Chicken Curry

" Tell me what you do with the food you eat, and I'll tell you who you are. Some turn their food into fat and manure, some into work and good humor, and others, I'm told, into God. So there must be three sorts of men. I'm not one of the worst, boss, nor yet one of the best. I'm somewhere in between the two. What I eat I turn into work and good humor. That's not too bad, after all!' " - Zorba the Greek


The only highlight of my Life these days is what is served at the table. The days go by in a blur, one no different from the other. I remember how I used to think about my days, when Life was 'Normal'.
Now, no Mondays to dread, no mid-week crisis, no happy Fridays and the constant whining about weekends gone too soon. After this period, I will never look at Life with those mundane feelings.

Now, does the above paragraph look like a rant ? It is not. I am more than happy to be home, with my loved ones and with enough to go by. These days, however brings back memories of Ammamma. It makes me think of how life now is more like how life was years ago. No one is in a rush to go anywhere, no work to rush to, no running around in a haze to get things done. We suddenly have all the time in the world. It takes me back to those summer afternoons in Mahe, when life and time stood still.

In Mahe, when lunch was done and the dining table wiped clean, the elders would go to their rooms for the customary naps. Ask any person from Kerala, they will agree on this customary nap. However, my Ammamma did not nap. Her style was more like dozing off while finishing off the rest of the morning Newspaper. After nodding off with the paper, more times than one can possible count she would finally wake up. Now, most of the children in my family are supposed to nap too. But , you should know such rules do not apply to me. I am just one of those children, who cannot sleep in the afternoons. No Mallu blood in me I guess. So, such afternoons were my time with Ammamma. After walking around the backyard and listening to her stories, and not knowing what else to do,  she would proclaim, " Let's go to the store". Heeeyah...who doesn't want to? And I am always the one ready to tag along. 

So, we get ready. Me - I am always ready. So I wait patiently, while she changes into her "stepping out -Mundu", with a matching hand embroidered blouse, and a big cloth bag. No we do not, cannot go to the store without the cloth bag. The bag is so big, my curious mind wants to ask , " Do we really need this big a bag ? "But no, I am impatient to step out and I am not delaying this afternoon jaunt. 
Once we are out on the road, Ammamma is in her elements. Any person who walks past, gets an uninvited introduction to me and where we are going.  Each eye contact answered with a wide smile and the trademark nod.So we stop to talk to each moving thing that we come across. By the time, we reach the store, the whole of Mahe knows Ammmama has her children and grand children over for summer. And to finish off in style, a longer introduction to the store manager, more details shared and unwarranted information transferred while he wraps and ties up each of the items that we ask for. Now, on the way back, the conversations are limited as we are panting and dragging those big bags ( Now, I know why she needed those bags) - so the all-encompassing nod has to do. By the time we reach home, I mutter under my breath," I am not doing this again". But I am glad, I did go with her  every time she wanted to go to the store. It was some of the best times I spent with her. I look back at it fondly, when life was simpler and everyone had the time to stop and listen. 

So, in all this mayhem, if there is anything good, I hope it is this. That I always find the joy in slowing down and enjoying the little things in life. 

Ingredients :

Chicken - 2 lbs.
Curd - 1 Cup
Chilli Powder Kashmiri - 1 Tbsp.
Salt
Lemon Juice - 1 Tbsp.

Marinate the chicken with the above for an hour minimum. 

Cinnamon stick - 2 - about one inch long
Black Cardamom - 2
Green Cardamom - 4
Cloves - 5
Dry Red Chillies - 2 or 3 (Adjust accordingly to your spice tolerance)

Onions - 2 - Large - Chopped small
Ginger Garlic paste - 1 Tbsp.
Tomatoes - 2 - Sliced long
Turmeric Powder - 1/2 tsp
Chilli Powder - 1 tsp
Coriander Cumin Powder - 1.5 tsp
Punjabi Garam Masala - 1/2 tsp
Pepper Powder - 1 tsp ( less if you do not want it spicy)
Kasuri Methi - 1/2 tsp

Method : 

Heat oil in a pan. 
Add the chopped onions. Cook the onions till they turn light brown in color. Add a bit of salt to fasten the cooking process.
Add the ginger garlic paste and cook till the raw smell dissipates.
Add the chopped tomatoes. Add the turmeric powder, Chilli powder, Coriander Cumin Powder and give a good mix. Cook till the tomatoes turn mushy. Turn the heat to very low and keep ready.
Meanwhile, heat oil in another pan. Throw in all the spices and dry Red chillies and let them sizzle in the oil for a bit. Do not burn.
To this add the marinated chicken along with the marinade  and toss well on high heat.
Cook till the chicken turns brown in spots. Now add the onion tomato mixture to the chicken and mix well. Add salt.
Cover and cook till the chicken is cooked and the gravy thickens. Add warm water if you prefer to adjust the consistency. 
Cook till the chicken is cooked and oil floats on top. To this, add the Punjabi Garam Masala and give it a good mix. 
Do a taste test and adjust salt. Add the pepper powder and mix.
Crush the dry Kasuri Methi in your palms and add them to the curry. Turn off the flame. Cover and allow it to rest for few minutes. 
Serve hot with rice or rotis.