Soothing north indian chicken
This is not one of those head-spinningly rich or complexly spiced Indian dishes; it’s simple and modest, sort of the Indian equivalent of chicken soup or shepherd’s pie. It needs something soothing on the side, such as dal, or greens fried with ginger and garlic.
Equipment
Ingrediënten
- 8 skinless bone-in chicken thighs
- 2 tbsp ghee or groundnut oil
- 2 tsp cumin seeds
- ½ tsp pepper
- 1 large onion grated
- 8 garlic cloves grated
- 30 g 1oz root ginger, peeled and grated
- 1 tbsp coriander seeds toasted and ground
- 1 red chilli halved, deseeded and sliced
- 1 green chilli halved, deseeded and sliced
- 4 tbsp plain yogurt
- good squeeze of lime juice
- 1 tsp soft light brown sugar optional
- salt
- small bunch of coriander roughly chopped
Instructies
- Put the chicken into a saucepan, pour in 500ml (18fl oz) of water and bring to the boil.
- Immediately reduce the heat so the water is gently simmering, cover and cook for 35 minutes, or until the chicken is just cooked through.
- Lift the chicken out with a slotted spoon and set aside.
- Measure the cooking liquid and add enough water to make it up to 500ml (18fl oz) once more.
- Rinse out the saucepan, dry it, then heat the ghee or groundnut oil in it over a medium heat.
- Add the cumin seeds and pepper and cook for 30 seconds, then add the grated onion, garlic and ginger.
- Cook until the mixture is soft and pale gold, a matter of seven or eight minutes, then add the ground coriander seeds and both chillies.
- Cook for another two minutes, then reduce the heat and stir in the yogurt.
- Now stir in the reserved cooking liquor, adding a little at a time.
- Return the chicken to the pot, increase the heat so the chicken is hot right through, then reduce the heat once more and simmer for about four minutes.
- Don’t boil the mixture.
- Add the lime juice and sugar (if using) and season with salt.
- Taste to check the seasoning.
- Throw in the coriander and heat for 15 seconds so it can start to release its fragrance.
- Serve immediately.
