This is my take on a chicken chettinad or a south indian styled chicken curry. The chicken could be substituted with lamb or beef and then you need to make some adjustments for salt or spices, but more or less will work.What is key though it tasting, chilli in one part of the world might be a bit hotter than the other so its important to taste and experiment a little bit to get to what you will enjoy.

When i was a Chef Tutor, i trained some of my students, Simaranjit Singh and Shamika Ratnayke to make this for a live competiion and they won a gold medal and best in class.Now you go and win a medal from your family /friends.!!

For the marinade

Yoghurt- 2 TB/55 gms approximately

Turmeric – 1/4 tsp , 2 gms

Ginger and Garlic paste- 2 t /10 gms

Salt- 1 t/5 gm

Chicken thigh skinless on the bone is preferred- 500 gms

For the gravy

Oil- 1T /20 gm

Curry leaves- 1 sprig/ 1 gms

green chilli- 2 ea/ 5 gms

Onions brown peeled and chopped-250 gms

Tomato crushed/ Tomato passata – 75 gms

coriander powder- 1 t/ 5gm

cumin powder- 1/2 t / 2 gm

chipotle chilli – 5 gms- yes its unusual to use a mexican smoked chilli but this gives it an amzing flavour profile. Substitute with smoked paprika if not possible to get chipotle

coconut cream- 200 ml

For the dry spice mix

Cardamom green- 3 ea

Cloves- 2

cinnamon stick – 1 small

Bayleaf- 1/2- The indian bayleaf is actually a cassia cinnamon leaf called tej patta, if you dont have that then use bay,

dessicated coconut- 1T/ 15 gms

peppercorns- 8-10

star anise/anasi poo- 1/2

fennel seeds- 1/2 t

Dagadphool/Kalpasi- 1-2 gms this gives it a unique aroma

Toast all in the microwave and then grind to a coarse mix

Method.

Marinate chicken, ideally overnight, if pressed for time then atleaast a few hours.

for the gravy, heat oil add curry leaves , and green chilli and then the chopped onions, sand saute till brown

add the powder spices and tomato and cook till the oil starts to separate from the mix.

Add in the marinated chicken and simmer for about 35 mins or so along with the coconut cream.Towards the end add in the dry spice mix and some chopped coriander.

Enjoy with malabar parathas or thick dosa or rice.

Ingredients for marination

650 gms lamb (with bone)

50 gm yoghurt /dahi

1/2 tsp turmeric /haldi

2 tsp chili powder (check spice heat )

1 green chilli, slit into 2 pcs

1 tbsp chopped coriander

1 tbsp chopped mint

1/2 tsp garam masala pwd , ( make your own it’s much better)

1 tsp.ginger garlic paste 

50 gm fried onion 

1 tsp salt

Marinate overnight

Wash and keep 300 gm long grain Basmati rice, remove water and keep for about 30 mins. You can do this before you start cooking lamb 

In a small bowl, take 30 ml hot water, put in half gm saffron, 1  teaspoon shahi jeera/royal cumin and 1/2 tsp kewda water.

Method 

•  In a clean pan, take 2 tbsp oil and 2 tbsp ghee
• Add 2 pieces cardamom, 1 small cinnamon stick (dalchini), 3-4 cloves(lavang), small piece star anise(chakriphool), small piece mace(javitri), 1 bay leaf(tejpatta), 1 big black cardamom (badi velchi). 
•  Add in 1 big onion (150 gm), finely chopped and fry till golden brown.
•  Add 2 tsp ginger garlic paste and 2 finely chopped tomato(150 gm or half a small can of crushed tomatoes )
•  Add 1 tsp red chilli powder, 1 tsp coriander powder, and fry the onion tomato masala nicely, let oil leave the sides of the pan. Keep on a low flame till done.
•  Next add marinated lamb and cook in the pressure cooker. don’t fully cook it, depends on your meat quality.. till the pressure builds up .
•  Once your lamb is done, transfer it into a pan. let it dry little bit.
• . Boil water in another pot, add salt and cook Basmati Rice till 1/3 to half done.
•  Drain the rice.
• . Deep fry potato cubes/pieces. I cut and cook in microwave for 2 mins before deep frying. Add the potato pieces to the lamb masala in the pan.
• Pour drained rice on top of the mutton. 
• 14. Pour over shahi jeera and saffron mixture on top.
• 15. Add on the top 1 tbsp fresh chopped mint, 1tbsp fresh chopped coriander 1 tbsp fried onion and 1 tbsp ghee.
• 16. Put a tight lid on and then leave on dum for about 10-15 mins max. Keep a heavy flat pan below this pot to prevent it from burning.
• you can replace the lamb with chicken and it will come out very well too,.
• You can shower me with mucho dollars/shekels/drachma /and i can make it for you..or teach you how to make it..