Chicken Masala Gravy by Zarnak Sidhwa

Ingredients:

• Chicken 1 kg
• Large onions 2
• Cinnamon 1
• Black cardamoms 2
• Cloves 4-5
• Fennel seeds 1 tbsp
• Black pepper 2 tsp
• Green cardamoms 4-5
• Tomatoes 2
• Garlic paste 1 tbsp
  
• Ginger paste 1 tsp
• Red chili powder 2 tsp
• Tomato chopped 1
• Ghee 1 tbsp
• Ginger julienne 1
  

Method:

1. Heat 2 tbsp NO, add spice, after 30 seconds, add onion.
2. Cook onions till golden brown.
3. Remove onions and whole spice with slotted spoon, cool and grind to paste.
4. Set aside for later user.
5. Lightly roast and grind to powder fennel seeds, black pepper and green cardamoms.
6. Reheat  same MO, add some more if needed, when hot, add chicken and salt for couple of minutes till it seals and turns light brown.
7. Now add powders (step 2) and cook another minute or so.
8. At this stage, introduced one puree along with chili powder, ginger, garlic and some turmeric.
9. Cook covered on low till oil separates.
10. Now add onion paste, mix well, add 1/2 cup hot water and simmer another few minutes till chicken is almost done.
11. Heat ghee in frying pan, when hot, add tomato and ginger julienne (stage 4), cook 2-3 minutes till soft, mix well into chicken along with 2 tbsp water and cook covered for couple of minutes.
12. Adjust seasoning.