Kolhapuri Chicken Curry - Tambda rassa

This is my first try on making this exotic and delicious chicken. Since I am a vegetarian I cannot tell you how it tasted but, after seeing a huge reaction (WOW!) and a big smile on my hubby's face I can tell you it should have tasted heavenly, he finished it in a single take!!!

Ingredients:

For Gravy

1 big Onion sliced
1 Tomato diced
4 tbsp Oil
1 tsp Cumin Seeds
1 tbsp Coriander seeds
2 tbsp Sesame seeds
1 tbsp Poppy seeds (Gasagasalu)
2 tbsp minced Garlic
Whole Garam masala spices (Bay leaf, Green Cardamom, 2-3 Cloves, 1/2 inch Cinnamon)
1/2 tsp Garam masala powder
3 tbsp dry shredded Coconut
2 tbsp red chili powder (or to taste) or degi mirch or kashmiri mirch powder
Salt to  taste
Cilantro/coriander leafs for garnishing

Ingredients for Marination
1 lb Chicken drumsticks/ leg pieces
1/2 tsp Turmeric powder
1 tbsp Ginger Garlic paste
1 tbsp Lemon Juice


Method:

Marination:
Remove skin and any extra fat from the drum sticks. Wash them well and drain them. Make deep cuts on either side of the thigh so that the marination will be able to pierce in. Prepare the marination mixture with the above mentioned marination ingredients and rub it on all sides on chicken and keep to marinate for 30 min.

Preparation of Masala:
Heat 1/2tbsp of oil in a pan and add cumin seeds, whole garam spices, coriander seeds, sesame seeds, poppy seeds, chopped garlic one by one and cook till spices start to change its color. Add dry grated coconut, sliced onion and cook till onion turn light brown color.
Later when the mixture is ready, turn off the stove and let it cool down. Add this mixture along with tomatoes to blender and grind to make smooth paste by adding some water.

Curry:
Heat 4tbsp of oil in a pan and add ground masala paste, red chilli powder, garam masala and mix well. Cook it for five min. Add marinated chicken pieces, mix well, add water to desired consistency, cover and cook till the chicken gets tender. Finally garnish with cilantro/coriander leafs.

Hot and spicy Kolapuri Chicken Curry is ready to serve!