Ingredients

3 in piece of fresh ginger peeled and coarsely chopped
3 tbsps peeled and coarsely chopped garlic
6-8 lamb chops from the ribs, remove all extra fat
8 fl oz grated or finely chopped tomatoes
2 medium sized onions very finely chopped
1 tbsp cayenne
12 fl oz Greek yoghurt beaten
1 1/2 tsps salt
1 tsp ground roasted cumin seeds
1-2 tsps Punjabi garam masala
3 tbsps lemon juice
2-3 tbsps chopped fresh green coriander

Method

Put the ginger and garlic into the container of an electric blender with 2-3 tablespoons of water and blend to a paste. Put the chops, tomatoes, onions, cayenne pepper, yoghurt, salt and ginger-garlic paste into a large wok or heavy-bottomed saucepan. Stir and bring to the boil. Turn the heat to low, cover and simmer for 50 minutes or until the chops are almost cooked. Add the cumin seeds and simmer for 10 to 15 minutes or until the meat is tender and the sauce thick. Add the garam masala and lemon juice and stir. Sprinkle fresh coriander over the top and serve.

TIPS
In the Punjab, tomatoes are grated to make a puree. Don’t be tempted to use ready-prepared tomato puree instead of fresh. The spice combinations in garam masala vary in different parts of India. In the Punjab this one which you can try making yourself is common: 5 tbsps coriander seeds, 3 tbsps cumin seeds, 2 1/2 tbsps black peppercorns, 2 1/2 black cardamom seeds, 2 in cinnamon stick, 4-5 cloves, 1/6 nutmeg. Put the coriander and the cumin into a cast-iron frying-pan over a medium heat. Stir until lightly roasted. Allow to cool. Grind with the remaining ingredients in a clean coffee grinder and store in a tightly lidded jar.
Copyright of the British Broadcasting Corporation

Posted by RB on Friday, January 18, 2002
Comments (2)
Chicken Curry with Tomatoes (Murgha Kari)
This dish from the Punjab takes only 30 minutes to prepare. In India fresh tomatoes would be used in this dish.

Ingredients

4 medium onions, chopped
2 tablespoons curry powder
1/2 cup butter or cooking oil
1 cup or 1 can (8 ounces)tomato sauce
2 teaspoons salt
1 frying chicken (2 to 3 pounds)
3/4 cup hot water

Method

Use a casserole or large skillet with lid. Cook onions and curry powder in butter for 10 to 15 minutes. Add tomato sauce and salt. Disjoint and skin chicken, and place in sauce. Cook, uncovered, over medium heat, turning frequently until sauce becomes quite dry and chicken tests done with fork, about 15 minutes. Add hot water, cover pot, and cook over low heat for 5 minutes. Makes 4 servings.

Puri:
Fine semolina (Sooji) 1/2 cup
Plain Flour (maida) 1/2 tbsp.
Clubsoda 3 tbsp.
Salt to taste

Pani:
Chopped Mint Leaves 1 1/2 cups
Chopped Coriander Leaves 1 tbsp.
Tamarind 1/3 cup
Ginger 1″
Green Chillies 4 to 5
Ground Cumin Seed (roasted) 1 tsp.
Black Salt 1 1/2 tsp.
Salt to taste

Other Things:
Mashed slightly cooked potatoes with salt to taste 2 small
Tamarind Chutney

Method:

Puri:
1. Mix semolina, plain flour, soda water and salt. Knead well to make a semi-stiff dough. Cover it with clean wet cloth for about 10 minutes.
2. Divide the dough into forty equal portions and roll each portion into circles. Place each circle under damp cloth right after rolling.
3. Heat oil in a kadhai. Deep fry these circles, slightly pressing with a slotted spoon, until they puff up and are golden brown.
4. Place the puffed circles (“puris”) on absorbent kitchen tissue. Extra puris should be stored in an air-tight container.

