Coorgi Style Chicken Masala

 My recent visit to Coorg or the Kodagu district was an experience of its kind, as we stayed with the locals at a home stay amidst the coffee and pepper plantations… we enjoyed the uniqueness of the lush green wild nature and the distinctive cuisine to the fullest. Kodava or the Coorgi cuisine enjoys using fresh and local ingredients found in the region… like Kachampuli, the local vinegar extracted from the Garcinia Cambogia fruit, pepper - spices, bamboo shoots, pork - wild boar etc. 

The home stay owners were kind enough and allowed me to pluck some fresh pepper from their plantation… I also managed to get Coorgi Masala (kartha Masala) and Kachampuli… 

Using all the Coorgi ingredients, I have made Coorgi style Chicken Masala, here is the recipe -  

I have used big leg pieces, but we can also use medium size chicken pieces.. 

To marinate the Chicken 

Ingredients 

2 Big leg pieces 

Salt to taste 

1/2 tsp Turmeric powder 

1/2 tsp Chilli powder 

1 tbsp Coorgi Curry Masala (Kartha Masala) 

1 tsp Kachampuli Vinegar 

Method 

Mix all the above ingredients together and keep the marinated chicken for 2 to 3 hours. 

For the Wet Paste 

Ingredients 

2 small Onion chopped 

6 to 8 Garlic cloves 

1 small piece of Ginger

3 to 4 Green Chillies 

1 Handful Coriander leaves 

1/2 tsp Cumin seeds 

Method 

Grind all the above ingredients into coarse paste 

To make the Coorgi Chicken Masala 

Ingredients 

Marinated Chicken 

Wet paste 

Few Curry leaves 

Few Coriander leaves chopped 

2 Green Chillies slit and cut into pieces 

Few drizzle of Kachampuli vinegar 

Pickled Fresh Pepper 

Salt if required 

6 tbsp Oil

Method 

Add oil into the wok, once the oil is hot, add the wet paste. Stir and sauté until the paste is translucent. Add the marinated chicken, cover and cook for 2 minutes on each side, turning the chicken leg pieces occasionally. Continue to cook on low flame. Once the oil releases, add 1/2 cup of water, cover the wok and continue to cook, turning the chicken leg pieces occasionally until the chicken legs are tender and the gravy has reduced. Garnish with fresh pickled pepper, coriander leaves, curry leaves, green chillies and drizzle of Kachampuli vinegar. Serve with hot rice or akki roti.

Coorgi Koli Saaru / Coorgi Chicken Curry

 Koli Saaru is a delectable Chicken dish from the region of Coorg. The curry is made with freshly ground spices which enhances the flavor of the curry. It's simple to make. It's served as a side dish, it's eaten with Akki Roti or Rice. I have used pressure cooker to speed up the time, but you can also slow cook it in a pot. 

To Marinate the Chicken

Ingredients

750 grams Chicken pieces washed and cleaned

1 tsp Turmeric powder

1 tsp Chilli powder

Salt to taste

Method

Marinate the chicken with turmeric powder, chilli powder and salt for 1 hour.

For the Masala powder

Ingredients

1 tsp Mustard seeds

1 tsp Black Pepper corns

1 tbsp Coriander Seeds

1 tsp Cumin seeds

5 Cloves

1 medium stick Cinnamon

Method

Dry roast the mustard seeds, black pepper,coriander seeds and cumin seeds till a strong aroma releases. Cool it and grind them into a powder.

For the Wet Paste

1 Medium size  Onion chopped

1 Medium size Tomato chopped

6 Garlic Pods

1 Inch Ginger

2 Green Chillies

1/2 tsp Roasted Poppy seeds - I have not added

1/2 cup fresh or frozen grated Coconut

Method

In a grinder, grind the Onion, Tomato, Garlic, Ginger, Green Chillies and Coconut into a paste.

To make the Curry

Ingredients

Marinated Chicken

1 medium size Onion finely chopped

Few Curry Leaves

Wet Paste

1/2 tsp Kachampuli (Black Vinegar)

OR

1 tsp Tamarind paste

1 1/2 tbsp Dry Masala powder

Salt to taste 

3 Tbsp Oil

Method

Take a pressure cooker. Add oil, let the oil heat up, add the onion and curry leaves. Sauté on the onion medium heat for 2 minutes. Add the wet paste, stir it and cook for 3 minutes on a medium low heat. Add 1/4 cup water and continue to cook for 2 minutes more. Add the chicken pieces, stir and cook for a minute. Add the powder masala. Stir and cook for another 2 minutes. Add 1 1/2 cups of water. Stir for a minute. Cover the pressure cooker and allow 4 whistles. Switch off the flame and let the pressure release. Open the lid. Add salt and tamarind paste and stir the curry. Let it the curry simmer for another 2 minutes. Serve the Koli Saaru with Akki roti or Rice.