and a side of Tomato and Onion Relish for a balanced meal.Wine Advice:Pair this flavorful dish with a crisp Sauvignon Blanc or a light and citrusy Albariño to complement the fresh chutney flavors.
This recipe, which is as good as it is simple, comes from Chun Kern, my friend from the Himalayan hills who now lives in the United States. You may eat this in sandwiches, on toast, take it on picnics (I always do) or use it as a stuffing for ‘turnover’-type patties made with store-bought puff pastry. It is excellent eaten plain with a variety of salads. Use a good-quality tinned tuna packed in oil. I do not drain it as the oil prevents the tuna from drying out. Also, a good curry powder provides a useful short cut.