A fiery and crispy deep-fried chicken appetizer from South India. Bite-sized chicken pieces are marinated in a blend of spices, yogurt, and flours, then fried to perfection and tossed in a fragrant tempering of curry leaves and green chilies.
Prep20 min
Cook20 min
Soak30 min
Servings4
Serving size: 1 serving
383cal
33gprotein
17gcarbs
Ingredients
500 g Boneless Chicken (Cut into 1-inch cubes, thigh meat recommended)
1.5 tbsp Ginger Garlic Paste
3 tbsp Curd (Whisked until smooth, preferably thick curd)
1 tbsp Lemon Juice
1.5 tsp Kashmiri Red Chili Powder (For color and mild heat)
A comforting South Indian classic made with soft cooked rice, creamy yogurt, and a savory tempering of spices. Perfect for a light lunch or as a cooling side dish, it's simple, delicious, and great for digestion.
A classic North Indian condiment, 'Aam ka Achar' is made with raw, tangy mangoes, a robust blend of aromatic spices, and pungent mustard oil. This traditional sun-cured pickle is the perfect spicy and sour accompaniment to any meal, from dal-rice to stuffed parathas.
Crispy, protein-packed Chicken 65 with creamy, gut-friendly curd rice. A soul-satisfying combo!
This south_indian dish is perfect for dinner. With 781.0999999999999 calories and 41.74g of protein per serving, it's a nutritious choice for your meal plan.
21gfat
Corn Flour
2 tbsp Rice Flour (For extra crispiness)
1 pcs Egg White (Optional, for binding)
0.125 tsp Red Food Color (Optional, for classic vibrant red color)
2 cup Oil (For deep frying)
4 cloves Garlic (Finely chopped)
4 pcs Green Chilies (Slit lengthwise)
15 pcs Curry Leaves (From one sprig)
Instructions
1
Prepare the Chicken Marinade
In a large mixing bowl, combine the chicken cubes, ginger garlic paste, whisked curd, lemon juice, Kashmiri red chili powder, garam masala, turmeric powder, black pepper, and salt.
Add the corn flour, rice flour, and egg white (if using). For the classic vibrant color, add the red food color.
Mix thoroughly until every piece of chicken is evenly coated with the marinade.
Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. For best results and deeper flavor, marinate for 2-4 hours.
2
Deep Fry the Chicken
Heat oil for deep frying in a heavy-bottomed pan or kadai over medium-high heat until it reaches approximately 175°C (350°F).
Carefully place the marinated chicken pieces into the hot oil one by one, ensuring not to overcrowd the pan. Fry in 2-3 batches to maintain the oil temperature.
Fry for about 5-7 minutes, turning occasionally, until the chicken is golden brown, crispy, and cooked through.
Using a slotted spoon, remove the fried chicken and place it on a wire rack or a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess oil.
3
Temper and Finish the Dish
In a separate small pan or wok, heat 1 tbsp of oil over medium heat.
Add the finely chopped garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until it becomes fragrant.
Add the slit green chilies and fresh curry leaves. Stand back as they will splutter. Sauté for another 30-45 seconds until the curry leaves turn crisp.
Add the fried chicken pieces to the pan and toss everything together for 1-2 minutes, ensuring the chicken is well-coated with the aromatic tempering.
Turn off the heat.
4
Serve
Transfer the Chicken 65 to a serving platter.
Garnish with fresh onion rings and lemon wedges on the side.
Serve immediately while it's hot and crispy.
318cal
9gprotein
45gcarbs
12gfat
Ingredients
1 cup Sona Masuri Rice (Or any short-grain rice)
3 cup Water (For cooking the rice)
1.5 cup Curd (Thick, plain yogurt, preferably full-fat for creaminess)
0.5 cup Milk (Boiled and cooled to room temperature)
1 tsp Salt (Adjust to taste)
2 tbsp Gingelly Oil (Sesame oil, or any neutral vegetable oil)
1 tsp Mustard Seeds
1 tsp Urad Dal (Split black gram)
1 tsp Chana Dal (Split chickpeas)
0.25 tsp Hing (Asafoetida)
2 pcs Green Chilli (Slit lengthwise)
1 inch Ginger (Finely grated)
10 pcs Curry Leaves
2 tbsp Coriander Leaves (Freshly chopped, for garnish)
0.25 cup Pomegranate Arils (Optional, for garnish)
Instructions
1
Cook the rice until very soft. This takes about 15-20 minutes.
Wash 1 cup of rice thoroughly under running water until the water runs clear.
In a pressure cooker, combine the rice with 3 cups of water. Cook for 4-5 whistles on medium heat.
Alternatively, cook the rice in a pot on the stovetop with the same amount of water until it is very soft and mushy.
Once cooked, transfer the rice to a large mixing bowl. Allow it to cool down to room temperature for about 10-15 minutes.
