Jeera Chicken

1 tablespoon Cumin Seeds
1 tablespoon Oil
2 tablespoon Cumin Seeds
½ teaspoon Black Peppercorns
4 Green Cardamom Pods
½ teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes
2 Garlic Cloves, Crushed
1 in piece Root Ginger, grated
1 teaspoon Ground Coriander
2 teaspoon Ground Cumin
½ teaspoon Salt
8 Chicken Pieces, such as thighs and drumsticks, skinned (We use drumsticks)
1 teaspoon Garam Masala

Serve with Cucumber Raita (to be posted later)

1. Dry roast 1 T of the cumin seeds for 5 minutes and then set aside.
2. Heat the oil in a large heavy-based saucepan and fry the remaining cumin seeds, black peppercorns and cardamoms for about 2-3 minutes.
3. Add the chillies, garlic and ginger and fry for about 2 minutes.
4. Add the ground coriander, ground cumin and salt and cook for a further 2-3 minutes.
5. Add the chicken. Cover and simmer for 20-25 minutes.
6. Add the garam masala and reserved toasted cumin seeds and cook for a further 5 minutes.

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Kidney Bean Curry

You can substitute the same quantity of black beans, black-eyed peas, kidney beans, if you prefer.

1 1/3 cups Dried Red Kidney Beans
2 tablespoon Oil
½ teaspoon Cumin seeds
1 Onion, thinly sliced
1 green Chilli, finely chopped (substitute: ¼ teaspoon Red Pepper)
2 garlic Cloves, crushed
1 in piece root Ginger, grated

2 tablespoon Curry paste (substitute 2 teaspoons curry powder with a little bit of water)
1 teaspoon ground Cumin
1 teaspoon ground Coriander
¼ teaspoon Chilli powder (reduced from ½ teaspoon)
½ teaspoon salt

14 oz can chopped Tomatoes
2 tablespoon chopped fresh coriander

1. Leave the kidney beans to soak overnight in a bowl of cold water.
2. Drain the beans and put in a large saucepan with double the volume of water. Boil vigorously for 10 minutes. Skim off any scum. Cover and cook for 1 1 ½ hours or until the beans are soft.
3. Meanwhile, heat the oil in a large heavy-based frying pan and fry the cumin seeds for2 minutes until they begin to splutter. Add the onion, chilli, garlic and ginger and fry for 5 minutes. Stir in the curry paste, cumin, ground coriander, chilli powder and salt and cook for 5 minutes.
4. Add the tomatoes and simmer for 5 minutes. Add the beans and fresh coriander, reserving a little for the garnish. Cover and cook for 15 minutes, adding a little water if necessary. Serve garnished with the reserved fresh coriander.

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Chicken Jalfrezi

1 ½ lb Chicken Thighs, boneless and skinless
1 tablespoon Oil
1 teaspoon Cumin Seeds
1 Onion, finely chopped
1 Green Pepper, seeded and finely chopped
1 Red Pepper, seeded and finely chopped
1 Garlic Cloves, crushed
¾ inch piece Root Ginger, finely chopped
1 teaspoon Curry Powder and little water (substituted for 1 tablespoon Curry Paste)
¼ teaspoon Chilli Powder
1 teaspoon Ground Coriander
1 teaspoon Ground Cumin
½ teaspoon Salt
14oz can Chopped Tomatoes (used Stewed Tomatoes)
2 tablespoon chopped fresh Coriander

1. Remove any visible fat from the chicken and cut the meat into 1 inch cubes.
2. Heat the oil in a wok or heavy-based frying pan and fry the cumin seeds for 2 minutes until they splutter. Add the onion, peppers, garlic and ginger and fry for 6-8 minutes.
3. Add the curry paste and fry for about 2 minutes. Stir in the chilli powder, ground coriander, cumin and salt and add 1 tablespoon water; fry for a further 2 minutes.
4. Add the chicken cubes and fry for about 5 minutes. Add the canned tomatoes and chopped fresh coriander. Cover the wok or frying pan with a lid and cook for about 15 minutes or until the chicken cubes are tender. Garnish with a sprig of fresh coriander and serve with rice.

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