Pattani kadalai Kuruma

It is also called kaanja pattani kuruma in Tamil (Dry peas kuruma).

It is one of the signature dishes of my mom.
Like many in India mom lived in a joint family system where we need to cook for everyone's need. But she was a happy little lady with great loving Inlaws:) who pampered her with lot of affection.
Those days reminds me of some beautiful picture portrayed in canvas.
Nevertheless to say She had to cope up with so many patch up works in the kitchen when she was not having the Fridge. One such thing is the back up plan with dry peas.
She used to do it often along with rice for lunch and the rest would be saved for the chapathi for the dinner.
Having a pack of dry peas in the pantry can save your day often:) A little soaking and some curry powder can be enough to cater a surprise guest.
We can buy the whole dry peas in any Indian Store. The peas can come in yellow and green color. Both do good but the yellow one tastes great.
Here is the recipe for the simple pattani kuruma.




Ingredients:
Dry peas (whole with skin) - 3/4 cup
tomato - 1
Red onion - 2 (medium size)
green chillies - 4
coriander leaves - a handful.
mint leaves - few
curry leaves - few
shredded coconut - 1/2 cup
cumin seeds - 1/2 tsp
red chilli powder - 1 tsp
turmeric powder - a pinch
coriander powder - 3 tsp
garam masala powder - 1 tsp
salt - to taste
olive oil - 1 tbsp
Fennel seeds - 1/2 tsp
bay leaf - 1

Method:
Soak the whole dry peas in cold water overnight or in hot water for 5 hours.
Put it in a pressure cooker vessel and add enough water to immerse it (not above the peas). If the water level is above then we our peas will become mushy.
If the peas is under-soaked, then add water enough to cover the peas and it should stand 1 inch above the peas level. 

Pressure cook till we get one whistle reduce flame and keep in minimum for 5 minutes. Then switch off flame and open the lid after 10 minutes .The peas have the tendency to get over cooked if gone beyond one whistle.

Grind ginger and garlic together. Keep aside.
Then grind shredded coconut , cumin seeds and 1 onion together. keep aside.

Heat oil in a pan. Fry some fennel seeds and bay leaf.
Add the chopped onion, green chillies ,curry leaves, cilantro and mint leaves. After the onion turns golden brown , add ginger garlic paste and saute well.
Now add chopped tomatoes and saute till oil separates.

Add 2 cups of water, chilli powder, turmeric powder , curry masal powder , salt and stir well. Boil till the raw smell vanishes.

Add the coconut masala and let it come to a boil.

Then add the cooked peas along with the water.
Mix well , check for salt and let it boil for two minutes.
Garnish with chopped cilantro and serve hot.

Pattani kuruma is ready!


Serving suggestions:
serve hot with rice ,chapathi or naan .
Makes 4 cups of pattani kuruma .

Indian Chicken curry in Oven

Last week my friend Gita and myself were discussing about some healthy dishes. Here I should mention her creativity . She is very innovative at making many healthy and oil-less dishes. she asked me if I have any Indian version of chicken curries that can be made in a more healthy way. That was a brain storming question for me as my poor soul always craves for more grease:)
By the time something sparked me of my oven baked curry.
Actually I started making a curry like this whenever I get to make a batch of chicken for more people and if I run out of such a big wok and time:)
Moreover making a reddish curry in a wok may need a lot of oil and time. So I just told her about my version of making the Indian chicken curry in a conventional Oven and also admitted how kiddish is it to post it as a recipe.
But she encouraged me to post it.
So here is an Indian chicken curry made in oven .

Event:
Including this 'Indian chicken curry made in oven' to the event The potluck - chicken ' hosted by me.


Main Ingredient:
Chicken (with bones) - 2 lb

To temper:
olive oil - 2 tbsp
Onion - 1 (big)
curry leaf - 1 brig
cilantro , mint leaf - a handful
tomato - 2
fennel seeds - 1 tsp

To grind :
Paste 1.
fresh / dry Ginger - 2 inch
garlic - 4 pods

Paste 2.
curd - 1 cup
poppy seeds - 1 tsp
cumin seeds - 1/2 tsp
cinnamon - 1 inch
cardamom - 2
cloves - 4
fennel seeds - 1 tsp
black pepper - 1 tsp

others:
chilly powder - 1tsp
coriander powder - 2 tbsp
turmeric powder - 1/4 tsp




Method:
Step 1:
Wash and clean the chicken. Chop it into big chunks.
Dry roast all the ingredients given in paste 2 except yogurt (curd) and grind them together with curd. (Other wise mix 2 tsp Shakthi garam masala powder with curd to get paste 2).
Add 1tbsp salt , turmeric powder,paste 2, chilly powder and coriander powder.
Keep refrigerated overnight, so that the pieces get well marinated.

Step 2:
Next day:
Remove the skin of ginger and garlic and grind them to a fine paste.
Chop the onion, tomato separately and keep aside.

Step 3:
Heat oil in a wok. Add fennel seeds. After it becomes red, add the chopped onion and fry well till it becomes golden brown.
Then add the chopped tomatoes and cook till it becomes mushy.
Now add the ginger garlic paste and fry well.
Then add the marinated chicken pieces .

Preheat the oven to 425 deg C.

Step 4:
Heat the wok for less than 5 minutes.
Now taste the masala and adjust the salt.

Step 5:
Now arrange the chicken pieces with masala on a baking foil / bake ware.
Cook it in 425 deg for 45 minutes. Stir it every 15 minutes.
After that keep the oven in broil mode and cook for 5 minutes.
Switch off and leave the chicken there for another 5 minutes.

Oven baked Indian chicken curry is ready!


Serving suggestions:
Serve hot with roti, chapathi or cooked rice.

Note:
This version doesn't require a big wok or more oil or care.
You can cook it side by side while making biryani or arranging the table.
All you need is just an hour. Enjoy!