CHICKEN PASANDA (INDIAN)

Steps:

• Heat the ghee in a large heavy pan then add the chopped onion and stir for a few minutes with the heat on high.
• Add the cinnamon and cardamons, stir a little then turn the heat down to low and cook for 5 minutes.
• Add the ginger and garlic, stir and cook for another 5 minutes on low heat stirring now and again to make sure nothing browns or burns.
• Add the turmeric, coriander and chili powder and fry gently for a minute.
• Add 1 tablespoon of yoghurt, stir round and turn the heat up so the yoghurt sizzles in the oil (don't worry, it won't split if you've used full cream yoghurt).
• When the yoghurt has lost a lot of it's moisture add another tablespoon. Stir and fry as before.
• Repeat until all the yoghurt is incorporated.
• Add the tomato purée and stir.
• Stir in hot water - enough to make the mixture very fluid.
• Bring to the boil and simmer, stirring occasionally for 5-10 minutes.
• Add salt to taste.
• While the sauce is cooking, heat a frying pan at low to moderate then add the flaked almonds. Move the almonds around the pan so they don't burn and heat until they have just taken on a brown colour. Remove from pan and blend in a mixi with a little water to make paste.
• Heat a little oil in a separate frying pan and stir-fry the chicken pieces over a moderate heat until they are sealed and have turned whitish.
• Add almond paste to the sauce and stir. Then add the chicken & simmer gently for another 20-30 minutes or until the chicken is cooked and soft. Stir from time to time. If the sauce gets too dry add a little hot water.
• At the end of the cooking you should have a fairly thick, creamy sauce with little patches of oil appearing at the top. Remove the cinnamon and cardamons (if you can find them!).
• Serve, garnished with chopped fresh coriander (cilantro) leaves.