Homestyle Chicken Masala

Ingredients

• Chicken - 1/2 kg
• Onion - 3 whole
• Green chili - 3 whole
• Chili powder - 2 tsp
• Coriander powder - 2 tsp
• Turmeric powder - 1 tsp
• Coconut - 1 whole
• Large tomato - 1 whole
• Cashew nuts - 5 whole
• Raisins - 5 whole
• Garlic - 3 clove
• Ginger - 1/2 piece
• Oil
• Salt
• Coriander leaves

Instructions

1. 1Heat a splash of oil in a pan over medium heat and fry the ginger and garlic until they turn golden and fragrant.
2. 2Add the onions and green chilies and cook until the onions are soft and beginning to brown; stir in the chili powder, coriander powder and turmeric powder, then add the chopped large tomato and cook until the tomato breaks down.
3. 3Let the onion-tomato mixture cool slightly, then grind it into a fine paste in a mixer to make the masala base.
4. 4Soak the cashew nuts and raisins in a little water for 5 mins, then grate the coconut and grind the soaked cashews, raisins and grated coconut into a smooth paste.
5. 5Pour the onion-tomato masala into a kadai or large pan, add sufficient water and bring the mixture to a boil to make a sauce.
6. 6Add the chicken pieces and salt to the boiling masala and cook the chicken well until it is cooked through.
7. 7Once the chicken is cooked, stir in the coconut-cashew paste, cover the pan with the lid and simmer for 10 mins to marry the flavors.
8. 8Garnish with coriander leaves before serving and enjoy with steamed rice or warm roti.
9. 9Optional: serve with a wedge of lemon or a spoonful of cooling yogurt if you like.