Chicken Vindaloo

Okay okay now, Thursday’s were never my laundry day gosh why did I make it one now!!! Yeah it was all about the Memorial Day weekend and the hangama out here changed my Thursday harmony into an ordeal!!! Yeah carrying that big - oh not so big though neatly, oh I hear you ask me why neatly for a laundry bag and the answer is that me he he he, sorted bags down 3 straight floors, hey I missed the half fleet of stairs to the basement mmmh huh(clearing my throat) with the laundry detergent yuhooo I realized I missed my keys in there, locking me out… So anyways half way down why bring the world down for that (wicked to myself), I chose the nicest or may be the cleanest washers and dumped the load in with the detergent. So how do I get in now??? Simple as long as the Apartment Managers is reachable why worry, very energetically I reached his apartment door!!!

Knock knock!!! Knock Knock!!! No one answered, he is an old man he usually takes his time to check on the door I waited, almost a minute then my worry meter started peeking up ha ha know why my Chicken Vindaloo was on the stove, I see you guys laugh at me!!! Knock Knock ok what now I walked to the main door of the apartment kept the door open, not locking me into the parking lot, rang his bell no one yet!!! The next thing that came to my mind was the fire alarm that will go on when my vindaloo will be charred and smoking out of the pan, oh okay now turning my worry meter down, I said to myself its gonna be fun… But what about the trouble that I will be causing oh Ramya how could you be so irresponsible??? Thinking what to do I stood there waiting to take refuge at anyone whom I would encounter that day!!! I knew my a coupla apartment was empty and the cleaning guys were working there okay I am gonna give a try buzzing other apartments, I could hardly take charge of laughter when I write this but the heights of desperateness was high when I concluded that!!!

Luckily before I made a fool out of myself I heard a car come and park looking at that my joy found no bounds oh that was my apartment manager, I told him that I locked myself out while I had my Chicken Vindaloo waiting to be treat good, on the stove he smiled and said “I thought you were the most responsible gal, who has not yourself out of your apartment”. I replied “don’t judge me by this incident”… Finally I was in and the aroma was amazing when I walked in the door!!! This Chicken Vindaloo recipe is from Madhur Jaffrey, I did make a lot of changes to the recipe but the base is from MJ’s book “from Curries to Kebabs recipes from the Indian Spice trial”. MJ has it as duck Vindaloo but I comfortably substituted Chicken. MJ says, Vinho means Wine Vinegar and alhos means Garlic and probably originated from the Portuguese – Indian colony – our famous Goa!!! For more info you gotta get hold of her book!!!



Ingredients:

Onion – 1 large cut into half rings
Ginger – 2 inches, grated
Garlic – 6-7 large plum pods, crushed
Mustard Seeds – ½ tsp
Fenugreek Seeds – ¼ tsp
Chicken – close to 2 lbs
Tomato – 2 medium chopped
Cooking Oil – 3 tbsps
Curry Leaves – a few
Salt to taste
Sugar – a pinch
Vinegar – 2-3 tbsps
Bay Leaves – 2 nos.
Water – ½ cup optional

Powder:

Turmeric Powder – ½ tsp
Paprika – 2 tbsps
Red Chilies – 3 nos.
Coriander Seeds – 1 ½ tbsp
Cumin Seeds 1 ½ tbsp
Pepper Corns – 10 nos.
Nutmeg – a dash
Garam Masala – 1 tbsp (Cinnamon, Cloves, Cardamom Seeds)

Method:

Dry Roast Red Chilies, Coriander Seeds, Cumin Seeds, Pepper corns, Cinnamon, Cardamom Seeds, and Cloves, blend them to a smooth powder then add the Turmeric Powder, Paprika and freshly grated Nutmeg. Set aside.

In a large skillet heat Cooking Oil and add the Bay Leaves when the Oil is hot. Add the washed Chicken to it and let it cook until a coat of brown is formed or color is changed. Remove and set the Chicken aside do the same with the remaining Chicken. Do not add any extra Oil.

Now when all the Chicken is done remove the Bay Leaves from the Oil, add the Mustard Seeds and Fenugreek Seeds when they splutter add the Onions and Curry Leaves, fry until translucent. Throw in the grated Ginger and pressed Garlic when the aroma leaves add the powder and stir well and cook for a few minutes.

It’s time for the Tomatoes now, cover and cook until Tomatoes turn tender. Next in order is the Chicken, drop them and mix well and cover and cook. You can add Water if you want more gravy but the Chicken itself will give away a ton of water, not a ton literally though. Adjust Salt and throw in the Sugar finally add the Vinegar to it and cook for a few minutes. Tada Chicken Vindaloo is ready!!!

Servewith: Rice or Roti



We all know about Jo of Sugar & Everything Nice, she had a giveaway a month ago for her first blog anniversary; the event was simple write a comment and her husband would choose from those who commented!!! She sent in these cute Wine Bottle Holders I found them lying on my door step on Tuesday (16th June 2009)had to wait a couple of day before I could click these nice pictures of them… For those who do not know her, she is an amazing cook and a baker, do visit her!!!

Am sending Chicken Vindaloo to

Viki's -- The Potluck - Chicken