Pani:
1. Soak the tamarind in ½ cup of warm water for approximately 45 minutes. Strain out the pulp to get tamarind water.
2. Add mint leaves, chopped coriander, ginger, chillies and cumin seed. Add a little water and mix to a smooth consistency using a blender.
3. Transfer the paste into a large bowl. Add 1 litre of water, continuously mixing the contents with a spoon. Add black salt and salt. Mix well.
4. Refrigerate for about 2 hours to ensure proper blending.

To Serve: Pani-Puri is to be eaten as soon as it is served.
1. Poke a small hole in the center of each puri.
2. Add small quantity of mashed fried potatoes as filling. Add a little imli chutney. Dip in pani so that puri is filled with it. Serve.

Okra (bhindi) 1/2 kg
Tomatoes 3 (medium)
Onions 2 (large)
Green chillies 3
Cinnamon 1 piece
Cloves 3
Bay leaf 1
Ginger-garlic paste 1 tsp.
Red chilli powder 1 tsp.
Oil 2 cups
Garam masala powder 1 tsp.
Coriander leaves for garnishing
Salt to taste

Method:

1. Cut the onions, tomatoes, okra & green chillies.
2. Heat the oil in pan and add the okra pieces. Deep fry.
3. Remove fried okra and place on kitchen tissue or table napkin so that excess oil is removed. Keep it aside.
4. Heat 3 spoons of oil in a pan. Fry the cinnamon, cloves and bay leaf for 30 seconds. Now add onions, green chilli pieces and fry them until onions turn light brown.
5. Add the ginger-garlic paste and fry for one minute.
6. Add tomato pieces, red chilli powder and salt, cover the pan and cook for a few minutes until tomatoes become soft. Stir twice or thrice to prevent the mixture from sticking to the pan.

7. Add fried okra and mix slowly. Keep on heat for two more minutes and then remove the pan.

Garnish with coriander leaves and serve hot.

Lady finger (okra / bhindi) 250 gms.
Gram flour 1 tbsp.
Thinly sliced onion 1
Thinly sliced green chilli 1
Mango powder 1/2 tsp.
Coriander powder 1/2 tsp.
Red chilli powder 1/2 tsp.
Garam masala powder 1/2 tsp.
Cumin seeds 1 tsp.
Turmeric Powder 1/4 tsp.
Vegetable oil as required
Salt to taste

Method:

1. Cut lady finger into thin long slices.
2. Heat oil in a kadhai. Deep fry lady finger until crisp and light golden brown.
3. Keep the fried lady finger aside. Just leave 2 tbsp oil in kadhai, remove the rest.
4. Add cumin seeds and green chilli and fry for 30 seconds. Add sliced onion and fry until golden brown.
5. Add gram flour, mango powder and saute for 3-4 minutes. Add lady finger and the remaining ingredients. Mix well. Heat for a few seconds and then remove from heat.

Garnish with green coriander leaves and serve hot (if possible in a copper base kadhai).

Carrots 2
Cauliflower florets 8 – 9
Green beans 11 – 12
Green peppers, small 2
Green peas 1/2 cup
Tomato, small 1
Onions, medium 2
Almonds 7-8
Cashews 7-8
Ginger 2 inches
Garlic 2 – 3 flakes
Cumin seeds 1 tsp.
Red chilli powder 1 tbsp.
Coriander powder 1 tbsp.
Lemon juice 1 tbsp.
Coriander leaves, chopped for garnishing
Salt to taste
Water 1 cup

Method:

1. Cut vegetables into 1 inch pieces.
2. Grate one onions and keep aside. Make thin slices of the second onion. Keep aside.
3. Make paste of almonds and cashews. Keep aside.
4. Make paste of ginger and garlic. Keep aside.
5. Heat oil in a pan. Add cumin seeds. Wait till they sputter.
6. Add grated onions and stir till lightly cooked.
7. Reduce flame. Add ginger-garlic paste, lemon juice, chilli powder and coriander powder. Stir. After a minute, add almond-cashew paste. Stir the mixture till it is barely dry and starts separating from sides of the pan.
8. Add carrots, cauliflower and green beans. Mix well. Now add water. Stir, cover and let boil for 4-5 minutes.
9. Add green peppers, tomato, green peas and sliced onions while continuously stirring.
10. Cook till vegetables are tender. Now add salt.
11. Leave on heat for a minute more.
12. Garnish with coriander leaves. Serve hot.

