Chinese Style Chicken Stir Fry

          This is a very easy, simple and a quick recipe that can be dished out in a jiffy. It is healthy and nutritious as it has the goodness of vegetables and chicken which is a lean meat. Minimum of spices goes into it, yet there is no compromise in the taste and flavour. It is light on the tummy and goes very well either with fried rice, plain steamed rice or noodles. 

• 1 chicken breast, cubed
• 1 capsicum, cubed
• 1 carrot, cubed
• 1 onion, cubed
• 1 tbsp. oil
• 2 pinches of pepper powder
• 2 pinches of garlic powder
• salt to taste
• 1 tsp. corn flour
• 1 tsp. spring onion, chopped
• 1 tsp. coriander leaves, chopped

          Marinate the chicken with a pinch of salt for 10 minutes. Mix the corn flour in 1/4 cup water and keep aside. 

          Heat oil in a pan and stir fry the chicken for 2-3 minutes. Add the veggies, pepper powder and garlic powder. Stir fry for a minute. 

          Add 1 cup water and salt. Bring it to a boil. Cover and simmer for 1-2 minutes. Add the corn flour slurry and stir till the sauce turns slightly thick. 

          Switch off the flame and transfer to a serving dish. Garnish with spring onion and coriander leaves. Serve with hot steamed rice or fried rice.

Kulfa Saag Chicken - Hyderabadi / Telangana Style

          The combination of both kulfa greens and chicken makes for a very delicious dish that can be relished with kulcha, naan, tandoori roti, plain khushka biryani or jeera rice. Kulfa saag is similar to methi (fenugreek) leaves and is slightly sour in taste. 

          There are many traditional Hyderabadi recipes prepared with Kulfa saag, combined with lentils, onion, tomatoes or mutton. So today I decided to try out with chicken and the end product turned out really yummy. So check out the step by step pictorial recipe to prepare it.

• 600 gms. chicken on bones, curry cut
• 2-3 bunches of kulfa (purslane leaves), chopped
• 3 tbsp. oil
• 1/2 tsp. cumin seeds
• 1/2 tsp. mustard seeds
• 1/4 tsp. asafoetida
• 2 onions, chopped
• 1-2 sprigs curry leaves
• 1 tbsp. ginger-garlic paste
• 1 tomato, chopped 
• salt to taste
• 1/2 tsp. turmeric powder
• 2 tbsp. red chili powder or to taste
• 4-5 fresh red chilies

          Heat 1 & 1/2 tbsp. oil and fry the chicken till light golden in colour. Drain and keep aside. Heat remaining oil and temper with mustard seeds and cumin seeds.

          After it stops spluttering, add the asafoetida, followed by the onions and curry leaves. Fry till light brown. Add the ginger-garlic paste and sauté for a few seconds more.

          Now add the tomatoes, salt to taste, turmeric powder and red chili powder. Stir fry till it is mashed. Then add the greens, chilies and the fried chicken.

          Mix everything well and continue to cook, covered on a low flame. Keep stirring at intervals and sprinkle some water if necessary. 

          When the chicken turns soft, switch off the flame and serve with naan, kulcha, tandoori roti, plain Biryani, jeera rice or pulao.

                                  Pick only the leaves & tender twigs. Wash well & drain.

                   Heat 1 & 1/2 tbsp. oil & fry chicken till light golden in colour. Keep aside. 

             Heat remaining oil & temper with mustard seeds and cumin seeds. Then add 
             asafoetida, followed by the onions & curry leaves. Fry till light brown. 

                                  Add ginger-garlic paste & sauté for a few seconds more.

                    Add tomatoes, salt, turmeric powder & red chili powder. Sauté till mashed. 

                                  Then add the greens, chilies & fried chicken.

                         Mix well & continue to cook, covered on a low flame. Keep stirring
                         at intervals & sprinkle some water if necessary. 

               When the chicken turns soft, switch off the flame & serve with naan, kulcha, 

               tandoori roti, plain Biryani, jeera rice or pulao.