Saturday, November 26, 2011

Hara (Green) Masala Chicken

If I cant find something I like at a restaurant or cafe, the only thing to be done then is to make it myself.

Like Cinnamon Rolls.

Or Hara Masala Chicken.

I haven't been able to find good Hara Masala Chicken where I live so I've been making it at home for a few years now using the following recipe. I feel the masala has a lot more flavour than anything you'll get at a restaurant.




Ingredients
Oil, as required
2 medium-large onions (about 2 1/2 to 3 cups), halved and thinly sliced
1 cup plain yogurt
1 cup chopped coriander
1 cup mint leaves
10-12 green chillies
500g boneless chicken, cut in small cubes
2 teaspoons ground ginger
2 teaspoons crushed garlic
2 teaspoons garam masala powder
Salt and pepper, to taste

*2 to 3 tablespoons cream and 1 teaspoon butter

  1. Fry the onions until they are light golden brown. Do not let them get too dark or it will affect the colour of the masala.
  2. Remove the onions from the pan and place in a food processor or blender with the coriander, mint and green chillies. (You may add more or less green chillies, depending on how spicy you like your food.) Add some water if needed; not too much, just enough to get the mixture moving.
  3. In the same pan that you fried the onions in, fry the chicken with the garlic and ginger, for 1 to 2 minutes. Then add the green mixture and the yogurt.
  4. Cook for 15 to 20 minutes on medium heat, stirring frequently, until the masala has thickened and the oil separates.
  5. Stir in the garam masala and add salt and pepper to taste. *You can stir in 2 or 3 tablespoons of cream and a knob of butter if you like, for an extra rich dish, but it tastes great as it is too.
  6. Remove from heat and serve.