ZAFRANI CHICKEN KORMA

     'Zafrani Chicken Korma/Mughlai Zafrani Murg' is a rich & delicious Curry from Mughlai Cuisine.  This Korma has another name Shadhiwala Chicken Korma, as it is one commonly served dish in most of the North Indian & Pakistani Wedding Banquets.  The richness of this Korma, with a unique flavour, taste and aroma appeal the taste buds instantly.  The name 'Zafrani' in a dish specially mentions that it is a special dish, mostly cooked in the imperial kitchens of the Mughal Empire, and was primarily named so because of the presence of the main ingredient Zafran i.e., Saffron. 
     Zafrani represents the cooking styles used in North India. In the South, we can find this type of cooking in Hyderabad, mainly cooked in the kitchens of Nizams and Nawabs. In the Deccan region, this classic dish is strongly influenced by Central Asian Cuisine. Zafrani Biriyani is yet another popular dish along with Zafrani Korma, a princely legacy of the Nizams of Hyderabad. A recipe with a flamboyant past, the opulence of this kind of recipes is that it has been bought forth through generations.  Along with the trade influence from Persia, Arabia & Turkey, locally unavailable ingredients became an addition in Royal Kitchens and Saffron still remains an ingredient of royal delicacy.  But today, it is mostly cooked in Daawats(Banquets) and in pre-wedding functions.
      Though this recipe calls for an extra number of ingredients, this Korma can be prepared easily within no time.  The silky texture of the Korma comes from the Onion & Nuts Paste mix and the combination of Curd/Yogurt whisked along with Spices.  Though it is a mildly spiced Curry, Kashmiri Chilli Powder used in Zafrani Korma gives the curry a vibrant colour. Addition of Saffron and Kewra Essence gives a wonderful aroma to the Curry. Like many other royal dishes, originally Zafrani Chicken Korma is also cooked on a slow wood fire. Korma cooked by open lid simmering technique called DUM-PUKTH on a very low flame so that Yoghurt/Curd doesn't curdle. But for our convenience, we can get it perfected by slow cooking the Korma in a pan using the same technique. Slow-cooking yields a rich and creamy Zafrani Chicken Korma with a perfectly cooked soft & succulent chicken pieces in a silky textured gravy.  This Zafrani Chicken Korma goes well with both Roti & Rice.
 

For more KORMA/KURMA Recipes, Click here...


Cuisine  -  Indian (North India), Pakistani
Course - Side Dish
Spice Level - Low
Difficulty - Medium
Serves - 4
Author - SM

Preparation Time - 20-30 Minutes
Cooking Time - 30 - 45 Minutes

HOW TO COOK ZAFRANI CHICKEN KORMA

ZAFRANI CHICKEN KORMA

 

INGREDIENTS:

For Curd-Masala Paste:

Curd - 3 Tbspn
Green Chillies - 2 Nos.
Cumin Powder - 1 Tspn
Kashmiri Chilli Powder - 1 Tspn
Coriander Powder - 1 Tbspn

For Onion Paste:

Fried Onions - 1/2 Cup
Cashew Nuts - 5-6 Nos.
Almonds - 5-6 Nos.
Curd - 4 Tbspn
Saffron - 1 Pinch

For Spice Powder:

Nutmeg - 1/4 Piece
Mace - 1 Small Petal
Black Cardamom - 1 Pod
Green Cardamom - 3-4 Pods
Cinnamon - 1" Piece -  2 Sticks
Cloves - 2-3 Nos.
Fennel - 1 Tspn

For Zafrani Chicken Korma:

Chicken - 500 Gms
Ginger Garlic Paste - 2 Tbspn
Turmeric Powder - 1/4 Tspn
Salt - To Taste
Kewra Essence - 1/4 Tspn

To Splutter:

Oil - 2 Tbspn
Ghee - 2 Tbspn
Bay Leaf - 2 Nos.
Black Cardamom - 1 No.
Cinnamon - 1" Piece -  2 Sticks
Cloves - 2-3 Nos.

