Chicken curry/kulambu/gravy

This chicken curry is one of my favourite one. During my childhood, I was a big hater to idly. I can't eat more than one. But when my mom make idlies with this curry, I will have 5-6 idlies minimum. She will make such a delicious gravy. This chicken curry/kulambu is really yummy with rice,chapathi,dosa,idly etc. This curry is very easy to make for quick preparations, beginners and bachelors.


Yields: 2-3 servings

Ingredients: 

1. Chicken- 500 g
2. Shallots skin removed/Onion- 1.5 cups/ 2 medium chopped
3. Tomato- 1 small (optional)
4. Curry leaves- few
5. Garlic- 3 small pods
6. Red chillies- 3-4
7. Coriander powder- 1.5 tsp
8. Jeera/cumin powder- 1/2 tsp
9. Pepper powder- 3/4 tsp
10. Fennel powder- 1/4 tsp
11. Turmeric powder- 1/4 tsp
12. Salt- to taste
13. Oil- 1 tbsp

** You can also dry roast and grind instead for the above masala powders.

To dry roast and grind:
1. Coriander seeds- 2 tbsp
2. Cumin seeds- 1 tbsp
3. Whole black pepper- 1/2 tbsp
4. Fennel seeds- 1/2 tsp
5. Curry leaves- 3-4
6. Turmeric powder- 1/2 tsp

Add the above masala according to your spicy, remaining can be stored in an air tight container.

To temper:
1. Oil- 2 tsp
2. Mustard seeds- 1/4 tsp
3. Shallots/Onion- 4-5 chopped/ 1/4 cup finely chopped
4. Curry leaves- few
5. Coriander leaves- to garnish

Method:

1. Take a deep pan. Heat oil and add onion, red chillies, garlic and curry leaves.
2. Saute well until onion is translucent.

3. Add chopped tomato and saute well until it is mushy and tender. If you are not adding tomato, skip this step and continue.
4. Switch off the stove and let it cool. Grind into a fine paste.
5. Again place the pan. Transfer the grinded mixture to it. Add the washed chicken pieces and mix well.

6. Add all the dry powders or the freshly grounded masala with required salt and mix well. Add 3/4 cup of hot water and let it boil until the chicken is cooked well. You can add water to your consistency.
7. Finally in an another small pan, heat oil and add ingredients under the table 'to temper' then pour them on the gravy and garnish with coriander leaves.

** Bachelors can skip the step 'to temper' and 'to roast and grind' to make it easy.

Serve this yummy delicious chicken gravy/curry/kulambu with rice, chapathi, porotta, idly, dosa, idiyappam, appam etc.