Daasi Dishes: Appetizer: Chicken 65

My Swami loves this great appetizer. It is easy to prepare and has a nice kick to it. Named after the year (1965) the dish was introduced at a famous South Indian restaurant.

Ingredients

Chicken - 1 pound

Marinade
3 table spoon - Fresh squeezed lemon juice
1.5 teaspoon Salt
1 teaspoon Red chilli powder
1 teaspoon Coriander powder
1/2 teaspoon Turmeric powder
1/2 teaspoon Red food color (Optional)
5 tablespoon Olive Oil
1 teaspoon Mustard Seeds
2 dried Red Chilies
6 Curry leaves
3 cut green chilies
5 tablespoon Tomato Ketchup

Recipe

1. Cut the chicken into bite sized pieces
2. In a mixing bowl, mix 3 tbsp of fresh lemon juice and salt. 
3. Add the chicken pieces and marinate for 15 mins.Make sure the lemon juice coats the chicken well.
4. To this, add 1 teaspoon red chili powder, 1 teaspoon coriander powder, half teaspoon turmeric and the food color if you are using it
5. Mix well and allow to marinate in refrigerator for 4 hours. If you are really rushed, at least do this for 30 mins
6. Transfer the above to a large microwave safe dish, cover and microwave on high for 5 mins till chicken is almost fully cooked.
7. Remove from the microwave keep only the semi cooked chicken, drain & discard the liquid.
8. In a small frying pan, heat 3 tablespoon of olive oil. 
9. When the oil is hot, add 1 teaspoon of mustard seeds and cover the pan with a lid. 
10. Allow the mustard seeds to splutter. 
11. Add 2 dried red chilies and fry for a minute.
12. Turn the heat to low and add 6 curry leaves and cover the pan again. 
13. Once the leaves are well fried and almost dry, remove and keep the tempering aside.
14. In a separate large frying pan, heat 2 tablespoon light olive oil and add the microwaved chicken pieces. 
15. Shallow fry for 5 mins.
16. When the chicken is almost done, add 3 cut green chilies to the pan and continue frying for 1- 2 minutes till done.
17. Add 5 tablespoons of tomato ketchup to the pan directly so that it coats the chicken. 
18. Continue frying till the chicken is coated with a fluffy layer of ketchup.
19. Add the ingredients from the other pan to the main pan and mix well. 
20. Continue to fry for 1 - 2 mins till all ingredients are mixed well and the chicken is moist but well cooked. Garnish with Cilantro and serve!