METHOD:

• Clean, Wash and drain the Chicken Pieces in a colander and keep it aside.
• Soak Almonds and Cashew Nuts in warm water for about 10 - 15 Minutes. 
• Soak Saffron strands in warm water/milk for 5-10 Minutes.
• Grind the ingredients mentioned under 'For Onion Paste', into a fine paste and keep it aside.
• Finely chop the Green Chillies and whisk it along with the ingredients mentioned under 'For Masala Paste'.
• Whisk the ingredients until it is well combined and keep it aside.
• Heat Oil & Ghee in a Pan, splutter the spices mentioned under 'To Splutter' on a low flame for few minutes.
• Add the Chicken Pieces to the above ingredients and pan sear the pieces until the colour changes.
• Pan sear the chicken pieces on a low flame.
• Next, add Ginger Garlic paste to the above along with a dash of Salt.
• Saute the Ginger Garlic Paste on a low flame until the raw flavour goes. 
• Now pour in the whisked Curd-Masala Paste and cook this on a low flame until chicken pieces are well cooked.
• Once the Chicken Pieces turn tender and cooked, pour in the Onion Paste.
• Cook this on a low flame for few minutes or until Oil separates from the Korma.
• Meanwhile, grind the ingredients mentioned under 'For Spice Powder' into a fine powder.
• Add this freshly ground Spice Powder to the curry and give a quick stir.
• Drizzle the Kewrs Essence and mix well.
• Cook the Zafrani Chicken Korma on a low flame until it reaches the desired consistency.
• Once cooked, switch off the flame and leave the pan on the stovetop undisturbed for about 20-30 minutes.
• Serve Zafrani Chicken Korma hot, garnished with finely chopped Coriander Leaves, julienned Ginger strips and few slivers of Almonds.

SERVING SUGGESTIONS: 

This Zafrani Chicken Korma can be served along with both ROTI & RICE :

 INDIAN BREADS:

• Naan, 
• Kulcha,
• Parotta,
• Chapati, 
• Paratha,
• Batura,
• Romali Roti,etc.,

RICE DISHES:

Can also serve Zafrani Chicken Korma with

• Biriyani,  
• Pulao,
• Malabar Ghee Rice/Nei Choru, 
• Steamed Basmati Rice.

NOTES :

• Pan searing the Chicken Pieces yields perfectly textures, soft, succulent and juicy Chicken pieces in the Korma.
• The Onion Paste and Curd-Masla Paste gives a silky texture to the Zafrani Korma.
• I have used Kashmiri Chilli Powder in this recipe which is the trick behind vibrant Korma.
• Can also use any other Red Chilli Powder, adjust accordingly.
• Zafrani Chicken Korma is a mildly spiced Curry.
• If you do not have fried Onions, can saute finely chopped onions on a low flame until it turns into golden brown in colour and then grind it along with other ingredients for the 'Onion Paste' mixture.
• Do not over-caramelize the onions or burn it, which will alter the taste of the Korma.

CHICKEN SHAHI KORMA - WHITE KORMA

     One of the greatest curries of India should be 'KORMA'.  A perfectly cooked Korma would surely be a delight to both our sense and taste.  Korma is a type of curry prepared by braising the meat in Ghee(Clarified Butter), along with Yoghurt/Curd, Spices and a thick paste prepared with Nuts like Cashewnuts/Almonds and Poppy seeds and simmered in fresh Cream/Milk.  Evey single ingredient added into Korma gives as special appeal to the dish like Yogurt/Curd gives softness and texture to the meat, Spices its unique flavour, blanched nuts and Poppy Seeds serve as a thickening agent, Milk/Fresh Cream gives a richness, Saffron adds a mild tinge of colour and flavour to the dish.
      It is absolutely a rich dish in terms of ingredients, taste and flavour - least to mention its origin.  It is believed that the cooks in Royal Kitchens prepared Shahi(Royal) Kormas specifically for Emperors. This Chicken Shahi Korma is a white Korma cooked by open lid simmering technique called DUM-PUKTH on a very low flame so that Yoghurt/Curd doesn't curdle.
     Mughlai Korma, Shahi Korma, Kashmiri Korma and South Indian Korma are commonly found Korma/Kurma varieties found in India.  The Shahi, Mughlai and Kashmiri Kormas use Nuts and Cream as thickening agents, but South Indian Kurmas use Coconut and Poppy Seeds as thickening agents.  The above three Kormas except South Indian Kurmas are richer versions normally laced with Malai(Fresh Cream)/Condensed Milk.
     This White Korma is one dish we usually order at a local restaurant. It is a sweet Curry and my kids love this dish.  I usually make Maida(All-purpose Flour) Chapati or Naan to go along with this Shahi Korma. This Chicken Shahi Korma goes well with Parotta/Rotis, Chapatis, Naan, Kulcha and Parottas.  It also tastes great with Biriyanis, Pulaos & Ghee Rice too.

