2Cook the whole spices (bay leaves, cinnamon stick, cumin seeds, green cardamoms) and green chillies for 1 minute on a low medium heat until the aromas release.
3Add the sliced onions and salt to the pan.
4Saute the onions until they are a deep golden brown on medium low heat for about 10 minutes, adding splashes of water if anything sticks.
5Add the chicken pieces, grated ginger, and crushed garlic to the pan.
6Cook on high heat, stirring frequently, until the color of the chicken changes.
7Cover the pan and simmer on low for 8 minutes.
8Uncover, turn the heat to high, add the powdered spices (bassar masala or curry powder, freshly ground cumin, freshly ground coriander, kashmiri chilli powder) and 3 tbsp of oil to help the spices cook.
9Continue to cook, stirring frequently, until the oil separates from the chicken and masala and there is no raw spice smell. This will take between 5-10 minutes.
10Add the tomato puree, tomato passata, fresh chopped coriander, and green chillies to the pan.
11Mix thoroughly and cook on high heat for about 3 minutes, stirring frequently.
12Cover and simmer for 5 minutes.
13Uncover, bring up the heat and cook for 3 minutes to fry everything off well.
14Add the kasuri methi and freshly ground black pepper.
15Mix thoroughly.
16Pour in water, mix well, and bring to a boil.
17Cover and simmer for 15 minutes.
18Garnish with fresh coriander.
Ingredients
1 kg chicken niblets or of choice
2 tbsp oil
5 tbsp ghee
1.5 tsp salt
4 sliced medium onions
1 crushed medium bulb garlic
2 inch piece grated ginger
to taste Fresh green chillies
7 to 8 green cardamoms
5 small bay leaves
1 2 inch cinnamon stick
1 tsp cumin seeds
1.5 tsp bassar masala or curry powder
1 tsp freshly ground cumin
1.5 tsp freshly ground coriander
2 tsp kashmiri chilli powder
3 tbsp oil
1 heaped tbsp tomato puree
150 ml tomato passata
0.5 cup fresh chopped coriander
1 tbsp kasuri methi
0.25 to 0.5 tsp freshly ground black pepper
Equipment
panspoonlidchopping boardsmall bowlplates
Tips
Add splashes of water if anything sticks while sauteing onions.
Cook the spices until there is no raw spice smell.
Remember it's a bhuna, so don't add too much water.
Garnish with fresh coriander and serve with paratha or steaming hot rice.