Kaju Chicken

  














Kaju Chicken is one of my favourite dish and whenever we went out to eat in an Indian restaurant,I invariably looked for the Kaju Chicken in the Menu.Unfortunately here in UK I haven't come across any good Kaju chicken.Chicken coated in rich creamy Kaju(Cashewnut)is indeed a rich treat with Chappathi/Naan.(Weightwatchers...Sorry, this can add a pound to your vital statistics!).Here goes the recipe:

Ingredients:

Chicken-300g
Cashewnuts-100g(Soaked in 1/4 cup milk)
Egg-1(optional)
Ginger+Garlic-50g
Green chillies-10(You may adjust according to your taste)
Red chilli powder-1/2 tsp
Paprika-1 tsp(optional)
Turmeric powder-1/2 tsp
Onion-2 (medium, sliced)
Tomato-150g(chopped)
Yoghurt-1 cup
salt -as required
oil-as required
Curry leaves-1 sprig
Bay Leaves-2
Parsley-1 bunch
Mint-10leaves
Water-1 cup


Cinnamon powder-1 pinch
Cardamom powder-1 pinch
Nutmeg powder-1 pinch
Fennel seed powder-1/2tsp
Cloves powder- 1 pinch
Pepper powder-1tsp
Turmeric powder=1/4 tsp

Method

Grind the cashewnuts soaked in milk.Grind together ginger,garlic,green chillies, red chilli powder,turmeric powder,paprika,parsley,mint,yoghurt and egg into a coarse paste. Marinate the chicken pieces with the paste and salt and leave it for 15 minutes.

Heat oil in a Pressure cooker Pan.Once the oil starts smoking add bay leaf and curry leaves.Saute for a second. Now add the sliced onions and fry till golden brown,add tomatoes,pepper powder.Add the marinated chicken(along with the masala) and saute it for a couple of minutes.Add 1 cup water,close the lid and pressure cook it for 12 minutes on medium flame.Once the chicken is cooked and the masala has coated the pieces,add all the remaining masala powders.Mix well,and cook for a couple of minutes.Now serve it hot,garnished with fresh parsley along with Chappathi/Paratha/Steamed Rice.(I am happy to add here that it has been certified as superlative by all those who tasted it!)You can prepare 'Badami Chicken' similarly substituting cashew with almonds(badam)