For more KORMA/KURMA Recipes, Click here...

Cuisine  -  Indian (North India)
Course - Side Dish
Spice Level - Low
Difficulty - Medium
Serves - 4
Author - SM

Preparation Time - 20-30 Minutes
Cooking Time - 30 - 45 Minutes

HOW TO COOK CHICKEN SHAHI KORMA - WHITE KORMA

INGREDIENTS :

For Chicken Shahi Korma :

Chicken - 1/2 Kg.
Onion - 1 No.
Green Chillies - 3-4 Nos.
Ginger - 1" Piece
Garlic - 5-6 Cloves
Coriander Powder - 3 Tspn
Garam Masala - 11/2 Tspn
Yogurt/Curd - 1/2 Cup
Fresh Cream - 1/2 Cup
Condensed Milk - 1/4 Cup
Black Salt - 1/2 Tspn
Oil - 2 Tbspn
Butter - 2 Tbspn
Salt - To Taste
Sugar - 2 Tbspn

Spices :

Cardamom - 5 Pods
Cinnamon 1" Stick - 2 Nos.
Bay Leaf - 1 Leaf
Cloves - 5-6 Nos.

To Dry Roast and Powder :

Mace - Few Petals
Nutmeg - 1/2 Tspn.

To Soak and Grind : 

Poppy Seeds - 11/2 Tspn
Almonds - 7 Nos.
Cashew nuts -  7 Nos.

To Garnish :

Coriander Leaves - Few
Saffron - Few Strands

METHOD :

• Dry Roast Mace and Nutmeg until fragrant on a very flame for few minutes.
• Grind this into a fine powder and keep it aside.
• Dry Roast Poppy Seeds separately until the seeds pop. Soak the Poppy seeds in few tablespoons of hot water for about 20-30 Minutes.
• Blanch Almonds and soak it in hot water along with Cashew nuts for at least 10-20 Minutes
• Grind Onions, Ginger & Garlic to a fine paste and keep it aside.
• Heat Oil and Butter in a wide pan, splutter the ingredients mentioned under 'Spices', until fragrant.
• Add Chicken pieces to the above oil and sear it until the colour changes for about 10-12 Minutes.
• Pour in the ground Onion, Ginger Garlic Paste and saute it until fragrant.
• Add Coriander Powder, Garam Masala to the above and fry for a while until oil separates from the mix.
• Pour in the Yoghurt/Curd and mix well.
• Sprinkle some water and cook the Chicken pieces on a low flame until chicken is well cooked.
• Add finely chopped Green Chillies and give a quick stir.
• Meanwhile, beat the fresh cream and keep it aside.
• Grind soaked Almonds, Cashewnuts and Poppy Seeds to a fine paste.
• Once the Chicken pieces turn soft pour in the Almond-Cashew Paste and cook on a very low flame for few minutes.
• Add Condensed milk and give a quick stir.
• Adjust the consistency and cook on a low flame for a while.
• Sprinkle the dry roasted Mace and Nutmeg powder.
• Follow it up with Black Salt & Sugar to the Chicken Shahi Korma.
• Finally, pour the beaten Cream and mix well.
• Switch off the flame.
• Serve Chicken Shahi Korma hot garnished with finely chopped Coriander Leaves and Saffron strands.

NOTES:

• Dry Roasting and Soaking Poppy seeds in hot water help you to grind it into a fine paste and also gives a perfect thick consistency to Chicken Shahi Korma.
• This is a White Shahi Korma, so I have not added Turmeric Powder and Red Chilli Powder.
• Can substitute Green Chillies and add the above spices to Shahi Korma.
• This is a mildly spiced and sweet Korma.
• Adjust the number of Green Chillies to suit your spice level.
• Adjust the amount of Condensed milk and Sugar to your taste.
• If you do not like the curry to be sweet avoid adding sugar and add Milk/Milk Powder instead of Condensed Milk.
• This is a thick gravy, adjust the consistency to suit your preference.
• Can prepare the same gravy with Lamb too. Cook lamb accordingly.
• Goes well with Biriyanis, Pulaos,  Ghee Rice/Nei Choru or just simply serve it with steamed white rice or Basmati Rice.
• Chicken Shahi Korma pairs well with Naan, Kulcha, Parotta/Roti and Chapatis, especially Maida(All-purpose Flour) Chapatis.

