Chicken Ulli Thoran

Ingredients (Serves 5)

1. Chicken, bone-in – 400 gm

Turmeric powder – 1/4 tsp

Pepper powder – 1/4 tsp

Salt – As required

Water – 1/4 cup

2. Coconut oil – 2 tbsp

3. Mustard seeds – 1/2 tsp

Dried red chilies – 2, broken

4. Onion – 1/2 cup, chopped

Shallots / pearl onion – 15 – 20,  quartered

Green chilies – 3 – 4, finely chopped or diagonally sliced

Curry leaves – 1 sprig

5. Turmeric powder – 1/4 tsp

Chilly powder – 1/2 tsp

Coriander powder – 1.5 tsp

6. Grated coconut – Around 1 – 1.5 cup

Garam masala powder – 1/2 tsp

Black pepper corns, crushed – 3/4 – 1 tsp

7. Salt – To taste

Method

1. Cook the chicken pieces adding the other ingredients numbered 1. Cook covered until done or for 1 whistle. Drain excess water and tear the chicken into small pieces. Discard the bones.

2. Heat  coconut oil in a pan/kadai or cheena chatti over medium heat. Splutter mustard seeds and fry dried red chilies. Add onion, pearl onion, little salt, green chilies and curry leaves. Saute until light golden. Add turmeric powder, chilly powder and coriander powder. Saute until raw smell leaves. Add grated coconut and mix well. Cook for a minute.  Add chicken pieces, garam masala powder and crushed pepper corns. Cook for 8 – 10 minutes until dry. Taste-check and add garam masala powder, few curry leaves and black pepper powder, if required. Add a tsp of coconut oil. Mix well and switch off. Serve with rice and other side-dishes.