1 cup (230 grams)plain yogurt (whisked or use Greek)
2 tablespoons (30 ml)lemon juice(cut down if your yogurt is sour)
¾ tablespoongarlic paste(or 1 tbsp fine grated)
¾ tablespoonginger paste(or 1 tbsp fine grated)
2 to 4green chilies slit (optional or use ⅓ tsp crushed black pepper)
¼ cup pudina/ mint leaves fine chopped
¼cupcoriander leaves (fine chopped)
Whole Spices (may sub with ½ tsp garam masala)
½ to ¾teaspoonshahi jeera(Indian caraway seeds)
8green cardamoms(divided, add half to make the nut paste)
4cloves
2inchcinnamon piece
1star aniseoptional
For nut paste (or 2½ tbsps. almond butter)
¼ cup (40 grams)almonds(soaked overnight or use half/half almond/ cashew)
2tablespoonsshredded coconut(dried coconut)
¼ cup (60 ml)milkor water to grind
Instructions
Heat ghee in a wide pot. Fry the onions on a medium heat, stirring constantly for 12 to 13 mins, until golden & caramelized but not burnt. You may also fry them in 2 batches, each for 9 to 10 mins.
Turn off and reserve 2 tablespoons each - ghee and fried onions aside, retaining the rest in the pot. Add all the whole spices - shahi jeera, cardamoms, cloves, cinnamon, star anise to the hot pan. Cool down the pot.
Meanwhile, prep up the other ingredients and blend drained soaked nuts, coconut and half of the cardamoms with milk/water to a smooth or slightly coarse paste.
Add chili powder, turmeric, garam masala, coriander powder, cumin powder, salt, ginger garlic paste, green chili, yogurt, lemon juice, mint, coriander leaves and the nut paste.
Mix well & taste test the marinade to adjust salt & spice levels. Add the chicken and marinate for 30 mins. Turn on the stove and saute marinated chicken on a medium high heat for 7 to 8 mins. Pour ½ cup hot water and mix well.
Turn down the heat to low. Cover with a foil and a heavy lid. Cook on a very low heat for 25 mins. Mix well and cook for another 20 mins.
Layer the reserved fried onions and ghee. Cover back and raise the heat to medium and cook for 5 mins.
Let rest for another 30 mins, before opening. Garnish with coriander leaves. Serve dum ka chicken with tandoori roti, kulcha, plain paratha, naan or with bagara rice, saffron rice or turmeric rice.