Chicken peratel

A favourite from Mdm Krishnan's South Indian Recipes

Chicken Peratel
Adapted from Mdm Krishnan’s South Indian Recipes
Serves 4

1 whole chicken, cut into pieces
1 teaspoon turmeric powder
2 tablespoons chilli powder (use a mild one)
1 teaspoon salt
9 tablespoons oil
2 ½ cm stick cinnamon
3 cloves
3 cardamom
1 star anise
3 sprig curry leaves
250g onions, sliced
20g ginger, chopped
3 cloves garlic, chopped
1 tablespoon chilli powder (use a mild one)
1/2 teaspoon fennel powder, coarsely pounded
2 teaspoons salt
Handful of coriander leaves, chopped

Marinate the chicken with turmeric powder, chili powder and salt and set aside for 10 minutes. Heat 6 tablespoons oil in a wok and fry the chicken in batches until lightly browned on all sides. Remove the chicken from the wok and pour off any excess oil. Add 240g water to the wok and scrape any browned residue off. Keep this gravy for later.

In a clean wok, heat 3 tablespoons oil and the whole spices. When the oil is hot, add the curry leaves and heat until the leaves pop. Add the onions to the wok and fry until lightly browned. Add the chopped ginger and garlic. Fry for 1 minute. Add the chilli powder, fennel powder, salt and chicken. Fry for 1 minute. Add the reserved gravy and cook, stirring frequently, until the chicken is cooked and the gravy has been reduced and coats the chicken. Taste and adjust seasoning. Sprinkle over the coriander leaves and stir it through.