Royal Nawabi Egg Korma - Rich Awadhi Delight

Discover the Rich Flavours of Nawabi Egg Korma: A Royal Indian Delight

When it comes to the quintessential curries of India, the Korma stands out as a regal choice. This indulgent dish, with its velvety texture and aromatic spices, is a true feast for the senses. Let’s dive into the world of Nawabi Egg Korma, a rich and creamy curry from Awadhi cuisine that is deeply rooted in Mughal culinary traditions.

What is Nawabi Egg Korma?

    Nawabi Egg Korma is a luxurious curry that showcases the art of slow cooking. Originating from the royal kitchens of Awadh, this dish reflects the grandeur of Mughal and Nawabi cuisines. It features hard-boiled eggs simmered in a luscious sauce made from ghee (clarified butter), yoghurt, a blend of aromatic spices, and a thick paste of nuts and poppy seeds, finished with a touch of fresh cream or milk.

Ingredients That Make Korma Special

Each ingredient in Nawabi Egg Korma plays a crucial role in achieving its distinctive taste:

• Yoghurt/Curd: Adds a tender texture to the eggs and a subtle tanginess.
• Spices: Infuses the dish with its unique and aromatic flavour profile.
• Blanched Nuts (Cashews/Almonds) and Poppy Seeds: Act as thickening agents, providing a rich, creamy consistency.
• Fresh Cream/Milk: Enhances the richness and smoothness of the curry.
• Saffron: Imparts a delicate colour and fragrant undertone.

The Art of Cooking Korma

Traditionally, Nawabi Egg Korma is prepared using a technique called Dum-Pukht, where the curry is cooked slowly on a low flame with the lid on, allowing the flavours to meld without curdling the yoghurt. For ease, you can achieve a similar result by slow-cooking the curry in a pan. The hard-boiled eggs are first marinated with salt and turmeric, then shallow-fried before being added to the korma, ensuring they absorb all the rich flavours.

Variations of Korma Across India

In India, Korma is known by various names and styles:

• Mughlai Korma
• Shahi Korma
• Nawabi Korma
• Kashmiri Korma
• South Indian Kurma

    While Mughlai, Shahi, Nawabi, and Kashmiri Kormas typically use nuts and cream as thickening agents, South Indian Kurmas rely on coconut and poppy seeds. The South Indian version is a delightful curry that pairs well with both roti and rice.

Perfect Pairings for Nawabi Egg Korma

This Nawabi Egg Korma is incredibly versatile and complements a variety of dishes. Serve it with:

• Indian Breads: Parotta, Chapatis, Naan, Kulcha
• Rice Dishes: Biryani, Pulao, Ghee Rice

For a complete meal experience, enjoy it with Maida (all-purpose flour) chapati or naan.

For more delicious Korma/Kurma recipes, click here...

Cuisine: Indian (North India)
Course: Side Dish
Spice Level: Low
Difficulty: Medium
Serves: 4
Author: SM

Preparation Time: 20–30 Minutes
Cooking Time: 30–45 Minutes

For more recipes with Eggs, click here...

Nawabi Egg Korma - Rich & Creamy Awadhi Egg Curry

    Elevate your curry game with Nawabi Egg Korma, a sumptuous dish steeped in the rich culinary traditions of Awadhi and Mughlai cuisines. This recipe combines creamy yoghurt, fragrant spices, and slow-cooked eggs to create a dish fit for royalty.

Ingredients

For Cooking and Frying the Eggs

4 Eggs
Salt: To Taste
1/2 teaspoon Turmeric Powder
Oil: For Shallow Frying

For a detailed guide on making perfect hard-boiled eggs, click here...

For Nawabi Egg Korma

1 Onion, finely chopped
3-4 Green Chillies, slit
1-inch piece Ginger
5-6 Garlic Cloves
1/2 teaspoon Turmeric Powder
1 teaspoon Red Chilli Powder
1.5 teaspoons Cumin Powder
3 teaspoons Coriander Powder
1/2 cup Yoghurt/Curd
1 cup Milk
1/4 cup Birista (Fried Onions)
3 tablespoons Oil
Salt: To Taste
1 tablespoon Sugar

 

Spices

3 Cardamom Pods
1-inch piece Cinnamon, 2 sticks
1 Bay Leaf
5–6 Cloves

 

To Soak and Grind

1.5 teaspoons Poppy Seeds
10 Almonds
10 Cashew Nuts

 

To Garnish

1.5 teaspoons Garam Masala
1/4 cup Birista (Fried Onions)
2 tablespoons Ghee
A few Coriander Leaves (optional)
A few Saffron Strands (optional)

 

Method

Preparing and Frying the Eggs

• Hard Boil the Eggs: Boil the eggs until firm, then peel.
• Marinate: Rub the eggs with salt and turmeric powder. Let them marinate for 5-10 minutes.
• Shallow Fry: Heat oil in a pan. Fry the marinated eggs until they are golden brown and crispy. Set aside.