Using the back of a ladle or a potato masher, gently mash the cooled rice. This step is crucial for achieving the classic creamy texture.
2
Prepare the curd and rice mixture. This takes about 2 minutes.
To the mashed, cooled rice, add 1.5 cups of curd, 0.5 cup of milk, and 1 tsp of salt.
Mix everything together thoroughly until you have a smooth, creamy, and uniform consistency. The milk helps balance the sourness of the curd and keeps the dish fresh longer.
3
Prepare the tempering (tadka). This takes about 3 minutes.
Heat 2 tbsp of gingelly oil in a small pan (tadka pan) over medium heat.
1 kg Raw Mangoes (Use a firm, sour, pickling variety like Ramkela or Rajapuri)
2 cup Mustard Oil (To be heated to smoking point and then cooled completely)
0.75 cup Salt (Use non-iodized or sea salt for best results)
5 tbsp Red Chili Powder (Adjust to your spice preference)
2 tbsp Turmeric Powder
4 tbsp Fennel Seeds (Also known as Saunf)
4 tbsp Split Mustard Seeds (Also known as Rai ki Dal)
2 tbsp Fenugreek Seeds (Also known as Methi Dana)
2 tsp Nigella Seeds (Also known as Kalonji)
1 tsp Asafoetida (Also known as Hing)
Instructions
1
Prepare the Mangoes (Day 1)
Wash the raw mangoes thoroughly. Wipe them completely dry with a clean kitchen towel. It is critical that there is no moisture.
Cut the mangoes into 1-inch cubes, discarding the inner stone but keeping the peel on.
Place the mango pieces in a large, dry glass or ceramic bowl. Add 1/2 cup of the salt and all the turmeric powder.
Mix well to coat every piece. Cover the bowl with a cloth or a loose lid and let it sit at room temperature for 24 hours. The mangoes will release a significant amount of water.
2
Dry the Mangoes (Day 2)
After 24 hours, drain all the water released by the mangoes. You can discard this brine.
Spread the mango pieces in a single layer on a clean cloth or a large tray.
Let them dry under a fan or in a shady, well-ventilated area for 4-5 hours until the surface moisture has evaporated. They should feel dry to the touch but not hard.
3
Prepare the Spice Mix and Oil
While the mangoes are drying, gently dry roast the fennel seeds and fenugreek seeds in a pan on low heat for 1-2 minutes until fragrant. Let them cool completely.
Once the oil is hot, add 1 tsp of mustard seeds and let them splutter completely.
Add 1 tsp of urad dal and 1 tsp of chana dal. Sauté for about 30-45 seconds, stirring continuously, until they turn a light golden brown.
Reduce the heat to low, then add 1/4 tsp hing, the slit green chilies, grated ginger, and curry leaves. Sauté for another 30 seconds until the curry leaves turn crisp and the mixture is fragrant.
4
Combine, garnish, and serve. This takes about 2 minutes.
Immediately pour the hot tempering over the prepared curd rice mixture.
Mix well to ensure the flavors of the tempering are evenly distributed.
Garnish with 2 tbsp of freshly chopped coriander leaves and 1/4 cup of pomegranate arils (if using).
Serve immediately at room temperature or chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes for a more refreshing experience.
Grind the roasted seeds along with the split mustard seeds into a coarse powder using a spice grinder or mortar and pestle.
In a large, dry mixing bowl, combine this coarsely ground spice mix, red chili powder, nigella seeds, asafoetida, and the remaining 1/4 cup of salt.
In a separate pan, heat the mustard oil until it reaches its smoking point (you'll see faint white fumes). Turn off the heat and let it cool down completely to room temperature. This step is crucial to mellow the oil's raw pungency.
4
Combine and Bottle the Pickle
Add the dried mango pieces to the bowl containing the spice mix. Toss well until each piece is thoroughly coated.
Pour about 1.5 cups of the completely cooled mustard oil over the mango-spice mixture. Mix everything thoroughly with a clean, dry spoon.
Carefully transfer the pickle into a sterilized, completely dry glass or ceramic jar (a 'barnī'). Pack it down gently to remove air pockets.
5
Mature the Pickle (7-10 Days)
Cover the mouth of the jar with a clean piece of muslin cloth and secure it with a string. This allows moisture to escape while keeping dust out.
Place the jar in direct sunlight for 7 to 10 days. Shake the jar gently or stir with a dry spoon once every day to redistribute the oil and spices.
After 3-4 days, the mango pieces will have softened and settled. Pour the remaining 0.5 cup of cooled mustard oil over the top to create a protective layer that submerges the mangoes.
After the sunning period, the mangoes will have softened and absorbed the flavors. The pickle is now ready. Replace the muslin cloth with an airtight lid and store in a cool, dry place. It can last for over a year.
