Authentic Mughlai cuisines,Nawabi cuisines or foods from the top-notch restaurants are always exquisite because of it's history,because of it's brand name and because of it's one of a kind dishes .However , not everyone can afford or enjoy it often.And then there are foods from the ordinary roadside restaurants especially on highways ,and popularly known as "Dhaba" (In India) or in my mother tongue,Malayalam,"Thattukadas" ,which serve local cuisines in a simple home style way.
Though the ambiance can be tad disappointing comparatively- in the sense,the dhabas came into existence as a "truck stop shop" for the truck drivers who took a break after their long journey to refresh and re-energize for the further trip .So,dhabas look nothing more than a shed/a little building ,where foods are typically prepared by a bunch of family members especially from Punjabs (in North India), served in an open air space,Bollywood music playing in the background,and customers in long queues or sitting on "Charpaais" ( a small day bed type knitted with jute strings ) or rustic iron made tables or plastic chairs.
The food is usually served in a big brass thali/plate with bowls full of blobs of curry ,drinks like milk,Lassis in a long glass or teas,coffes in little glass.Though the foods are not considered that hygienic there ,whatever foods are served are wholesome,with rustic spicy flavors and at a very affordable rate that one can have as much as they want and one certainly can't stop eating as well.Moreover, there are no etiquette to follow here,like a true desi/Indian,no spoons no forks ,just using hands without any hesitation.A burp free ,carefree atmosphere in short .
Right from a meager laborer to hi-fi businessmen ,diplomats to celebrities - don't shy away from enjoying the simple flavorful dhaba edible treasures .SO,do I !!:D...I LOVE DHABBA/THATTUKADA FOODS !!
.For me they serve foods made dil se !.....Though my parents were very reluctant during my childhood days to buy me and my bro ,roadside foods ,after marrying ,that's what I love to eat and want to do the most ,whenever I would visit India...Wo baat aur kaha !!;)....My hubby is also a big fan of dhaba foods ....(Thank God !! am in Good hands;D )
Usually, Dhaba foods are vegetarians only or a mix of vegetarian plus non-vegetarian .However, they are most popular for spicy non vegetarian foods with a kick yet homely .
One such is the recipe of the day ," PuranSingh Chicken Curry" .Unfortunately, never got a chance to taste it in a dhaba in person but the celebrity chef of India ,Mr.Sanjeev Kapoor has a solution for it seems.He has the key to this famous dhaba's recipe by the owner "PuranSingh" ;D. And I love collecting & recreating/preparing dhaba foods.So,recipe of the day is adapted from his show/website.
Once again,I am impressed !!;)
PuranSingh Chicken curry
Inspired by Sanjeev Kapoor's
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Ingredients
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Chicken cut into small pieces on the bone
800 grams
Oil
2-3 tablespoons
Cumin seeds
1 teaspoon
Green chillies slit
2-3
Cinnamon
1 inch sti
Onions finely chopped
3 cloves
Tomatoes pureed
2-3
Turmeric powder
1/4 teaspoon
Red chilli powder
2 teaspoons
Salt
to taste
Black cardamoms
4-5
Bay leaves
3
Cloves
2-3
Ginger-garlic paste
1 tablespoon
Coriander powder
1 tablespoon
Fresh coriander leaves
a few for garnish
Chicken cut into small pieces on the bone
800 grams
Oil
2-3 tablespoons
Cumin seeds
1 teaspoon
Green chillies slit
2-3
Cinnamon
1 inch sti
Onions finely chopped
3 cloves
Tomatoes pureed
2-3
Turmeric powder
1/4 teaspoon
Red chilli powder
2 teaspoons
Salt
to taste
Black cardamoms
4-5
Bay leaves
3
Cloves
2-3
Ginger-garlic paste
1 tablespoon
Coriander powder
1 tablespoon
Fresh coriander leaves
a few for garnish
Oil - 2-3 Tablespoons
Cumin seeds - 1 teaspoons
Bay leaves - 3 nos.
Cinnamom - 1 inch stick
Black Cardamoms - 4-5 nos.
Cloves - 2-3 nos.
Onion,medium,chopped- 3 nos.
Green chillies ,slit - 2-3 nos.
Tomatoes, pureed - 2-3 nos.
Ginger-Garlic paste - 1 tablespoon
Turmeric powder - 1/4 teaspoon
Red chilly powder - 2 teaspoons
Coriander powders - 1 tablespoons
Salt to taste
Water - 1 liter
Fresh coriander leaves ,to garnish- a few
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Method
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- Heat the oil in a non-stick pan. Add bay leaves, cinnamon, black cardamom cloves, cumin seeds and sauté till fragrant. Add onions and sauté lightly. Switch off the heat. - See more at: http://www.sanjeevkapoor.com/Recipe/Puransingh-Chicken-Curry-Turban-Tadka-FoodFood.html#sthash.GeDb6q4Q.dpufHeat little oil in a pan and add cumin seeds,cinnamon,cardamom,cloves and bay leaves and saute till fragrant.
- Add onions and green chillies and saute for a while.Switch of the heat.
- Transfer this mixture into a mixer jar and grind it into fine paste using little water.
- Heat the remaining oil,add the above ground paste to it and saute with the tomato puree.
- Add the ginger-garlic paste,saute,stirring continuously on low heat.
- Add turmeric powder,red chilly powder and coriander powder and saute for a while on low heat.
- Now,add the chicken pieces and saute for 3-4 minutes.
- Add salt and mix well.
- Add water,cover and cook for 10-12 minutes.
- Garnish with coriander leaves and Serve hot with naan,rotis,kulchas or plain rice or any pilaf.
Do you love dhaba foods ? If you don't know or want to know more about it .Do watch the movie ,"Luv Shuv Tey Chicken Khurana"-A delectable dhaba oriented comedy movie !! :)
Chak de phatte,
Eat,love,live deliciously,