Making Nawabi Egg Korma

• Prepare Nut Paste: Dry roast poppy seeds on low heat until they pop. Soak them in hot water for 20–30 minutes. Blanch almonds and cashew nuts in hot water for 10–20 minutes. Grind the soaked nuts and poppy seeds into a fine paste.
• Make Onion-Ginger-Garlic Paste: Grind onions, ginger, and garlic into a smooth paste.
• Cook Spices: Heat oil in a wide pan. Add cardamom, cinnamon, bay leaf, and cloves. Sauté until fragrant.
• Add Paste: Add the onion-ginger-garlic paste and cook until fragrant.
• Spice It Up: Stir in turmeric powder, red chilli powder, cumin powder, and coriander powder. Pour in 1/2 cup of water and cook until the masalas are well-cooked and the oil separates.
• Add Nut Paste: Mix in the nut paste and cook on low heat, stirring frequently.
• Incorporate Yoghurt: Stir in the yoghurt and green chillies. Cook for a few minutes.
• Add Eggs: Gently add the shallow-fried eggs to the korma. Cook on low heat.
• Add Milk: Pour in the milk and simmer for 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally. Be careful not to break the eggs.
• Final Touches: Add birista, sugar, and adjust the salt. Cook until the korma reaches your desired consistency.
• Garnish: Sprinkle garam masala, remaining birista, and ghee. Optionally, garnish with coriander leaves and saffron strands.

Notes

• Poppy Seeds: Dry roasting and soaking help create a smooth paste and thick consistency.
• Spice Level: Adjust green chillies to your preferred spice level.
• Sugar: Optional, but recommended for balancing the flavours.
• Consistency: Adjust thickness as desired.
• Variations: This recipe can be adapted with chicken or lamb. Cook the meat according to your preference.
• Serving Suggestions: Enjoy with Parotta, Chapatis, Naan, Kulcha or with Rice Dishes like Biryani, Pulao, Ghee Rice or steamed rice.

Royal Nawabi Egg Korma - Elegant Awadhi Cuisine

*How to Make Birista (Fried Onions)

    Fried onions add a delightful crunch and depth of flavour to your korma. Here's how to make them:

Ingredients

2 Onions, thinly sliced
Salt: To Taste
Oil: For Frying

 

Method

• Prepare Onions: Peel and slice onions thinly. Pat dry with a towel to remove excess moisture.
• Fry Onions: Heat oil in a pan to cover the onion slices. Fry on medium-high heat until golden brown, stirring regularly.
• Drain and Store: Remove from oil and drain on paper towels. Cool completely and store in an airtight container. They stay fresh for up to a month when refrigerated.

*Tips: Ensure onion slices are evenly cut and moisture-free for crispy results.

VEGETABLE KURMA

     Kurma/Korma/Kuruma is a curry made with Vegetables/Chicken/Meat, along with spices, ground Coconut/Nuts Paste/Curd(yogurt). The taste of this curry is mainly from the spices and the ground coconut paste added to it.  Kurma as such differs with regions - every region has a different base, garnish or spice combination. North Indian Kormas are mostly prepared with meat braised in Ghee (clarified butter), Curd/Yogurt and Spices. It is finally laced up with the blanched nuts ground to a paste, some recipes add Cream/Malai instead of nuts. Whereas South Indian Kurmas are prepared with ground Coconut Paste or Coconut Milk.
     This Vegetable Kurma recipe is a South Indian version, like the one mostly served in local restaurants. The base for the South Indian Kurma is Coconut Milk and Grated Fresh Coconut.  Addition of Coconut changes the taste of the Kurma entirely and gives it a uniquely delicious flavour, different from the ones enjoyed in Pakistan and North India.The spices and condiments are sauteed in ghee to give this Curry a distinctive taste.
      If there is a curry with lots of vegetables and also if my kids eat it without any complaint... then it is Vegetable Kurma.  I love to add a lot of vegetables to the curry, I usually love to eat them as I can cut down a lot of Carbs by doing so.  This is a wonderful, flavour-filled, rich & creamy gravy.  The secret behind thick Vegetable Kurma is the Coconut mix ground along with Cashewnuts & Poppy Seeds into a fine Paste.
     Basically, vegetables like Carrots, Beans, Green Peas, Cauliflower, Beets, Potatoes, Turnips are the few ingredients used in Kurmas, a true vegetarian delight.  Also adding Turmeric is purely optional in this dish. Optional additions of ingredients to the Kurma may depend on one’s personal choice and taste.

