Shahjahani Murgh Handi

This is a very tasty and rich dish. This is called Handi because it is cooked in a Mud pot/vessel. Cooking in a mud vessel give a nutty and delicious aroma to gravy. This is an Awadhi cuisine which is rich and creamy wherein the chicken is cooked in a rich masala made with fried onions and spices.
  
This is a different recipe from the normal Awadhi cuisine,  a twist  to the traditional one, by adding mayonnaise and cheese.  Do try this, its finger licking.

Ingredients

500 Grams Boneless Chicken -  cut into medium cubes
1/2 Cup Yogurt - beaten
4 Tablespoons Mayonnaise With Egg-Homemade
1/4 Cup Cheddar Cheese
2 Tablespoons  Desiccated coconut
1 Tablespoon  Khus -Khus / Poppy seeeds
1 Tablespoon Ginger - Garlic paste
3 Large Tomatoes - finely chopped
5 Kashmiri Red Chillies - soaked in warm water
1 Teaspoon Sugar
1 Teaspoon Salt 
½ Teaspoon Black Pepper powder
1 Teaspoon Roasted Cumin Powder
1 Teaspoon Garam Masala powder
½ Teaspoon Turmeric powder
4 Tablespoons Fried Browned Onions / Birista 
4 Tablespoons Oil
3 Tablespoons Fresh Cream - reserve a tablespoon for garnishing
For Garnishing
1 Tablespoon  Fresh Coriander - finely chopped
1 Tablespoon  Mint leaves - chopped

Method

In a small mixer jar grind the soaked red chilies, poppy seeds and desiccated coconut  to a fine paste. 

In a bowl add chicken, ground paste rest of the ingredients mix well till chicken is well coated with spices.  Then keep it for marinating for at least an hour or two.

After 2 hours heat oil in mud vessel add this marinated chicken, cover and cook on very low flame. Stirring in between after every 3 minutes so that it does not get  burnt at the bottom.  Cook till the chicken is done and oil surfaces. Garnish  with fresh cream, chopped mint and coriander leaves.
Serve hot  with rotis or naan.  

Enjoy  this yummy, juicy chicken pieces in a rich and creamy gravy!!!
Labels : Chicken, Awadhi Cuisine, Mayonnaise, Yogurt, Tomato, Birista, Handi