Nepali Chicken Tarkari Food

CHICKEN TARKARI

Steps:

• In a large bowl, season chicken pieces with salt and pepper.
• Heat oil and brown chicken.
• Reserve brown chicken in a plate.
• Drain excess oil.
• In a non-stick sauce pan, heat oil.
• To the hot oil, add whole red chilies and bay leaf; fry for 30 sec.
• Add turmeric and chopped onion, and fry until brown.
• Put garlic and ginger into the onion mixture; fry for 30 sec.
• To this mixture, add cumin powder, curry powder, chili powder, bruised cardamom, salt and pepper; mix well for a minute or so.
• Transfer browned chicken pieces and chopped tomatoes into the spice mixture; stir well.
• Add broth to the chicken mixture; set heat to low and let simmer until chicken pieces are tender, and the sauce has thickened up to a desired consistency, about 35-45 minute.
• When cooked, turn off the heat and add chopped cilantro to garnish.
• Serve hot with rice and roti (flat bread).

NEPALI CHICKEN TARKARI (CHICKEN CURRY)

Steps:

• Mix turmeric with a pinch of salt and black pepper.
• Cut the chicken into chunks.
• Rub the chicken with the turmeric mix and let marinate in the fridge for 30 minutes to 1h.
• Heat the mustard and fenugreek seeds, on low heat, in a small skillet until crackled. Be careful to not burn the spices. Grind the spices together.
• Heat a large tablespoon of olive oil in a pan or a casserole over medium heat.
• Add the onion and cook for 5 minutes.
• Add the mustard and fenugreek mix, garlic, ginger, cumin, chilies, bay leave and cook for 2 minutes.
• Add the chicken and cook for 8 minutes.
• Add the stock and tomato, a pinch of salt and cook for 30 minutes on low heat.
• Top with cilantro and serve with rice.

ROYAL CHICKEN TARKARI

Steps:

• Grind garlic, ginger, fresh red chilies, curry powder, nutmeg, timur, cardamom and almonds with water into a paste.
• In a large bowl, season chicken pieces with salt and pepper.
• Heat oil and brown chicken in a sauce pan.
• Reserve browned chicken in a bowl.
• Drain oil and clean the pan, heat butter.
• Add turmeric, chopped onion and sauté till brown.
• Transfer the almond paste to the onion mixture.
• Stir for a few minutes till the oil starts to separate from the mixture.
• Turn down heat to low; add cream, broth, salt and pepper; mix well and cook until a consistent mixture is achieved.
• Transfer browned chicken to the almond sauce.
• Cook on low heat till chicken is tender and the almond sauce has thickened.
• Garnish with chopped cilantro.
• Serve with rice or roti (flat bread).

CHICKEN SEKUWA (CLASSIC NEPALI CHICKEN SKEWERS)

Steps:

• In a blender, process all marinating ingredients into a smooth paste.
• Marinate chicken cubes in marinade for overnight in the refrigerator.
• Pat dry marinated chicken pieces and thread on with soaked bamboo skewers.
• Grill to the desired doneness, frequently turning and basting with the melted butter.
• Serve hot with rice pilaf and stir-fried vegetables, accompanied by tomato achar.

MANGO CHICKEN TARKARI

Steps:

• In a non-stick sauté pan, heat two tablespoons of butter.
• Fry the black pepper corns for 30 sec.
• Add turmeric and onion and sauté until translucent.
• Add garlic, ginger and cumin powder; stir well for a minute or so.
• Put the mango chunks into the onion mixture; mix well and sauté for five minutes to allow sweating of the mango.
• Add chili paste, salt and pepper; stir thoroughly for the complete incorporation of the ingredients.
• Allow the mango mixture to simmer for another 10 minutes or so.
• Reduce the mixture by half.
• Remove from heat and transfer to a blender for pureeing.
• Puree the mango mixture into a mango sauce.
• In a large bowl, season chicken pieces with lemon juice, salt and pepper.
• In a non-stick sauce pan, heat two tablespoons of butter.
• Add chicken mixture and brown well over medium heat for 8-10 minutes until the chicken pieces are almost done.
• To the browned chicken add pureed mango mixture and stir well to coat all the pieces of chicken.
• Lower the heat and allow braising for 10-15 minutes until the chicken pieces are tender and the curry has attained a thick, saucy consistency.
• Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
• Garnish with a tablespoon of chopped cilantro.
• Serve with rice and roti (flat bread).