Cuisine : South Indian
Recipe Type : Curry, Gravy
Course : Side Dish
Spice Level  : medium
Difficulty : Low
Serves : 3- 4
Author : SM

Preparation Time - 20-30 Minutes
Cooking Time - 30-45 Minutes

HOW TO COOK VEGETABLE KURMA

INGREDIENTS :

Vegetables :

Carrots - 1/2 Cup
French Beans - 1/4 Cup
Cauliflower - few Florets
Green Peas - 1/4 Cup
Potato - 1/2 Cup

To Saute :

Onion - 1 No.
Curry Leaves - 2 Sprigs
Bay Leaf - 1 No.
Fennel Seeds - 1/2 Tspn
Turmeric - 1/2 Tspn
Coriander Powder - 2 Tspn
Yogurt/Curd - 1 Cup
Salt - To Taste
Oil /Ghee - 2 Tbspn

For Masala Paste :

Onion - 1 No.
Garlic - 6-8 Cloves
Ginger - 1" Piece
Green Chillies - 6 Nos.
Tomato - 1 No.
Cloves - 3 Nos.
Cinnamon - 1" Stick
Fennel Seeds - 1 Tspn
Cardamom - 2 Pods

For Coconut Paste :

Coconut -1/2 Cup
Cashew nuts - 10 -12 Nos.
Poppy Seeds(Khus Khus) - 2 Tbspns

To Garnish : 

Coriander Leaves - Few

METHOD :

• Clean, wash and dice the Vegetables into small pieces. 
• Grind the ingredients mentioned under 'For Masala' to a fine paste and keep it aside.
• Soak Poppy Seeds in 1 Tbspn of warm water for about 10-15 minutes and grind it along with grated Coconut and Cashew nuts to a fine paste.
• Heat Ghee/Oil in a Pan, splutter Fennel Seeds and Bay Leaves.  
• Saute Onions and Curry leaves on a low flame until onions turn translucent.
• Pour in the ground Masala Paste and saute it on a low flame until raw flavour goes.
• Add Turmeric and Coriander Powder to the above and fry for a while on a low flame until it turns fragrant and oil separates from the mix.
• Pour Curd/Yogurt and mix well.
• Add diced Vegetables to the Kurma Masala along with Salt and a pinch of Sugar.
• Add enough water, cover and cook until vegetables are well-cooked.
• Open the lid and give the Kurma a quick stir.
• Pour in the ground Coconut Paste and mix well.
• Allow it to boil on a very low flame until raw flavour goes, stirring occasionally.
• Remove from fire and garnish it with Coriander Leaves.
• Serve Vegetable Kurma hot with any dish of your choice.
• Vegetable Kurma goes well with Roti, Chapati, Parotta, Idli, Dosa, Uthappam, Idiyappam &Appam.
• Vegetable Kurma is a good accompaniment for rice dishes like, Ghee Rice, Peas Pulao, Jeera Rice etc.,

NOTES :

• Can use any classic vegetables for this Vegetable Kurma.  
• Can use Turnips, Beets, few cubes of Paneer etc., along with vegetables mentioned above.
• Alternatively, can pre-cook the vegetables and then add it to the Kurma Masala.
• Cooking the vegetables in Kurma Masala gives more flavour filled Curry.
• Adding Yogurt is optional, but it gives a wonderful silky texture to the curry.
• Adjust the number of Green Chillies to suit your spice level.
• Soaking the Poppy seeds prior to grinding yields a thick coconut paste.
• Do not over boil or cook on a high flame, once coconut paste is added to the Curry. This can curdle the Curry and make it watery.
• Can splutter whole spices instead of grinding them along with Onion and Tomato.
• Adding a pinch of Sugar while cooking the vegetables is to retain the colour of the vegetables.
• For a richly flavoured Vegetable Kurma, saute the ingredients in Ghee.
• Add full-boiled eggs and convert this Kurma recipe into Egg Kurma.
• Can convert the same recipe into Chicken Kurma /Mutton Kurma.