Paneer 200 grams
Cooked green peas 1 cup
Onion 1
Tomatoes 1
Bay leaves 2
Cloves 3-4
Black pepper powder 1/4 tsp.
Ginger-garlic paste 1 tsp.
Green chilli 1
Turmeric Powder 1/2 tsp.
Red chilli powder 1 tsp.
Coriander powder 1/2 tsp.
Poppey seeds 1 tbsp.
Roasted cumin powder 1 tsp.
Garam Masala Powder 1 tsp
Vegetable oil 5-6
Salt to taste
Green coriander leaves for garnishing

Method:

1. Heat oil in a pan / kadhai.
2. Cut paneer into small cubes. Fry over medium heat until light brown. Turn pieces while frying. Be very careful as it splatters. Keep aside the paneer pieces.
3. Cut onion, tomato and green chilli. Grind it in mixie and make paste. Add ginger-garlic paste.
4. Heat remaining oil and fry bay leaves and cloves for 30 secs. Add the paste and fry on medium heat until golden brown (The oil starts separating from the mixture).
5. Add red chilli powder, turmeric powder, coriander powder, garam masala, black pepper powder, poppey seeds and salt. Mix well. Add green peas and fry for 2-3 minutes.
6. Add water just enough to make thick gravy. Bring the gravy to boil.
7. Add paneer pieces. Stir well and cook over medium heat for 5 minutes.

Garnish with chopped green coriander leaves and serve hot.

Chick peas (kabuli chana) 1 cup
Onion 1
Tomato 1
Green chilli 1
Garlic 4-5
Ginger an inch
Bay leaves 2-3
Red chilli powder 1 tsp.
Turmeric Powder 1/2 tsp.
Coriander powder 1 tsp.
Garam Masala Powder 1 tsp.
Tea 1 tsp.
Vegetable oil 3 tbsp.
Salt to taste
Coriander leaves for garnishing

Method:

1. Soak chick peas in water for overnight.
2. Take a small piece of white cloth. Place some tea leaves in the centre, gather the cloth and seal its mouth so that tea leaves don’t fall out. Keep this in the pressure cooker along with chick peas. Pressure cook until tender. Tea adds brown color to the chick peas
3. Cut onion, tomato and green chilli. Grind it in mixie along with ginger and garlic and make paste.
4. Heat oil in a pan and fry bay leaves for 30 secs. Add the paste and fry on medium heat until golden brown (The oil starts separating from the mixture).
5. Add red chilli powder, turmeric powder, coriander powder, garam masala and salt. Mix well. Fry for 2-3 minutes.
6. Add water enough to make thick gravy. Bring the gravy to boil.

7. Add cooked chick peas (along with the water in which it was cooked, remove tea cloth). Stir well and cook over medium heat for 5-7 minutes.

Garnish with chopped green coriander leaves and serve hot.

1 Whole chicken about 1-1/2 Kg
Thinly sliced onions 4 ( medium size)
Finely chopped tomatoes 5 (medium size)
Garlic paste 1 tsp.
Ginger paste 2 tsp.
Finely chopped green chilli 1 tbsp.
Yogurt (curd) 1/2 cup
Bay leaves 2-3
Black pepper 6-7
Cloves 3-4
Brown cardamom 2
Red chilli powder 1 tsp.
Coriander powder 1 tsp.
Turmeric Powder 1 tsp.
Roasted cumin powder 1 tsp.
Salt to taste
Vegetable oil 7 tbsp.
Green coriander leaves for garnishing

Method:

