Kottayam Style - Nadan Chicken Paalu Curry

Strangely enough an impressionable memory of having this very authentic dish was not very long ago. Thanks to my ma-in-law's kitchen i should say that I've been hooked to a whole gamete of kottayam specialities . And after running our telephone meter with many an isd calls... here is my effort to recreate this central kerala speciality.

Ingredients:

Chicken....1 lb

Pepper Corns... 1 tsp

Onions, finely chopped... ½ cup
Ginger, minced fine.... ½ inch

Garlic, minced fine.... 4 pods
Turmeric powder..... 3/4 tsp

Pepper powder.... 1 ½ tsp
Dried Red chili ...... 1 no:s
Coriander powder..... 2 tbsp
Garam Masala..... 1 ½ tsp

Curry Leaves... 2 sprigs

Coconut Milk... ½ cup
Salt.... to taste
Oil..... as required

Green Chillies, finely chopped..... 5-6 no:s

Here is How:

Heat oil in a large Dutch Ovenover medium heat. Add onions & pinch of salt. Now stir in ginger, garlic & green chillies and saute for a couple of minute till onions are deep golden brown. Add all the spices and add diced tomatoes & cook till oil separates from tomatoes. Add the chicken to the pan and mix well to coat in gravy. Cover and cook for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. Reduce the heat to low, add coconut milk & curry leaves. Bring this to a simmering boil & remove from flame. Sprinkle garam masala & stir in.