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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Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Chicken Chili

Recipe No: 287
This is my version (also Chicken) of the American dish ‘Chili’ which is usually made with Beef. This recipe is a combination of Chicken and Red Kidney Beans (Rajma) with an outstanding Cumin flavor. Well, if you are not a Beef person, you can try this… Here is Chicken Chili that suits an Indian palate...
Ingredients                                      Serves 4-5
  • Oil………………..................……2 Tablespoons
  • Ground Chicken….................1 lb
  • Onion chopped fine……........2/3 cup
  • Garlic chopped fine….....……4 big ones
  • Green Chilly chopped fine….1
  • Bell peppers chopped fine….1/2 cup (Capsicum; I used red and green ones)
  • Rajma……………………………...1/2 Cup (Red Kidney Beans; washed and soaked overnight in 2 cups water)
  • Tomato chopped…………....…1 medium
  • Tomato Sauce……………….....1/2 Cup
  • Red Chilly Powder…………....1 Teaspoon (Use more if you want)
  • Cumin Powder………………....1/2 Teaspoon
  • Oregano……………………….....1/2 Teaspoon (If you don’t have this please skip; but I see them in Kerala cooking shows now a days.)
  • Corn Starch…………………......1 Teaspoon
  • Salt as needed
Method of Preparation
  1. Heat Oil in the pan of a pressure cooker (If you want to wash more dishes, please feel free to use another pan!!!) on high heat and fry the minced Chicken with Salt, stirring and separating the Chicken.
  2. Once the Chicken changes its color, add Onion, Garlic, Green Chilly, Bell Peppers/ Capsicum and the soaked Rajma (reserve the soaking liquid) and sauté for 2-3 minutes.
  3. Add Tomato, Tomato Sauce, Red Chilly Powder, Cumin Powder and Oregano; add 2 ½ Cups of Water (Use the Rajma soaking Water now); mix well; close the pan and cook till 2 whistles.
  4. Once the pressure subsides, open the cooker; switch on the heat again (put the flame on medium ) and adjust the seasonings and the level of the liquid. (You need some gravy, but not too much. With the amount mentioned in the recipe, I didn’t add more; but it depends on the Pressure Cooker too.)
  5. Mix the Corn Flour in ¼ cup Water and add to the Chili once it is boiled. Mix well and let it boil and thicken for a minute.
  6. Off the heat and serve hot with desired toppings. (I used chopped Onion, Grated Cheese and sliced Green Onions.
Notes:
  • Tomato sauces generally come in cans and are different from Ketchup.  It is not sweet and in case you don’t have it, please blend 2 Tomatoes without the seeds (Seeds increases its sourness) and use.  But the canned Tomato Sauce gives a nice color and texture.
  • Cooking Rajma/ Kidney Beans and Chicken together in the Pressure Cooker works only if the Rajma is soaked properly. So it is advised to do that. Otherwise you have to cook the Beans separate (or use canned Beans) and add it to the Chili once the Chicken is cooked and let them cook together for about 10 minutes.
  • If you are cooking the Kidney Beans/ Rajma separate, please cook it only till soft. Over cooked Beans (It will be a bit slimy) are not good in this preparation.
  • You can use any kind of Beans for this preparation but adjust the cooking time accordingly.
  • Chili can be eaten by itself, serve over Chips or even Rice, over Burgers or hot dogs…. Let your imagination work...
 




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

7 comments:

Rajeswari said...

Someting new for me will try. ee chicken enganayaa grind cheyya? Paraiyo

Asha said...

This time I bought minced Chicken. But I used to grind Chicken in a food processor (a small two cup one).

Faseela said...

that is something new n yummy....lovd the combo

sojo said...

something new to me... looks good as alwaiiiiis

Anzz said...

Very innovative recipe. You made a new version of chili and it looks great..!

Surabhi said...

Award Waiting @
http://bestofmykitchen.blogspot.in/2012/02/award-tym-happy-to-be-versatile.html

Teena said...

What an amazing recipe!! Absolutely loved it!!!

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