Asma Khan’s Achari Murgh
Chicken cooked in pickling spices and yogurt. This dish is a family favourite in my home in India. The use of pickling spices has been linked to the royal family of Bhopal, where some say the dish originated.
SERVES
6
PEOPLE
PREP TIME
10
MINUTES
COOKING TIME
75
MINUTES
Ingredients
6 tbsp vegetable oil
1 large onion, halved and sliced into thin half-moons
¼ tsp fennel seeds
¼ tsp black mustard seeds
¼ tsp nigella seeds
1/8 tsp fenugreek seeds
¼ tsp whole cumin seeds
1 tsp garlic paste
1 tbsp ginger paste
1kg skinless chicken thighs on the bone
½ tsp ground turmeric
1 tsp ground coriander
¼ tsp Kashmiri red chilli powder
1kg plain yogurt
1 tsp salt, or to taste
1 fresh green chilli, slit open lengthways; plus extra, chopped,
to garnish
handful of coriander leaves, chopped, to garnish
Method
Heat the oil in a deep, heavy-based saucepan that has a lid over a high heat.
Take one tip of sliced onion and dip it into the edge of the oil.
The oil is hot enough when the onion starts to sizzle immediately.
If the onion does not sizzle immediately, wait for a minute and try with another slice of onion.
Do not use the previous onion slice for the test, add that slice to the pan with the rest of the sliced onions when the oil is at temperature.
Fry the onions until golden brown and caramelised, then remove with a slotted spoon and spread over a plate so they don’t become soggy.
To the same oil, add all the seed spices at the same time.
Wait until you hear the mustard seeds pop, then add the garlic and ginger pastes and stir until fragrant.
If the paste is sticking to the pan, add a splash of water to deglaze the pan. Add the chicken thighs and seal the meat all over, then add the ground turmeric, coriander, and chilli powder.
Crush the caramelised onions in a pestle and mortar (or in a bowl with the end of a rolling pin) and mix them with the yogurt, then add the mixture to the pan along with the salt and bring to the boil.
Cover the pan and reduce to a simmer for 30 minutes.
Remove the lid, add the slit chilli and continue to cook uncovered for a further 30 minutes, stirring the chicken until the sauce clings to the meat.
Taste for seasoning and adjust if required.
Garnish with chopped green chillies and coriander and serve with rice and salad.
