CHICKEN XACUTI

One of the Most Popular Goan Dish – Chicken Cooked with a Medley of Spices

Preparation Time : 25 minutes

Cooking Time : 40 minutes

Servings : 4 INGREDIENTS

Chicken, cut into 12 pieces                                                1 (800 grams) Oil                                                                                                4 tablespoons Coconut, scraped                                                                   1 cup Garlic                                                                                          4-6 cloves Whole dry red chillies, broken                                        4 Cumin seeds                                                                            1 teaspoon Coriander seeds                                                                     1 1/2 tablespoons Black peppercorns                                                                10 Fennel seeds (saunf)                                                           1 teaspoon Carom seeds (ajwain)                                                          1 teaspoon Poppy seeds (khuskhus/posto)                                       2 tablespoons Cloves                                                                                        6 Cinnamon                                                                                 2 inch stick Star anise                                                                                  4 Turmeric powder                                                                   1/2 teaspoon Onions, chopped                                                                   2 medium Salt                                                                                              to taste Tamarind pulp                                                                        1 tablespoon Nutmeg, grated                                                                     1/4 teaspoon PREPARATION Heat one tablespoon of oil in a pan and lightly brown coconut and transfer into a mixer jar. Add garlic cloves. Dry roast red chillies, cumin seeds, coriander seeds, black peppercorns, fennel seeds, carom seeds, poppy seeds, cloves, cinnamon and star anise till fragrant. Add it to the coconut in the jar. Add turmeric powder and a little water and grind to a smooth paste. COOKING Heat the remaining oil in a deep pan and sauté onions till well browned. Add chicken and sauté on high heat for two to three minutes. Add salt and mix. Add the masala paste and stir well. Add two cups of water and stir. Add tamarind pulp and mix. Grate some nutmeg (about ¼ teaspoon) and add. When the mixture comes to a boil, reduce heat, cover and cook for about thirty minutes or till the chicken is done. Serve hot with boiled Goan red rice.