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Chicken Vindaloo is one spicy dish from coastal India, especially the state of Goa.
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This Portuguese-inspired dish takes complexity to its tasteful sense of tanginess and is always a favourite among spice lovers.
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Let's try cooking this mouth-watering curry.
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First, you will have to prepare the spice paste that essentially gives the character of the dish.
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In a dry pan toast 1/2 tablespoon coriander seeds, 1 teaspoon cumin seeds, and 10 black peppercorns over medium heat until they are fragrant.
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They don't even compare to their strengths before this process, as their flavours increase multifold.
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If you are using ground spices you can just mix them in a bowl. Add 2 inches of cinnamon stick, 4 whole cloves, and 2 green cardamom pods if you like.
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Or don't feel like fiddling with whole spices? Then by all means use ground spice: 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon, 2 pinches ground cloves, and 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cardamom.
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And, lastly, add 1/2 teaspoon of mustard seeds and 20 dried red chilies or 1 tablespoon of Indian chili powder to give it a fiery taste.
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When the spices are ready, add 3 tablespoons of vinegar-malt, Goan, or red wine vinegar works best. Then, add 10 garlic cloves and 11/2 inches of ginger, finely grated or minced. Pur e this mixture until it makes a smooth paste.
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The acidity helps soften the chicken while making the dish more tender and flavourful.
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Prepare the Chicken: Use 2 lbs.
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Eight hundred gms to one kilogram of bone-in chicken, which adds intensity to the dish, or 1.5 pounds of boneless chicken instead.
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Mix in a large bowl the chicken with 1/2 teaspoon of turmeric and 3¼ to 1 teaspoon of salt. I used ⅓ teaspoon of pink salt.
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Let it marinate in the spice paste for at least an hour, even overnight if you can. Heat 3 tablespoons of oil in a heavy-bottomed pot.
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Coconut oil is especially suitable for this dish with its unique flavour: Once hot, put in the marinated chicken and sear it until brown on both sides.
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It helps seal the juices in the dish while it also gives a deep colour towards the end of the dish.
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You can also add 2 finely chopped onions into the pot at this stage, saut ing until they become translucent and even golden.
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An added layer of flavour could include 2 pureed tomatoes. Add now 1 tablespoon of vinegar and 1 teaspoon of sugar which will balance the acidity of the dish. Indeed, the sweet-sour contrast characteristic of Vindaloo always enhances the entire taste profile of the dish.
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Mix all these, and then the sugar dissolves.
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It's time to add the water. You can use 1 1/2 to 1 1/2 cups of hot water, depending on how saucy you want your curry to be. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer. Put the lid on the pot and cook for about 30-40 minutes, or until the chicken tenderly cooks through.
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Stir occasionally to prevent sticking and even cooking.
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Once the chicken is cooked and the flavours are melded together, taste and adjust the seasoning if needed. If you want it spicier, you can always add more chili powder.
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Serve this Chicken Vindaloo hot, with lots of steamed rice or fresh naan.
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The aromatic spice will draw you into its absolute essence and flavour. Let go of the richest tapestry of flavours that make the recipe of Chicken Vindaloo a timeless classic!