Creating a blog was out of the question for a long time for me, as measuring everything in the kitchen was like biting into an eggshell. I enjoy cooking and don’t want to waste even a slightest bit of enjoyment in that small world of mine. But little did I know that everything will change, when my husband came home with the Oscar nominated film ‘Julie and Julia’( a real life story) where Julie Powell (part played by Amy Adams) challenged herself to make all the 524 recipes from Julia Child's cook book ‘Mastering the Art of French Cooking’ and blogging all her experiences (The Julie/Julia Project). It was an inspiring movie. A few days later when we were discussing this casually with a friend of ours over tea…everything changed dramatically…..” How about you making at least half of it in one year? Not French but your own. 262 recipes that will inspire others and present it as a blog?” For a minute my mind traveled faster than light… With an experience as a helper in my mother in laws kitchen for 6 years followed by a three year everyday struggle to satisfy the palate of my foodie husband, if I cannot do it then why should I cook? But on the other side with an experience in English literature extending no more than expanding outline stories in English grammar class when I was 18 and two small kids that come in handy at times, will a commitment for the next one year work? Anyway my ‘cook's ego’ didn’t allow me to say no...

So my friends …here I am opening my recipe book, trying to perfect and present 262 recipes in the coming 365 days….A Challenge that will of course tastes good. Come.. Have a walk with me along my journey.. Cheering and inspiring….Forgiving and tolerating…Testing and tasting….for ‘A Tasty Challenge’

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Thursday, February 24, 2011

Pepper Chicken

Recipe No: 203
I got this idea from one of our Aunts and thought it is definitely a good spin on this dish which usually comes  with a lot of spices. I changed it a bit, but tried to keep very close to the original idea that I was told. This doesn’t have any of the usual spices and will go well with Fried Rice (anything of that sort) and Flat breads.
Ingredients                                             Serves 4
  • Chicken………………………600 grams (Cut into very small pieces; I used bone in)
To marinate the Chicken
  • Pepper Powder…………...1/2 Teaspoon
  • Salt……………………….…..3/4 Teaspoon
  • Ginger Garlic Paste….....3/4 Teaspoon
  • Vinegar………………….....1 Teaspoon
To Saute
  • Oil………………………..….......3 Tablespoons
  • Crushed whole spices.........2 Cardamom, 5 Cloves, 1 small piece Cinnamon and Star Anise
  • Ginger chopped fine…........2 Tablespoons
  • Garlic chopped fine………....2 Tablespoons
  • Onion chopped fine………...3/4 cup
  • All Purpose Flour/ Maida…1 ½ Tablespoons
  • Coriander Leaves…………….2 Tablespoons (chopped)
  • Crushed Black Pepper….....1 Teaspoon (Freshly made)
  • Salt to taste
Method of Preparation
  1. Marinate the Chicken with the ingredients present in ‘to marinate’ section and keep aside for 20 minutes.
  2. Heat 3 Tablespoon of Oil in a pan on high heat and fry the Chicken pieces till slightly brown on all sides.
  3. Remove the Chicken form the pan and add the crushed spices to the remaining Oil; fry till fragrant.
  4. Lower the heat to medium and add Ginger and Garlic; saute till the raw smell is gone.
  5. Add chopped Onion and saute till it is wilted thoroughly.
  6. Sprinkle the Flour and fry for a minute or two till the raw smell is gone. Add a bit more of Oil at this stage if it is too dry.
  7. Add the Chicken pieces and a cup of Water; mix well; cover the pan and let it cook till done. Add more Salt if needed.
  8. Once the Chicken is cooked and the gravy is reduced to a consistency you want, add Coriander Leaves and crushed Black Pepper; mix well; switch off the heat and serve hot.
Notes:
  • Crushed Black Pepper  used towards the end should not be finely crushed, it should be course.
  • Make this on the dry side if you want, but I love to have some gravy as I usually serve this with Chappathi.
  • Add a teaspoon of Soy Sauce at the end to get a different taste.
 






Make it, enjoy the deliciousness and 
serve it to your family with love…

4 comments:

Indian Khana said...

Looks yum and very different ...nice one

Vimitha Durai said...

Looks slurppy and hot...

Priya Suresh said...

Slurp, fingerlicking pepper chicken truly tempting!

Sushma Mallya said...

Looks so yummy...I would love to try this tempting pepper fry :)

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