Spicy Andhra Mutton Curry

Some months ago, when I made Mangalorean chicken curry for a charity event at work, I received many requests for repeats. One colleague, however, dropped a special request for spicy mutton curry. I promised her that I'd definitely make some for her one day.

Days turned to weeks, weeks to months and before I knew it, I was already in my final week at my current job. Now that the promise I made the other day was haunting me, I got down to making a simple but yummy Spicy Andhra Mutton Curry. 

Here's how the recipe goes:

• Mutton 500 grams

• Salt to taste 

• Turmeric powder - 1/4 tsp 

• Poppy seeds - 1 tsp

• Fennel seeds - 1/2 tsp 

• Black peppercorns - 8

• Cumin seeds - 1 tsp 

• Cinnamon - 1 inch stick 

• Cloves - 4

• Green cardamoms - 2 

• Oil - 4 tbsp

• Curry leaves 10 

• Onions chopped - 3 medium 

• Ginger-garlic paste - 1 tsp 

• Red chilli powder - 1/2 tsp 

• Black pepper powder - 2 tsp 

• Tomato chopped - 1 large 

• Fresh coriander leaves chopped (optional) - 2 tbsp

Method

Step 1

Pressure cook mutton pieces with two cups of water, salt and turmeric powder for six whistles. Open the lid when the pressure reduces, drain and reserve the cooking liquor. Dry roast poppy seeds, fennel seeds, black peppercorns, coriander seeds, cumin seeds, cinnamon, cloves and green cardamoms. Cool and grind to a fine powder. Heat oil in kadai (wok). Add curry leaves and onions. Sauté till the onions are brown. Add ginger-garlic paste, red chilli powder and half the black pepper powder and sauté for a minute.

Step 2

Add tomato and mutton pieces, cook on high heat till the tomato is soft. Add salt and the spice powder and simmer for five minutes. Add the reserved cooking liquor and one cup of water and bring to a boil. Simmer till all the mutton pieces get well coated with thick gravy.

Step 3

Add the remaining black pepper powder and stir well. Garnish with coriander leaves and serve hot.

Chindian Chilli chicken

INGREDIENTS

• 250 grams of boneless chicken pieces, cubed

For batter:

• ½ cup of plain flour (maida)
• ¼ cup of cornflour or cornstarch
• 1 tsp of ginger garlic paste
• ¼ tsp of chilli powder
• 1 tsp of soya sauce
• ½ tsp of black pepper powder

For stir-frying:

• 1 tbsp of oil
• 1 cup of cubed onions
• ½ cup of cubed capsicum (bell pepper)
• 2-3 green chillies, slit
• 1 tsp of crushed garlic
• 1 tsp of grated ginger
• 1 tsp of tomato ketchup
• 1 tsp of vinegar or lime juice
• 2 tbsp of minced spring onions or coriander leaves for garnish (optional)

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Clean and cut the chicken pieces into bite-sized cubes
2. Prepare the rest of the ingredients and keep it ready
3. Mix all the ingredients for the batter and add enough water to make a thick batter (pancake consistency)
4. Add the chicken pieces to this
5. Heat oil for deep frying
6. When the oil is smoking hot, add the chicken pieces thoroughly coated in the batter
7. Fry on medium heat until golden brown
8. Drain and set aside
9. Proceed with the next batch until all the chicken is fried
10. Drain and set aside
11. Heat oil and add the onions, ginger, garlic, and green chillies
12. Saute until the onions turn transparent and soft
13. Then add the soya sauce, vinegar or lemon juice, and tomato ketchup
14. Saute for 2 more minutes
15. Then add the fried chicken pieces and capsicum
16. Sprinkle some water and cover the pan
17. Cook on very low heat for 4-5 mins or until the ingredients come together nicely
18. Uncover, give everything a good mix, check for salt and add more if needed, and remove from heat
19. Garnish with spring onions or coriander leaves
20. Serve hot as an appetizer or side dish with fried rice or noodles

Note: I find the salt from the sauces sufficient but if needed, salt can be added as mentioned in the recipe.

Grilled Kasundi mustard chicken

Ingredients:

Chicken - 500 gms

Indian mustard sauce - 0.5 cups

Dry red chilli - 2 (crushed)

Red chilli powder - 0.5 teaspoon

Garlic - 4 large cloves (crushed)

Honey - 1 tablespoon 

Salt to taste 

Method 

Mix all ingredients and marinate at room temperature for 30 minutes.

Grill and serve hot with a drizzle of lemon juice (optional).

Quick grilled chilly lemon chicken

I'm a busy girl and I have no time for cooking. And I like to eat healthy. 

My Chilly lemon grilled chicken is my quick go-to recipe for busy or lazy days.

It takes 10 mins to prep and 1 hour to marinate...gives me time to do other things while it's getting ready to be grilled.

Here is how it goes:

...after 1 hour...

Give 10 mins each side on low flame (if using a grill pan like me) and your chicken is ready!