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Sangeetha

Chicken-Kozhi Kumbalanga Curry Recipe

Chicken-Kozhi Kumbalanga Curry(Chicken with Ash Gourd) is another specialty of the Thrissur cuisine.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 4 -6
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: Indian, Kerala
Calories:

Ingredients
  

  • To Marinate :
  • Chicken with bones :1.1 lb /1/2 kg (cut into medium-sized
  • Chicken Masala Powder : 1 tbsp I used skathi chicken masala (refer notes)
  • To Dry Roast :
  • Whole Coriander Seeds : 21/2 tsp
  • Dry Red Chilli : 5-6 or to your tolerances level
  • Turmeric Powder : couple of pinches
  • To Fry and Grind :
  • Cloves : 2
  • Cardamom : 2
  • Star Anise : little
  • Bay Leaves : 1
  • Cinnamom : 1/2' piece
  • Fennel seeds : 1 tsp
  • Poppy seeds : 1/2 tsp
  • Black Pepper : 1/4 tsp
  • Small Red Onion /Shallots : 4-5
  • Garlic : 2-3 cloves
  • Ginger : 1 small piece
  • Green Chilly : 1-2
  • Grated Coconut : 21/2 tbsp
  • Coconut Oil : 1 tsp
  • For Gravy/Curry :
  • Ash gourd/Kumbalanga : 1.1lb/1/2 kg
  • Turmeric Powder : 1/4 tsp
  • Salt to taste
  • Onion : 1 medium thinly sliced
  • Curry Leaves : 1 sprig
  • Thin Coconut Milk - 3rd extract /Moonampaal : 1 cup
  • Semi Thick Coconut milk - 2nd extract /Randampaal : 3/4 cup
  • Thick Coconut milk - 1st extract/Onnampaal : 1/4 cup
  • For Tempering :
  • Coconut Oil : 1 tbsp
  • Small Red Onion /Shallots : 6-8 finely sliced
  • Dry Red Chillies : 2-3
  • Curry Leaves : 1 sprig
  • Kashmiri Chilly powder : Couple of pinches

Method
 

  1. Marinate the chicken pieces with chicken masala for 20 to 30 minutes and set it aside.
  2. Peel and chop the kumbalanga/ashgourd into medium long pieces.
  3. Add turmeric powder and salt to taste to the ash gourd; boil and keep it aside.(Note : Care should be taken to see that the ash gourd is not overcooked.)
  4. Meantime in a small frying pan; dry roast the ingredients listed above "To Dry Roast"; transfer and grind it to smooth powder.Set it aside.
  5. In the same pan with 1 tsp coconut oil and add all spice ingredients except grated coconut, listed above "To fry and Grind"; transfer and grind it along with grated coconut to smooth paste and keep it aside.
  6. Heat a pan (preferably in 'Kalchatti' an earthen pot); add sprig of curry leaves, the ground spice powders and the marinated chicken pieces; combine well. Add thin coconut milk,salt to taste and cook it for 10 to 15 mins or until chicken is 3/4th cooked..
  7. When the chicken is done; add the semi thick coconut milk - 2nd extract /randampaal along with sliced onions and boiled ash gourd; mix everything well and cook it for 10 more mins.
  8. Now add the ground coconut mixture and adjust the salt; allow to boil well.
  9. Add thick coconut milk - 1st extract /onnampaal and remove from fire just before boiling.
  10. In a small frying pan; heat coconut oil and saute finely sliced shallots, curry leaves,dry red chillies. When done add chilly powder saute and saute till it turns to light brown (Note : Make sure not to burn the spices.)and add to the curry...Serve with piping hot plain boiled rice or with Appam, Puttu and Enjoy!

Notes

Marinating chicken is purely optional, I personally prefer marinating the poultry /meat, cause makes it more juicy and flavorful.
Keep this curry closed for at least 10-20 minutes before serving, so that the gravy absorbs all flavors.
The taste of the curry depends the quality of the coconut milk. I prefer using fresh squeezed coconut milk.
Using freshly ground spice powders and coconut oil enhance the authentic taste and flavor.