     Chicken Kurma - this is a South Indian version of the Mughlai grandeur which once graced the banquet tables of the nobles and the rich. This Chicken Kurma recipe is rich, creamy, cooked extensively with Spices and laced with Curd/Yogurt & ground Coconut Paste.  This Chicken Kurma recipe is quite similar to the Vegetable Kurma recipe.  
     Unlike the rich Shahi Korma, which uses Yogurt, Cream, Nuts & Saffron lavishly, this Chicken Kurma recipe is a simple recipe in terms of ingredients & cooking.  Adapted to suit the South Indian taste buds.  This is one of my favourite and all-time easy recipe.  When I am in a mood of quick & simple cooking, I would surely not be in a mood to go ponder my recipe books for different recipes.  Then obviously this is one recipe which comes to mind - which needs, not much of thinking and preparation according to me.
    As a family norm, I add a few chunks of Potatoes to the Chicken Kurma Recipe. Potatoes pair well with Chicken/Mutton/Beef in this Curry.  If I am pairing this curry with Dosa, my son would always ask me to prepare Kal Dosai or soft White Dosa.  Chicken Kurma tastes great with this combination. This is one curry which pairs well with both Roti & Rice.  A Sunday lunch with Chicken Kurma paired with Rice/Ghee Rice/Peas Pulao, and the leftover Curry can be easily sneaked for Dinner as a side dish for Chapati, Parotta, Idli, Dosa, Uthappam, Idiyappam, Appam, Puttu etc.,


For more Recipes with CHICKEN, Click here...


Cuisine - South Indian
Recipe Type - Curry, Gravy
Course - Side Dish
Spice Level  - Medium
Serves - 3- 4
Author - SM

Preparation Time - 20-30 Minutes
Cooking Time - 30-45 Minutes

HOW TO COOK CHICKEN KURMA

INGREDIENTS :

For Chicken Kurma :

Chicken - 500 Gms
Onion - 1 No.
Curry Leaves - 2 Sprigs
Bay Leaf - 1 No.
Fennel Seeds - 1/2 Tspn
Turmeric - 1/2 Tspn
Red Chilli Powder - 1 Tspn
Coriander Powder - 2 Tspn
Yogurt/Curd - 1 Cup
Salt - To Taste
Oil /Ghee - 2 Tbspn

For Masala Paste :

Onion - 1 No.
Garlic - 6-8 Cloves
Ginger - 1" Piece
Green Chillies - 3-4 Nos.
Tomato - 1 No.
Cloves - 3 Nos.
Cinnamon - 1" Stick
Fennel Seeds - 1 Tspn
Cardamom - 2 Pods

For Coconut Paste :

Coconut -1/2 Cup
Cashew nuts - 10 -12 Nos.
Poppy Seeds(Khus Khus) - 2 Tbspns

To Garnish : 

Coriander Leaves - Few

METHOD :

• Clean, Cut & Wash the Chicken into pieces. 
• Drain the Chicken pieces in a colander.
• Grind the ingredients mentioned under 'For Masala' to a fine paste and keep it aside.
• Soak Poppy Seeds in 1 Tbspn of warm water for about 10-15 minutes and grind it along with grated Coconut and Cashew nuts to a fine paste.
• Heat Ghee/Oil in a Pan, splutter Fennel Seeds and Bay Leaves.  
• Pan sear the Chicken Pieces in Ghee/Oil until the colour changes.
• Sear the Chicken pieces on a low flame.
• Saute Onions and Curry leaves on a low flame until onions turn translucent.
• Pour in the ground Masala Paste and saute it on a low flame until the raw flavour goes.
• Add Turmeric Powder, Red Chilli Powder and Coriander Powder to the above and fry for a while on a low flame until it turns fragrant and oil separates from the mix.
• Pour Curd/Yogurt and mix well.
• Add a dash of Salt and a pinch of Sugar.
• Add enough water, cover and cook until Chicken Pieces are well-cooked.
• Open the lid and give the Kurma a quick stir.
• Pour in the ground Coconut Paste and mix well.
• Allow it to boil on a very low flame until the raw flavour goes, stirring occasionally.
• Remove from fire and garnish it with Coriander Leaves.
• Serve Chicken Kurma hot with any dish of your choice.
• Chicken Kurma goes well with Roti, Chapati, Parotta, Idli, Dosa, Uthappam, Idiyappam &Appam.
• Chicken Kurma is a good accompaniment for rice dishes like Ghee Rice, Peas Pulao, Jeera Rice etc.,

NOTES :

