Chicken Stew - straight from Kerala

Cooking, according to me should be a simple affair. I am not a fan of food that needs hours of labor. Of course I go the extra mile on special days and that could be once a year. But mostly I prefer cooking that is hassle free, before and after meal. Today's chicken stew is just that a simple chicken dish that will melt in your mouth with every bite. Very delicate flavors with a blend of whole spices, garlic, ginger and onion.

The recipe I share with you today was something my elder sister - Anita, cooked on special occasions. Well if you count me visiting her special. She cooked the same recipe with mutton as I personally prefer mutton and so does everyone in my family. However, my husband is not fond of mutton and hence whenever I make this stew it is always made with chicken. Let me assure you if you prefer mutton, then please try this recipe with mutton, it will be just as delicious if not more. This is a family winner!

                                                                              

Ingredients:

1. Chicken /Mutton - 1 kg
2. Potatoes - 3 medium sized
3. Oil - 3 tbsp
4. Onion - 2 large
5. Garlic - 2 tbsp
6. Ginger - 1 inch piece
7. Green chilly - 3 nos.
8. Curry leaves - two sprigs
9. Coconut milk - 200 ml
10. Vinegar - 2 tbsp
11. Salt and Water - as required

Spice Mix:

1. Peppercorns - 1/2 tbsp
2. Cardamom - 5 nos
3. Cloves -6 nos
4. Cinnamon - 2 inch stick
5. Turmeric

Method:

1. Wash and cut the meat into curry pieces. Keep aside.
2. Peel and cut the potatoes into wedges. Soak in water till they are ready to be used.
3. Chop onions, slice garlic and grate/slice ginger. Chop the green chillies.
4. In a pan heat oil, add the spice mix except turmeric. After about a minute add the onions, garlic and ginger. Fry till the onions are soft and light brown. Add the chillies.
5. Add the chicken and let the meat fry till it is browned. 
6. Add the potatoes, vinegar, salt and turmeric. Mix well Add half a cup or 100 ml of hot water. 
7. Cook on slow flame with a lid for about 15 minutes or till the meat is done.
8. Lastly add the coconut milk, once the gravy starts boiling check for salt and consistency. Adjust if required and turn off the flame.

Chicken stew goes well with appams, and dosas. For those of us who don't have appams or dosas, well we'll make do with pulao.