Shahi Chicken Kurma

Shahi means royal and Kurma refers to a dish prepared using either yogurt, cream, nuts or coconut milk. And this recipe is termed royal cause it makes use of most of the above ingredients... and it is truly worth all the effort. Its a typical north Indian dish and not something that can be made quickly... I make it when I want a change from the usual spicy curries that form the norm at my home.

First step, grind cashew nuts with ginger & garlic paste, cumin seeds and coriander powder.

Fry chopped onions along with cloves, cardamom and cinnamon till the onion turns translucent.

That's translucent enough... (I like that word, translucent)

Now add the ground cashew nut paste, chillie powder and the washed chicken pieces.

Mix it up well and fry for a few minutes...

Now add whisked yogurt, bout half a cup and mix it up well. Then add appropriate quantity of water, salt and pressure cook till the meat is tender (bout three whistles time).

Now add a little coconut milk, bout one third a cup and boil the curry...

Add raisins towards the end and boil till the curry thickens a bit... till you get the desired consistency. Garnish with coriander leaves and serve...

There you go, this delightfully rich and luxuriant curry is ready to be devoured... goes well with chappathi and roti. This dish has got a certain distinctive flair... the sweetness and creaminess caused by the raisins and the yogurt is in a way gratifying. So have fun cooking, eating and living.