Palak Murgh
by shilpavir1

Serve with rice, chapatis or parathas. (whole wheat tortillas are good makeshift chapatis).
in general, I find that Indian meat dishes taste better the day after.

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Palak Murgh recipe - How to make Palak Murgh

2 - 3 lbs Chicken (with the bones)
1 small packet of unsweetened plain curds (dahi)
2 to 3 medium onions , chopped
3 bayleaves (tejpatta)
4 to 5 pods of cardamom (elaichi)
5 to 6 cloves (laung / lavang)
6 to 8 cloves of garlic (lehsun) , crushed
3 tsp crushed ginger (adrak)
1 tbsp chilli powder (1 tbsp sambal olek (thai chilli paste) is a good substitute)
1 tbsp turmeric powder (haldi)
1 tbsp coriander (dhania) powder
1 tbsp cumin seeds (jeera) powder
2 medium tomatoes , chopped
1 bunch of fresh coriander (dhania) leaves
1 tbsp garam masala
salt to taste
2 tsp oil
2 bunches of fresh spinach (palak) - blanched and pureeded with water from the steamer
use either the tomatoes orthe youghurt, but not both

Method

1. marinate the chicken in the yoghurt with half the ginger/ garlic paste, a quarter of the onions and a quarter of all the spices for about an hour.
2. then heat up a reasonable amount of oil on a medium flame (you get to decide what "reasonable" is) and add the bay leaves - whole or broken up, and the cloves and cardamom.
3. when they darken add the remaining onions and saute for a while. when they begin to change color, add the remaining ginger and garlic.
4. saute till the onions are almost a dark golden brown, and add all the remaining spices and salt.
5. saute all this for a while, but be careful not to burn the spices - if you do, add some sugar.
6. next add the chicken with all the marinade and turn the flame to high.
7. fry till all the water evaporates and fat begins coming to the surface.
8. add the tomatoes and wait for them to cook.
9. add the liquidized spinach as much. depending on the thickness/quantity of the gravy, you might or might not want to add a little water along with the spinach.
10 lower the flame and simmer till the chicken is cooked to the desired tenderness.
11. add garam masala and heat through for one minute before turning off the flame.