Chicken ka Saalan (Chicken Curry)

Ingredients:

Chicken - 2 lbs, cut into 5"-6" pieces
Oil - 5, 6 tbsp
Onion - 1, sliced
Tomato - 1, roughly diced; microwaved for a minute
Yogurt - 1 cup
Ginger paste - 1 tsp
Garlic paste - 1 tsp
Salt - 1.5 tsp
Red chili powder - 1 tsp
Turmeric powder - 1/2 tsp
Coriander powder - 1 tsp
Garam masala - 1/2 tsp
Cloves - 5, 6 whole
Cinnamon stick (whole) - 4" piece
Big cardamom - 2; opened
Cumin (whole) - 1 tsp


Method:

1. Heat oil. Add cloves, cinnamon, cardamom and cumin. As soon as the cumin starts changing colour (45 seconds - 1 minute roughly), add the onion. Cook until the onion is golden-brown. Turn off the stove and remove the contents of the pot into a plate.
2. In a blender, add yogurt, onion stuff and tomato. Blend to a smooth paste.
3. In the remaining oil, add salt, chili powder, turmeric, coriander powder, garam masala, ginger garlic pastes and fry for a few seconds. Add the chicken pieces, coating them evenly in the spice mix. Fry the chicken for 5 minutes, turning occasionally to prevent from burning.
4. Add the yogurt mixture and a cup of water. Mix and cook covered for 25 minutes.

* Serve with rotis. You can also serve this with naan or boiled rice (basmati).