Balti Chicken

My sister has this recipe book called Balti Cooking. The recipes in that book are quite easy and this is one of the recipes in it. Most of the recipes had easily available ingredients, no fancy techniques and usually one-pot recipes. I made this once for a friend of mine and she got all excited and asked for the recipe. What I discovered was the taste differs according to the type of garam masala you use. Different brands have different taste, depending on the type of spice used.
For 3 servings
500g chicken pieces, if possible cut into small pieces with the bone in or use whole jointed pieces
1 medium onion, finely sliced
2 cloves garlic, crushed or grated
1 tsp cumin seeds, lightly crushed
2 medium tomatoes or 1 large one, finely chopped
1 1/2 tsp garam masala
1 tsp red chilli powder
2 green chillies, slit in two
a handful of  fresh coriander /cilantro, chopped
optional, a few curry leaves

1. Heat oil in a large pot or wok,  add your cumin seeds and fry till they start to crackle and pop. Add onions and stir fry till they start to change colour. Stir in garlic and curry leaves, if using.

2. Add chicken pieces, and stir fry to brown the outside. Switch off and stir in the spices,  about 1/3 cup to 1/2 cup water depending on the size of chicken pieces you are using.  Add in your tomatoes,  stir turn on the stove and bring to a boil. Then simmer covered till the chicken is cooked through. Stir occasionally.

3. Remove the lid and cook a little further to reduce the gravy and make it thick. taste and adjust seasoning. Stir in coriander leaves cook for 1 minute and switch off. Serve with any kind of flatbread of your choice.

Note : If you are wondering what garam masala is, its an indian spice blend. It can be available in spice sections in supermarkets or  you can even make your own. Different cooks and chefs have different blends of garam masala, so you can try one of these two if you prefer to make your own.
Garam masala : recipe from collaborative curry
Garam masala 2 : tarla dalal recipe

Have a nice week end!!!