Orange Chicken

Orange chicken is a Chinese take out favorite. It can be made easily at home if you have the following ingredients in hand.

Ingredients:

3 Chicken breasts cut into cubes

2 eggs beaten

1 1/2 cups flour

Salt and pepper to taste

For Sauce

1 cup orange juice

1/4 cup brown sugar

2 tbsp soy sauce

1 tsp ground ginger and garlic

Chilly flakes (optional)

2 tbsp corn starch dissolved in water

Method:

1. Add salt and pepper to flour.

2.Dip the chicken in egg and then coat with flour.

3.Deep fry the floured chicken pieces for about 5 to 6 minutes and drain on a paper towel.

4.Mix together all the ingredients for sauce except the corn starch and bring it to a boil.

5.Add the corn starch and stir until the sauce is thick.

6.Add the fried chicken pieces to the sauce and stir till all sauce is absorbed by the chicken pieces.

Pepper Chicken

Pepper chicken is one of Amma's signature dishes.She has many fans who request her to make this every time they come home.

Ingredients:

1 kg chicken

3 medium onions chopped

1 cup sliced coconut(thenga kothu)- optional

1 tbsp garlic paste

1 tbsp ginger paste

2 sprigs curry leaves

2 green chillies

salt to taste

2 tbsp oil(sesame oil recommended)

Powders:

2 tbsp coriander powder
1 1/2 tbsp pepper powder
1 1/2 tbsp jeera powder

Method:

1.Heat oil in a pan.Add the coconut slices and fry till it turns golden brown.

2.Add ginger,garlic,onion,curry leaves and chilies.

3.When the onion turns light brown in colour add the powders and mix well.

4.Add the chicken and salt. Cover and cook on low flame until chicken is cooked.

5.Open the lid and simmer till all the water is evaporated. Serve hot.

Jeera Chicken

I am back after a long break. This is a simple chicken preparation which can be used as an appetizer or a main dish. Only few ingredients are needed for this recipe.Its a dry preparation which will go well with rice or chappathi.

Ingredients:

1 kg chicken
3 onions chopped
1/2 tsp jeera
2 tbsp ginger garlic paste
1/4 cup coriander leaves chopped
2 tbsp oil
salt to taste

Powders:

1/2 tbsp garam masala
1 tsp chilli powder(increase according to taste)
1/4 tsp turmeric powder
1/2 tbsp coriander powder
1/2 tbsp jeera powder

Method:

1.Add 1/2 tsp jeera into hot oil. Let it splutter.
2.Add the ginger garlic paste and saute.
3.Add the onion and saute till the onion turns golden brown.
4.Add the powders and saute till the raw smell is gone.
5.Add chicken pieces and salt to the pan and cook on low flame till the chicken is cooked.There is no need to add water for cooking the chicken. Some water will come out of the chicken.
6.Once the chicken is cooked and all the water has evaporated add the coriander leaves and mix well.Serve hot.

Butter Chicken

Butter Chicken is ammas signature dish. She had participated in 'Gulf Pachaka Rani' on Kairali tv and won first place for this dish.

Ingredients:

1/2 kg chicken
2 onions chopped
1 tomato
2 tsp ginger garlic paste
1 1/2 tsp chilly powder
1/4 tsp turmeric powder
20 cashew nuts
1 tsp kasuri methi
1/2 cup cream(milk)
3 tbsp butter
salt to taste


Method:

1.Marinate the chicken pieces with 1 tsp ginger garlic paste,3/4 tsp chilly powder,1 pinch turmeric powder and salt.Keep aside for 30 minutes.

2.Place tomato in boiling water.Peel it and grind to smooth paste.

3.Add 1 tbsp butter to a pan and saute the onions for around 3 minutes.When it cools down grind it to smooth paste.

4.Grind the cashews and make a paste by adding the cream.

5. Fry the chicken in 1 tbsp butter till half done.

6.In a pan add 1 tbsp butter and add 1 tsp ginger garlic paste and saute.

7.Add the remaining turmeric powder,chilly powder and saute.

8.Add the onion paste to it and mix well.

9.Add the tomato puree.

10.Add the fried chicken,close the lid and cook for 5 minutes.

11.Add cashew paste and kasuri methi.

PS: If the gravy is too thick add some milk to loosen it.