1 1/2 C red lentils
3 1/2 C water
6 serrano chilies (or 3 jalepeno?), either whole or sliced in
quarters
1/4 t turmeric, or more to taste
1 1/2 t salt

4 T ghee, butter or vegetable oil
1 C minced onions
1 C chopped tomatoes
1 T grated fresh ginger

2 T ghee or vegetable oil
1 T panch phanon mix
4 dried small red chilies
1-3 cloves garlic

There are three basic steps to this recipe: cooking the lentils in water,
making a tomato/onion/ginger mush, and making a spiced oil.

1. Rinse lentils well, add water, serrano chilies, turmeric and salt.
Bring carefully to boil and cook over low to medium heat, partially
covered, for 25 minutes. Cover and cook another 10 minutes. Adjust
salt.

2. While lentils are cooking, cook onions in a frying pan in the oil until
they are golden brown (approximately 10 minutes), stirring constantly.
Add tomatoes and ginger and continue cooking until the tomatoes
decompose into a delicious and fragrant mush (approximately 8 minutes.)
Stir constantly so that tomato mixture doesn’t stick. Turn heat to low
if necessary.

3. Scrape out this mush into the lentils and stir it in. Let lentils sit
while you make the spiced oil.

4. Do a quick rinse of the frying pan, without soap, and dry thoroughly.
Add the remaining 2T oil and heat over medium high heat. When oil is
hot add panch phanon mix and heat until the seeds begin to pop, about 15
seconds. Add red chilies and fry for another 15 seconds, until they
turn a little darker. Turn off heat and add the crushed garlic and let
sizzle for about 30 seconds. Stir this mixture into the lentil/tomato
mixture and serve with rice. Adjust salt.

—————
Using ghee changes the taste compared with oil. I prefer it for step 4. It
tastes good either way though.

8 medium pieces (about 800 grams) of chicken
2 cup(s) flavored rice(basmati)
4 cups water
1 cup(s) yoghurt
1 teaspoon(s) each of red chilli, turmeric and hot spice mix (garam masala) powders
1 tablespoon(s) each of ginger and garlic pastes
2 tablespoons clarified butter (ghee) / butter
salt to taste
2 medium sized onions cut into fine rings
browned onion rings and finely chopped coriander leaves for garnishing

Make cuts on the chicken pieces. In a bowl combine the yoghurt, red chilli powder, garam masala, half the ginger-garlic pastes and turmeric powder with the salt. Rub this paste onto the chicken pieces. Keep aside for about an hour. Brown the onion rings in a little hot clarified butter (ghee) / butter and keep aside.

Heat the clarified butter (ghee) / butter in a heavy-bottomed pan. Add the remaining ginger-garlic pastes, turmeric powder and saute for a few seconds. Drop in the chicken pieces and saute on a medium level for about 2 minute(s).
Cover and cook on low level for another 12 minutes or till the chicken pieces are half done.
Add the rice,water and salt to taste. Bring to a boil. Cover and cook on low level for another 15 minutes or till the rice is done and all water is evaporated.
Garnish with crunchy brown onions and finely chopped coriander leaves.

TIPS:

Traditionally flavored rice or Basmati rice is used for this recipe. If it is difficult to obtain Basmati rice, (it may be available in Indian stores) any other long-grained rice is fine.
If one likes the rice grains to be firm but fully cooked, then the water content can be reduced a little.
To get crunchy brown onion rings, just add a little salt while frying. Salt takes away the moisture from the onion rings leaving them crunchy.
Traditionally this is a very lengthy recipe and is cooked in an earthen pot for many hours on very low fire. Comparatively the above version is short, quick and as tasty.
Serve hot with: Fried Okra in Yoghurt (Bhindi Dahi) or any other yoghurt dish of your choice.