1. Thoroughly clean the chicken and cut into pieces.
2. Heat 4 tbsp. oil in a big frying pan. Add chicken pieces and saute them until brown on all sides.
3. Remove the chicken pieces. Add the remaining oil and heat.
4. Add bay leaves, black pepper, cloves and brown cardamom and fry for few seconds. Add sliced onion, ginger, garlic and green chilli and fry over medium heat until they turn light brown.
5. Add red chilli powder, coriander powder, turmeric powder, roasted cumin powder and salt. Stir well. Add tomatoes and cook until tender.
6. Add churned yogurt and water (3 cups). Stir and bring it to boil on high. Reduce the heat to medium and add chicken pieces.
7. Cover the pan and cook until the chicken is tender and the gravy is thick.

Garnish with chopped green coriander leaves and serve hot.

CHICKEN MARINATION:
Boneless chicken (small pieces) 900 grams
Yogurt 1/4 cup
Ginger (minced) 3 tsp.
Garlic (crushed) 3 tsp.
White pepper 1/4 tsp.
Cumin powder 1/4 tsp.
Mace 1/4 tsp.
Nutmeg 1/4 tsp.
Green cardamom powder 1/4 tsp.
Chilli powder 1/4 tsp.
Turmeric 1/4 tsp.
Lemon Juice 3 tbsp.
Oil 4 tbsp.

SAUCE (GRAVY) :
Tomato Paste 1.5 kgs
Ginger-Garlic paste 4 tsp.
Green chillies (small size. Finely chopped) 5-6
Red chilli powder 1 tbsp.
Cloves 5-6
Green cardamom 8
Butter 3 tbsp.
Cream 2/3 cup
Fenugreek 1 tsp.
Ginger (thin strands) 2 tsp.
Coriander leaves for garnishing
Salt to taste

Method:

1. Mix all ingredients given “Chicken Marination”. Add chicken pieces. For best results marinate overnight.
2. Preheat the oven to 350 F. Bake chicken for 4 mins. Baste with little oil (or butter). Bake for another 4 mins. Again baste with little oil (or butter). Bake for final 3 mins.
3. While the chicken is baking, prepare the sauce. Add tomatoes, tomato paste and tomato puree in a pan. Add 4 cups of water. Add ginger-garlic paste, green chillies, red chilli powder, cloves, cardamom and salt.
4. Cook for a few minutes, lightly stirring in between till the sauce becomes thick. Strain sauce.
5. Now add butter and cream. Mix. Add fenugreek and ginger strands. Mix and bring to a boil.
6. Add chicken and let it cook for a couple of minutes.

Garnish with coriander leaves and serve hot.

Basmati rice 2 cups
Chicken pieces 3/4 kg.
Milk 1/2 cup
Yogurt (curd) 1 cup
Thinly sliced onion 3
Ginger paste 1 tsp.
Garlic paste 1/2 tsp.
Green chilli paste 1 tsp.
Tomato puree 1/2 cup
Red chilli powder 2 tsp.
Turmeric Powder 1 tsp.
Roasted cumin powder 1 tsp.
Garam Masala Powder 2 tsp.
Green cardamom powder 1/2 tsp.
Saffron a pinch
Coriander powder 1 tsp.
Green coriander leaves 2 tbsp.
Salt to taste
Vegetable oil 7 tbsp.

Method:

1. Mix tomato puree, yogurt, ginger garlic paste, green chilli paste, red chilli powder, turmeric powder, roasted cumin powder, garam masala, coriander powder and salt. Stir well.
2. Marinate the chicken with this mixture and keep aside for 3-4 hours.
3. Heat oil in a pan. Fry the onions until golden brown.
4. Add the marinated chicken and cook for 10 minutes.
5. Add 4 cups of water to the rice. Mix saffron in milk and add to it. Add cardamom powder. Add the chicken pieces. Pressure cook the rice.

Mix gently. Garnish with green coriander leaves and serve hot.