Chicken Tikka Masala

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• 1 cup yogurt
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 2 teaspoons cayenne pepper
• 2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
• 1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger
• 4 teaspoons salt, or to taste
• 3 boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-size pieces
• 4 long skewers
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• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 jalapeno pepper, finely chopped
• 2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 2 teaspoons paprika
• 3 teaspoons salt, or to taste
• 1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro

Directions

1. In a large bowl, combine yogurt, lemon juice, 2 teaspoons cumin, cinnamon, cayenne, black pepper, ginger, and 4 teaspoons salt. Stir in chicken, cover, and refrigerate for 1 hour.
2. Preheat a grill for high heat.
3. Lightly oil the grill grate. Thread chicken onto skewers, and discard marinade. Grill until juices run clear, about 5 minutes on each side.
4. Melt butter in a large heavy skillet over medium heat. Saute garlic and jalapeno for 1 minute. Season with 2 teaspoons cumin, paprika, and 3 teaspoons salt. Stir in tomato sauce and cream. Simmer on low heat until sauce thickens, about 20 minutes. Add grilled chicken, and simmer for 10 minutes. Transfer to a serving platter, and garnish with fresh cilantro.

Chicken Biryani

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• 4 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 4 small potatoes, peeled and halved
• 2 large onions, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger root
• 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 medium tomatoes, peeled and chopped
• 2 tablespoons plain yogurt
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh mint leaves
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom
• 1 (2 inch) piece cinnamon stick
• 3 pounds boneless, skinless chicken pieces cut into chunks
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• 2 1/2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 large onion, diced
• 1 pinch powdered saffron
• 5 pods cardamom
• 3 whole cloves
• 1 (1 inch) piece cinnamon stick
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1 pound basmati rice
• 4 cups chicken stock
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt

Directions

1. In a large skillet, in 2 tablespoons vegetable oil (or ghee) fry potatoes until brown, drain and reserve the potatoes. Add remaining 2 tablespoons oil to the skillet and fry onion, garlic and ginger until onion is soft and golden. Add chili, pepper, turmeric, cumin, salt and the tomatoes. Fry, stirring constantly for 5 minutes. Add yogurt, mint, cardamom and cinnamon stick. Cover and cook over low heat, stirring occasionally until the tomatoes are cooked to a pulp. It may be necessary to add a little hot water if the mixture becomes too dry and starts to stick to the pan.
2. When the mixture is thick and smooth, add the chicken pieces and stir well to coat them with the spice mixture. Cover and cook over very low heat until the chicken is tender, approximately 35 to 45 minutes. There should only be a little very thick gravy left when chicken is finished cooking. If necessary cook uncovered for a few minutes to reduce the gravy.
3. Wash rice well and drain in colander for at least 30 minutes.
4. In a large skillet, heat vegetable oil and fry the onions until they are golden. Add saffron, cardamom, cloves, cinnamon stick, ginger and rice. Stir continuously until the rice is coated with the spices.
5. In a medium-size pot, heat the chicken stock and salt. When the mixture is hot pour it over the rice and stir well. Add the chicken mixture and the potatoes; gently mix them into the rice. Bring to boil. Cover the saucepan tightly, turn heat to very low and steam for 20 minutes. Do not lift lid or stir while cooking. Spoon biryani onto a warm serving dish.

Adipoli Parathas

Ingredients

• For the dough:
• 2 cups whole wheat flour
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 2/3 cup water
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• For the filling:
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 1/2 teaspoon mustard seeds
• 1 green chile pepper, chopped
• 1 (1 1/2 inch) piece ginger, grated
• 2 onions, peeled and finely chopped
• 10 fresh curry leaves
• 1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
• sea salt to taste
• 6 ounces uncooked prawns, peeled and deveined
• 2 eggs, beaten

Directions

1. To make the dough, place the flour into a mixing bowl. Gradually stir in 1/4 cup vegetable oil and the water to make a soft, pliable dough. Turn the dough out onto a floured work surface and knead until smooth, about 4 minutes. Transfer the dough to an oiled bowl, cover, and set aside for 1 hour.
2. Heat 1/2 cup of vegetable oil in a frying pan over medium-low heat. Sprinkle in the mustard seeds; when the seeds start to pop, stir in the green chile, ginger, onions, and curry leaves. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions are soft, about 5 minutes. Add the turmeric and a pinch of salt and cook for 1 minute more. Mix in the prawns and cook, stirring occasionally, until they are bright pink on the outside and the meat is no longer transparent in the center, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from the heat and set aside.
3. Divide the dough into 8 equal portions. Place one piece in the palm of your hands and roll it into a smooth ball. Lightly dust with flour, then place it on work surface and roll out the dough into a paper-thin round about 8 1/2 inches (22 cm) in diameter. Repeat with the remaining dough.
4. Heat a cast iron skillet or heavy frying pan over medium heat. Brush the skillet with oil or use cooking spray.
5. Stir the beaten eggs into the prawn filling mixture. Place a circle of dough into the preheated skillet. Spread 3 tablespoons of filling over the dough. Cook until the bottom of the bread has browned, about 5 minutes. Lower the heat and carefully turn the paratha over with a spatula. Cook for an additional 5 minutes so the prawn mixture is well stuck to the paratha. Flip the paratha over again and transfer it to a cutting board.
6. Roll the paratha into a cylinder shape to enclose the filling. Repeat with the remaining dough and filling. Cut each stuffed paratha in half to serve.