4 tablespoons ghee (clarified butter) / butter
1 cup(s) semolina (or quick cream of wheat)
1 teaspoon(s) each of mustard and cumin seeds
1 sprig(s) curry leaves
1 teaspoon(s) ginger chopped
2 green chilli(es) slit / chopped
2 onion(s) sliced finely
1 large tomato(es) chopped
4 tablespoons coriander leaves
2 tablespoon(s) grated coconut if available
2 cup(s) hot water
salt to taste
fried cashewnuts to garnish

Heat half of the ghee (clarified butter) in a pan. Fry semolina, stirring continuously, to a golden color on medium / low level for about 2 minute(s). Keep aside.
Heat the remaining ghee (clarified butter) in a pan. Toss in the mustard seeds followed by the cumin seeds and fry till the seeds splutter fully. Add the curry leaves, ginger, green chillies and onions. Stir fry on medium level for about 3 minutes or till the onions are transparent and soft.
Add the chopped tomatoes and fry on medium level for about 3 minutes or till they are soft and cooked. Add half of the coriander leaves (reserving the rest for garnishing) and fry briefly till they wilt.
Mix in the semolina and salt. Add the hot water to this and mix well. Add more hot water if the mixture is dry. Cover and cook on low heat for about 3 minutes or till the mixture is almost dry.
Garnish with fried cashewnuts, grated coconut and finely chopped coriander leaves

TIPS:

Ghee is very important to impart flavor to this dish. A combination of oil and ghee/butter can also be used.
Green chillies can be increased if desired.
It is better to heat more water than specified above in case it is required.
Serve hot with: Coconut Chutney (Nariyal Chutney)

8 medium sized pieces (about 800 grams) of chicken
2 tablespoon(s) yoghurt
2 tablespoons clarified butter (ghee) / butter / oil
4 medium onions finely chopped
1 teaspoon(s) hot spice mix (garam masala) powder
2 bay leaves
salt to taste
finely chopped fresh coriander leaves to garnish

To be ground
½ teaspoon(s) turmeric powder
2 tablespoon(s) cashewnut bits soaked in some water
4 whole dry red chillies roasted
1 tablespoon(s) each of poppy and cumin seeds roasted
½ teaspoon(s) nutmeg grated
1 teaspoon(s) blade of mace
1 teaspoon(s) each of red chilli powder and black peppercorns
1″ piece cinnamon broken
2 cloves
2 green cardamom(s) pounded

Fry a small portion of the chopped onions in a little hot clarified butter (ghee)/ butter / oil till they are well browned. Let it cool and grind it along with the ingredients to be ground to a fine paste. Mix this paste with the yoghurt, rub it onto the chicken pieces and marinate for a few hours in the refrigerator.
Heat the clarified butter (ghee) / butter / oil in a heavy bottomed pan till hot. Add the bay leaves and fry for a few seconds. Add the remaining chopped onions and saute on medium level for about 3 minute(s) or till the onions are light brown in color.
Add the chicken pieces , hot spice mix and salt to taste. Cover and cook on low level for about 25 minutes or till the chicken is fully cooked.
Garnish with finely chopped fresh coriander leaves.

TIP:

The cashewnut pieces can be replaced by the same measure of chickpea flour to thicken the gravy.
Serve hot with: Cumin Rice (Jeera Chawal), white rice or Indian bread (Roti).
(from syvum.com)

8 chicken drumsticks with skin
1 teaspoon(s) garlic paste
½ teaspoon(s) ginger paste
1 tablespoon(s) blackpepper powder
salt to taste
2 teaspoon(s) lemon juice
2 egg whites
breadcumbs to roll

Wash the chicken drumsticks and pat dry. Rub all the ingredients except egg whites and breadcrumbs into the chicken and leave to marinate for about 2 hours.
Beat the egg whites well with some salt and pepper. Dip each chicken drumstick in the egg white, roll in bread crumbs and deep fry in hot oil three to four drumsticks at a time till they are cooked through, crisp and golden. Drain into a bowl lined with paper towel and keep warm till the remaining chicken drumsticks are fried.
TIPS:

The drumsticks can be skinned if desired.
The amount of blackpepper powder can be increased or decreased as desired.
Serve hot with: a mayonnaise based dip or salad like coleslaw.

