ACHARI CHICKEN – Chicken Curry simmered in pickling spices
And the Celebration continues….
It is a special week.
A simple man with simple needs. He loves gadgets, teaches the boys ‘Raspberry Pi'(I thought that was such a funny name for a computer). He smiles when I get mad at him. I don’t remember him getting mad with either of us, the boys or me. He is so good at surprises.
A couple of years ago, he had a limo pick us up and we went on a surprise tour around San Francisco in a Helicopter, and I fell in love with the city and my Hubby all over again.
With a calm demeanor, a smile always, ability to make anyone feel better and an immense talent to make me feel good when I am low, all comes natural to him. A private person, so you can imagine his embarrassment when he reads this post..:).Happy Birthday Hon!!
When I ask him what he wants for his birthday dinner, it’s always his mom’s Chicken and Puri. It is by the way the easiest chicken to make and so tasty. Has 5 ingredients and I can make in a jiffy, but that’s for another post. For now, this is a curry we all love.
A dish which is simmered in spices and tastes like no other Indian curry. I use my home made garlic pickle, but you could use store bought ones, which are great too. It is cooked in spices that are used for Indian pickle. A very fragrant and spicy dish. If you love heat and want to eat something unique, this is for you.
Ingredients:
2 lbs whole chicken,cut into pieces bone in and skinless. Wash and pat dry.
2 large red onions finely chopped
3 tbsp fresh ginger-garlic paste
1/2 tsp turmeric
3 tomatoes pureed
1/2 cup chopped cilantro/coriander
2 tsp garlic pickle with oil(you could use store bought or make your own)
4 tbsp vegetable oil
Salt to taste
Water
Dry Spice Powder:
1 tsp fennel
1 tsp mustard seeds
1 tsp meethi/fenugreek seeds
1 tsp cumin/jeera seeds
4 cloves
3 cardamom
1 inch cinnamon stick.
10 dried red chillies
Method:
1. In a flat bottomed pan, dry roast the dry spices on a very low flame. Once you smell the spices and it’s browned a little, turn of the heat and let cool. Powder it and keep aside.
2. In a thick pan, add vegetable oil. Add the onions and fry on medium heat for 2 minutes. Then add the ginger-garlic paste and fry it until the onions are golden brown and add the chicken and brown it.
3. Add some salt to the chicken after browning, add turmeric and tomato paste. Let it bubble.
4. Add the ground spice mixture and 3 cups of water and cover and let cook on low heat.
Once the chicken is cooked add the pickle and chopped cilantro and let it simmer for another 5 minutes. The whole process takes around 30-40 minutes.
Serve with rice, roti or Naan.
ENJOY!!
Note:- You could use couple of tablespoons of mustard oil for this, tastes good.
You could leave the pickle out if you want.
Adjust the spice to your liking.
Double the spice mixture and you can keep it in a airtight jar and use whenever you want it. Goes so good with vegetarian dishes too.
The GARLIC pickle I made has 3 ingredients. Garlic+Tomato puree+Oil. Simmer everything with plain red chilly powder and salt for 1 hour and you have your home made pickle.
Hope you all are enjoying your week. Have great weekend. Do you have any plans, are you enjoying the weather? It is beautiful in SF. Any surprises by your partner you wanna share??
Copyright 2013 – Food Fashion Party
Belated birthday wishes to your hubby. This chicken looks spicy and very nice Asha.
LikeLike
What a lovely post! Sadly, the only achar chicken I've ever had was one where the spice mix came from a mix. Yours sounds (and looks) much better!
LikeLike
That was such a nice surprise he did for you, happy birthday to him! I am really digging this recipe. Why? because it does not require a lot of ingredients and I have a lot of these at home. I will make this during winter break, so don't be scared when you see a million e-mails from me asking for help. 🙂
LikeLike
That's very thoughtful of your husband, I know what you mean about how you can fall in love all over again by those gestures.. makes a world of difference.
LikeLike
Absolutely tempting and irresistible. Craving for it now 🙂
LikeLike
I still remember tasting Achari chicken for the first time when I just started working in bangalore and went out for my first date with my now hus …Lol. It was superb and I bet your recipe is gonna help me recreate the memories…And wishing your adorable hus a very happy b'day from the Pillai family… 🙂 (ppst: I still keep my own surname, but he prefers we call us Pillai family after his surname)
LikeLike
Did you say curry? Please, sign me in…I am crazy for it!!!
LikeLike
Tried this dish so many times in restaurants; but making it home can be equally tasty and gorgeous…your post proved that 🙂
Gost dish to die for, mourn for :)Picture perfect curry to drool over 🙂
Happy Birthday to Jamai babu.
LikeLike
This dish is packed with flavors and I love how easy it is to prepare. My only request? I will need an extra bowl of rice please. 🙂 How lovely you have someone who can cheer you up so naturally. You guys are meant for each other, for sure!
LikeLike
Nice post, I bookmark your blog because I found very good information on your blog, Thanks for sharing more informatiom
http://goo.gl/tGqfRs
LikeLike
@ Tara- my lovely friend, try it out soooon,…call me, I am next door. xx
LikeLike
@ Manju- Thanks a ton for sharing the sweet memory. I can imagine how your hubby falling in love with those big beautiful eyes of yours.
LikeLike
@Nusrat- thank you, thank you..Jamai raaja ne thanks bola.
LikeLike
@ Amy- thanks love.
LikeLike
@ Amy- thanks love.
LikeLike
I just love achari chicken, your clicks made it looks so tempting 🙂
LikeLike
I'm very late but happy birthday to your sweet husband! Homemade Achari Chicken must be so delicious. Your family is so lucky!
LikeLike
@Muna- thanks for stopping by.
@Nami- thanks for your wishes darlin.
LikeLike
i always love indian chicken dish, kickin spice jazz up the boring flavour of the chicken…..
http://www.fazlani.com/
LikeLike
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
LikeLike
Delicious, delicious! In love with this curry!
LikeLike
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
LikeLike