Simple Spicy Chicken Fry

The what
Chicken -  2lbs ( cut in small pieces)
Red chilli powder  - 2 tbsp
Salt -  to taste
Oil - 3 tbsp
Perunjeeragam - 2 tsp ( slightly crushed)
Curry leaves - a few

The how
For this recipe ,I have used boneless chicken, with bones will actually taste better.And I had made this extremly spicy, so please choose red chilli powder as per your tolerence.Heat oil in a pan on medium high heat, quickly splutter perumjeeragam and curry leaves.Before it turns all black on you , add the chicken pieces and saute for a min or two.Now add red chilli powder and salt .Keep sauting on medium high flame for about 5-6 minutes.Once you see that all pieces are getting bit darker in the outside, reduce the flame to medium low.Keep sauting untill chicken is well cooked and looks similar to what's in the picture.Serve it as appetizer, or a side dish, your wish.
This dish requires more than expected oil , so be little generous with it. But hey , you can be happy that you are not deep frying ! ;)

Channa Paneer Masala

Again a recipe from a cooking show. I was interested to try this one out mainly because of the combo, Channa & Paneer. I had never tried putting these two together. It came out really good.

What you will need 

Channa - 1 can 16 oz (drained & rinsed)
Paneer -  6 oz (about 10 1" pieces)
Onion - 1 large ( finely chopped)
Tomato - 2 medium ( finely chopped)
Green Chillies - 2 ( finely chopped)
Ginger Garlic paste - 1 tbsp
Oil - 2 tbsp
Jeera - 1 tsp
Turmeric powder - 1/2 tsp
Coriander powder - 1 tsp
Red chilli powder - 2 tsp
Kasuri methi - 2 tsp
Salt - as needed
Water - 1/2 cup or more

How you will make it

Heat 1 tbsp of oil in a pan and fry paneer pieces until the outer skin slightly changes color.Take them out and keep aside.Now in the same pan add another tbsp of oil and fry jeera. Now add finely chopped onion,green chillies and once the onions are half way cooked add  GG pase. And fry until onions are golden brown in color and raw smell from GG is gone.This might take more than 5-7 minutes on medium high flame.Now add chopped tomatoes and saute until tomatoes are soft and almost cooked.Now add all the masala powders, turmeric,red chilli and dania powders.Saute well untill everything comes together and  raw smell is gone.If needed add little of water while sauteing to avoid buring .Once the masala is almost cooked enough, add the rinsed channa and salt.At this point add 1/4 cup water and let the channa gravy boil well for about 4-5 minutes.Now reduce the heat to medium low and add fried paneer pieces.Let the gravy boil for another 2-3 minutes and switch off the heat.Now sprinkle crushed kasurimethi and serve hot with roti/rice.

Kerala Style Egg Curry w/ Coconut milk

Kerala style egg curry made with coconut milk , one of the staple @ my kitchen when I crave for something simple  and comfort.I tend to make these little spicer and it compliments the sweetness of the coconut milk.This is an adapted version Mrs.K.M.Mathew's recipe.

What you will need

Hard boiled eggs- 6 nos
 

Onion -3 medium sized (sliced)
 

Ginger -  2 tsp (chopped fine)
 

Garlic - 2 tsp (chopped fine)

Green Chillies  - 2 (slit lengthwise)

Curry leaves- a few
 

Coconut milk- I used 1/4 cup of a canned coconut milk

( I had diluted 1/4 cup of coconut milk with 1cup water)

Water-1/4 cup 

Oil -2 tbsp

Mustard seeds- 1/4 tsp

Salt - to taste

For masala

Red chili powder-  2 tsp( or according to taste)
Coriander powder-1 tsp
Turmeric powder- 1/4 tsp

How you will make 

Mix all the ingredients for masala with just enough water to make a smooth paste.Keep aside.Make small slits in the hard boiled eggs and sprinkle pinches of red chilli powder,turmeric powder and salt.Using your hands apply these powders evenly on the eggs.In a pan, heat oil on medium low heat.Keeping the heat low, fry the eggs until the ouer skin changes the color just enough.Take the eggs out and keep it aside.We will put these fried eggs at the end.

Now in the same pan (put the heat on medium high now), splutter mustard seeds.Add curry leaves, green chillies and the sliced onions.Saute them until onions are soft enough.Now add the chopped ginger and garlic.Saute this well until onions are almost carmalized.Takes about 15 minutes or so.Now add the masala paste and saute until raw smell is gone.Once nice aroma comes add 1/4 cup(or more) of water and salt and let this mix boil for another 5 minutes.Add the diluted coconut milk at this point and let the gravy boil well.Once the gravy gets appropriate consistency, add the fried eggs and let it boil for 4-5 minutes on medium low heat.Serve hot with Rice/Roti.

Note : I like to make this curry a little early than expected dinner time, to allow the gravy seep into the egg through the slits made.YUM.

Kadalai Maavu Masala

This quick and simple recipe  is from a TV show.I was skeptical at first trying this one , but the chef repeatedly claimed this will taste just like our Potato Masala (the one we make for Poori/Chappathi).Amazingly he was right.We liked this healthier version with out potato .
P.S : Sorry for the Not -so- good picture .I blame my camera being out of charge and had to use iPhone.

What you will need
Onion  - 1 medium sized (chopped)
Tomatoes - 2 (chopped)
Green chillies - 1-2 (slit lengthwise)
Chilli powder - 1tsp
Turmeric powder - 1/4 tsp
Curry leaves -  as needed
Asafoetida - a pinch
Oil - 1 tbsp
Mustard Seeds - 1/4 tsp
Channa Dal - 1/2 tsp
Urad Dal - 1/4 tsp
Salt -  to taste
Kadalai maavu / Gram flour  - 2 tsp
Water  - as needed
Note : Adjust green chilli and chilli powder according to your spice level.

How you will make
In a medium low heat ,heat oil in the pan and splutter mustard seeds and add ural dal, channa dal,fry until dal is golden.Now add curry leaves , green chillies and Onion.Fry until onions are almost soft and now add chopped tomatoes.Saute for a minute and  add red chilli powder, turmeric powder and asafoetida.In medium heat , add little water and let this cook until tomatoes are very soft. In the mean time make the gram flour mix by adding 1/4 cup water to 2 tsp gram flour.Mix it well so there is no lumps.Now once tomoatoes are cooked , add this gram flour mix, salt and let this boil in medium heat until everything comes together in to a thick gravy.Serve hot with Roti.
Note : Be sure to maintain Medium heat through out cooking.