Ingredients

1 3lb chicken
4 cloves garlic
1 medium fresh green chili
1 2 inch piece ginger
2 c. onion, finely chopped
8 cardamom pods
9 cloves
Total butter: 1 stick

Method

CUT one 3-lb chicken, skin removed, into 10 pieces.

COMBINE and process for 15 seconds: 4 garlic cloves, halved 1 medium fresh hot green chili, seeded, one 2-inch piece fresh ginger, peeled, coarsely chopped

ADD and process 15 seconds: 2 cups finely chopped onions

ADD and process 15 seconds: 8 cardamom pods, cracked 9 cloves

SET ASIDE.

HEAT in large saucepan/ skillet: 3 Tablespoons butter (heat until foam is going down)

BROWN on medium heat: 1/2 the chicken pieces (“lightly browned on all sides) Transfer to plate, repeat with 3 more tablespoons butter and remaining chicken.

ADD TO PAN and cook, stirring constantly: The rest the butter The garlic/onion/spice mixture Cook it for 10 minutes or until liquid has evaporated.

ADD and cook 2 minutes, stirring constantly: 2 teaspoons cumin seeds 1 teaspoon chili powder (unspiced ground chili peppers) One 1 1/2 inch piece cinnamon stick

ADD and cook, stirring often, 10 minutes: One 16 ounce can whole tomatoes, chopped, with juice 1/2 teaspoon salt (sounds silly, with that in butter and tomatoes)

ADD: The chicken and its juices

REDUCE HEAT to low, cook covered 30 minutes, until chicken is tender and sauce is thickened.

GARNISH WITH: 1/4 cup fresh coriander (for 6)

Ingredients

3 in piece of fresh ginger peeled and coarsely chopped
3 tbsps peeled and coarsely chopped garlic
6-8 lamb chops from the ribs, remove all extra fat
8 fl oz grated or finely chopped tomatoes
2 medium sized onions very finely chopped
1 tbsp cayenne
12 fl oz Greek yoghurt beaten
1 1/2 tsps salt
1 tsp ground roasted cumin seeds
1-2 tsps Punjabi garam masala
3 tbsps lemon juice
2-3 tbsps chopped fresh green coriander

Method

Put the ginger and garlic into the container of an electric blender with 2-3 tablespoons of water and blend to a paste. Put the chops, tomatoes, onions, cayenne pepper, yoghurt, salt and ginger-garlic paste into a large wok or heavy-bottomed saucepan. Stir and bring to the boil. Turn the heat to low, cover and simmer for 50 minutes or until the chops are almost cooked. Add the cumin seeds and simmer for 10 to 15 minutes or until the meat is tender and the sauce thick. Add the garam masala and lemon juice and stir. Sprinkle fresh coriander over the top and serve.

TIPS
In the Punjab, tomatoes are grated to make a puree. Don’t be tempted to use ready-prepared tomato puree instead of fresh. The spice combinations in garam masala vary in different parts of India. In the Punjab this one which you can try making yourself is common: 5 tbsps coriander seeds, 3 tbsps cumin seeds, 2 1/2 tbsps black peppercorns, 2 1/2 black cardamom seeds, 2 in cinnamon stick, 4-5 cloves, 1/6 nutmeg. Put the coriander and the cumin into a cast-iron frying-pan over a medium heat. Stir until lightly roasted. Allow to cool. Grind with the remaining ingredients in a clean coffee grinder and store in a tightly lidded jar.
Copyright of the British Broadcasting Corporation

Posted by RB on Friday, January 18, 2002
Comments (2)
Chicken Curry with Tomatoes (Murgha Kari)
This dish from the Punjab takes only 30 minutes to prepare. In India fresh tomatoes would be used in this dish.