• Pan-seared and slow-cooked Chicken in Kurma Masala yields more flavour filled Curry.
• Adding Yogurt is optional, but it gives a wonderful silky texture to the curry.
• Adjust the number of Green Chillies and the amount of Red Chilli Powder to suit your spice level.
• Adding Red Chilli Powder is purely optional.
• Soaking the Poppy Seeds prior to grinding yields a thick coconut paste.
• Do not over boil or cook on a high flame, once coconut paste is added to the Chicken Kurma. This can curdle the Curry and make it watery.
• Can splutter whole spices instead of grinding them along with Onion and Tomato.
• For a richly flavoured Chicken Kurma, saute the ingredients in Ghee.
• Add full-boiled eggs and convert this Kurma recipe into Egg Kurma.
• Add Vegetables and convert the same recipe into Vegetable Kurma for a complete Vegetarian treat.
• Can add Mutton/Beef instead of Chicken and adjust the cooking time accordingly.

     

CHRISTMAS/NEW YEAR EVE MENU

     There are numerous Christmas/New Year Eve Menu from all Around the World that bring a taste unique to the land and there are various menus which could be taken as inspiration too. Even there are food traditions strictly followed related to each festival around the world. For each New Year, every culture summons upon specific food for good luck for the next 365 Days, food that connotes Prosperity, Health and Good Luck.
     But what I can always flaunt is the set of Recipes I usually cook up for a Party, very much Indian to heart with a combination of dishes from various Regional Cuisines and a few from Around the World along with traditional must-have Dishes. In my opinion, Festival is always synonymous not to good food but to GREAT FOOD.
     Let me bring you a new set of menu choice for this year's Christmas/New Year Eve Menu.  Here I have tried to bring out a collection of those recipes put together for a quick Menu Planning. Throw your Party with a fabulous selection of Recipes in an Indian style, including Traditional Cakes, Home-made Wines, recipes for Appetizers, Indian Breads, Side Dishes, Flavoured Rice, Raithas and finish off your meal with a wonderful combination of Desserts & Drinks.

CHRISTMAS/NEW YEAR EVE MENU :

Let's begin the Party with...

Cakes & Wine 

CAKES & WINE

FIRST COURSE :

Appetizers/Starters 

APPETIZERS/STARTERS

 

SECOND COURSE :

  IDIYAPPAM-MUTTON PAYA /BUTTER NAAN WITH CURRIES

INDIAN BREAD & CURRIES

THIRD COURSE :

  CHICKEN/MUTTON BIRIYANI WITH SIDE DISHES & RAITHAS

 

• Plain Naan – the simplest form served as such.
• Butter Naan – which is brushed with ghee or butter.
• Garlic Naan – topped with crushed garlic and butter.
• Kulcha  – topped with onions/scallions.
  
• Keema/Afghani Naan – filled with minced lamb.
• Roghani Naan – sprinkled with sesame seeds.
• Peshawari Naan and Kashmiri Naan –  slightly sweeter version, filled with a mixture of nuts and raisins/dates.
• Paneer Naan – stuffed with a Paneer and flavoured with mild condiments.
• Amritsari/Aloo Naan – stuffed with mashed potatoes and spices from Amritsar, India. 

Cuisine : North India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Iran, Uzbekistan, TajikistanCourse : Main Course
Difficulty : Medium
Serves : 3-4
Yields : 24 Pieces of Naan
Author : SM

Preparation Time : 15-20 Minutes
Leavening Time : 3-4 Hours
Cooking Time : 20 - 30 Minutes

HOW TO MAKE BUTTER NAAN

INGREDIENTS :

 

For Butter Naan:

 

METHOD:

• Activate the Yeast in 1/4 a cup of Warm Water along with 2-3 teaspoons of Sugar and leave it aside to ferment.
• Sieve the Flour along with Baking Powder and Salt once.  
• Add Sugar and Butter to the flour and mix well.  
• Make a well in the centre and pour the Curd and Yeast mixture.
• Make a soft dough by adding the required amount of milk, little by little.
• Add melted Ghee/Oil to the dough and knead it again for 3-4 minutes until the dough is pliable.
• Cover the dough with a wet cloth and keep it aside for 4 hours or until the dough doubles up.
• Once the dough has doubled up, knead it again. Keep it aside for an hour(if time permits).
• Take one big orange sized amount of dough and roll it out, as for chapatis, but a little thicker.  
• Cut it into half or you can roll it out into triangles, or into teardrop/oval shape.
• It can be rolled into a circle and then cut it into two/four or roll it out into any desired shape.