Malvani Chicken Curry

Malvani Chicken Curry is a spicy and flavorful curry dish from the Malvan region of Maharashtra, India. It is known for its rich and aromatic gravy made with a blend of traditional Indian spices and coconut. Here's a recipe to make Malvani Chicken Curry:

Ingredients:

• 500 grams chicken pieces, cleaned and washed
• 1 large onion, finely chopped
• 2 tomatoes, finely chopped
• 2-3 green chilies, slit
• 1 tablespoon ginger-garlic paste
• 1/2 cup grated coconut
• 1 tablespoon Malvani masala (a spice blend readily available in Indian stores)
• 1 teaspoon red chili powder
• 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
• 1 teaspoon coriander powder
• 1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 2-3 cloves
• 2-3 cardamom pods
• 2 tablespoons oil
• Salt to taste
• Fresh coriander leaves for garnish

Instructions:

1. In a blender, grind the grated coconut along with a little water to make a smooth paste. Set it aside.
2. Heat oil in a deep pan or kadhai over medium heat. Add cumin seeds, cinnamon stick, cloves, and cardamom pods. Let them sizzle for a few seconds until fragrant.
3. Add the finely chopped onions and sauté until they turn golden brown.
4. Add the ginger-garlic paste and green chilies. Sauté for a minute until the raw smell disappears.
5. Add the chopped tomatoes and cook until they become soft and mushy.
6. Add the Malvani masala, red chili powder, turmeric powder, coriander powder, and salt. Mix well and cook for a couple of minutes to allow the spices to release their flavors.
7. Add the chicken pieces to the pan and coat them well with the onion and spice mixture. Cook for a few minutes until the chicken is lightly browned.
8. Add the coconut paste to the pan and mix it with the chicken. Add a little water if needed to adjust the consistency of the gravy.
9. Cover the pan and let the chicken cook in the gravy over medium heat until it is tender and fully cooked. This may take around 20-25 minutes, depending on the size of the chicken pieces.
10. Once the chicken is cooked, garnish the Malvani Chicken Curry with fresh coriander leaves.
11. Serve the Malvani Chicken Curry hot with steamed rice, roti (Indian bread), or bhakri (a traditional Maharashtrian bread).

Enjoy the aromatic and spicy flavors of Malvani Chicken Curry!