Ingredients

4 medium onions, chopped
2 tablespoons curry powder
1/2 cup butter or cooking oil
1 cup or 1 can (8 ounces)tomato sauce
2 teaspoons salt
1 frying chicken (2 to 3 pounds)
3/4 cup hot water

Method

Use a casserole or large skillet with lid. Cook onions and curry powder in butter for 10 to 15 minutes. Add tomato sauce and salt. Disjoint and skin chicken, and place in sauce. Cook, uncovered, over medium heat, turning frequently until sauce becomes quite dry and chicken tests done with fork, about 15 minutes. Add hot water, cover pot, and cook over low heat for 5 minutes. Makes 4 servings.

Basmati rice 2 cups
Water 3-1/2 cups
Eggs 6
Onion (thin-sliced) 1
Ginger paste 1 tsp.
Garlic paste 1 tsp.
Green chilli (thin-sliced) 2
Cloves 2-3
Black pepper 6-7
Bay leaves 2
Brown cardamom 1
Green cardamom 2
Red chilli powder 1 tsp.
Coriander powder 1 tsp.
Garam Masala Powder 1 tsp.
Cinnamon sticks (thin) 3-4 (1/2 inch each)
Cumin seeds 1 tsp.
Vegetable oil 4 tbsp.
Salt to taste
Chopped coriander leaves

Method:

1. Heat oil (3 tbsp.) in a pan. Add cumin seeds, green and brown cardamom, cinnamon sticks, cloves, black pepper and the bay leaves. Fry for a minute. Reduce the heat
2. Add sliced onion, green chilli, ginger garlic paste and fry until light golden brown.
3. Add red chilli powder, coriander powder, garam masala and salt. Mix well.
4. Add rice and water. Stir well. Cover it and cook for 20 miutes on medium heat. Slowly make the rice upside down once, while its getting cooked.
5. Meanwhile keep three eggs for boiling.
6. Take the remaining three eggs and beat in a bowl. Add salt to it and beat again.
7. Heat oil (1 tbsp.) in a pan. Pour the beaten eggs. Continuously stir it and cook until golden brown.
8. Cut the boiled eggs into rings (thin slices). Arrange in the corners of the serving dish plate.
9. Once you are done with the rice, add the scrambled eggs to the rice and slowly mix it taking care that you do not break the rice grains.
10. Put the rice in the centre of the dish plate.

Garnish with coriander leaves and serve hot.

Rice 1/4 cup
Milk 1 litre
Sugar 4 tbsp.
Cardamom powder 1/2 tsp.
Sliced almonds and cashew nuts 1/4 cup
Raisins 2 tbsp.

Method:

1. Boil milk in a heavy base saucepan.
2. Add rice, cardamom powder, raisins and half quantity of sliced almonds and cashew nuts. Bring one boil and then reduce the heat to medium. Cook until it becomes thick and creamy. Stir occasionally.
3. Add sugar and cook for 5 minutes.
4. Put kheer in a serving bowl and decorate with the remaining dry fruits. Refrigerate and serve.

Tomatoes 2
Onion 1
Ginger-garlic paste 1 tsp.
Green chilli 2
Corinader leaves 2 tbsp.
Curry leaves 1 tbsp.
Mustard seeds 1/2 tsp.
Cumin seeds 1 tsp.
Black pepper powder 1/4 tsp.
Red chilli powder 1/2 tsp.
Sugar 2 tsp.
Salt to taste
Vegetable oil 2 tbsp.

Method:

1. Cut onion, tomatoes and green chilli into small pieces.
2. Heat oil (1- 1/2 tbsp.) in a pan. Add cumin seeds and green chilli and fry for about 1 min.
3. Add pieces of onion, tomatoes, ginger-garlic paste, sugar and salt and cook until tender.
4. Remove from heat. On cooling, blend it in an electric blender along with the coriander leaves to make paste of medium consistency.
5. Heat remaining oil (1/2 tbsp.) in a small frying pan. Add mustard seeds and curry leaves. Fry until the seeds start splattering.
6. Add black pepper powder and red chilli powder. Pour over the tomato paste and stir well.