Marinated Spiced Lamb Stew

Spice-coated lamb cubes, cooked until tender.

Serves: 4

Ingredients:

750-800 g lamb, trimmed of all fat and cut into 1 1/2 inch cubes
3 garlic cloves, crushed
2 teaspoons finely grated fresh root ginger
2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
5 tablespoons dried or fresh mint leaves, finely chopped
2 teaspoons ground cumin
2 teaspoons ground coriander
1 teaspoon chilli powder
6-7 cloves
1 cinnamon stick
1 bay leaf
1 black cardamom pod
1 onion, halved and sliced
200 ml natural yogurt
salt
2-3 tbsp oil

Method:

1. Place the lamb cubes in a bowl.

2. Put the garlic, ginger, vinegar, cumin, coriander, chilli powder and yogurt in a food processor and blend until smooth. Season, then pour this mixture over the lamb to coat it evenly.

3. Cover and chill in the refrigerator for 4-6 hours or over night if time permits.

4. Heat 2-3 tbsp oil in a casserole. Add the cloves, bay leaf, cardamom pod, cinnamon stick and the sliced onion. Stir-fry for 2-5 minutes, until the onion is lightly golden.

5. Add the lamb. Bring to the boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer and partially cover the pan.

6. Simmer, stirring occasionally for 50 minutes - 1½ hour or until the meat is tender.

 

7. Serve with Spiced Lemon Rice

 

 

 

South Indian Pepper Chicken

 

Spiced with peppercorns rather than chilli, this creamy curry will be popular with the whole family. Fresh ginger and garlic give it a warming, spicy aroma. Serve with a refreshing salad to complement the rich sauce.

Serves: 3

Ingredients:

1 tablespoon sunflower oil
1 bay leaf
4 cloves
½ teaspoon crushed cardamom seeds
2 teaspoons crushed black peppercorns
1 teaspoon finely grated fresh root ginger
2 teaspoons finely grated garlic
625 g (1 ¼ lb) boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
150 ml water or chicken stock
½ teaspoon turmeric
350 ml low-fat natural yogurt
salt

Method:

1. Heat the oil in a large nonstick frying pan and when hot add the bay leaf, cloves, crushed cardamom seeds and peppercorns. Stir-fry for 30 seconds, then add the ginger, garlic and the chicken.

2. Stir-fry over a medium heat for 4-5 minutes before adding the water or stock and the turmeric. Season.

3. Bring to the boil, cover, reduce the heat and simmer gently for 10-12 minutes or until the chicken is tender and cooked through.

4. Remove from the heat, drizzle over the yogurt so that it is partially stirred in and serve.

Healthy tip:

Adding low-fat yogurt gives this dish a rich creaminess, with none of the fat that comes with cream, ground almonds or coconut - which are all popular ingredients in many Indian curries.

Beef Biryani

This biryani, which uses beef, is a speciality of the Muslim community. The recipe may seem long, but biryani is one of the easiest and most relaxing ways of cooking, especially when you are entertaining. Once the dish is assembled and placed in the oven, it looks after itself and you can get on with greeting your guests.

Serves :4

Ingredients:

2 large onions

2 garlic cloves, chopped

2.5 cm fresh root ginger, peeled and roughly chopped

1 fresh green chilli, seeded and chopped

small bunch of fresh coriander (cilantro)

4 tbsp flaked (sliced) almonds

3 tbsp water

1 tbsp ghee or butter, plus 25 g butter for the rice

3 tbsp vegetable oil

2 tbsp sultanas (golden raisins)

500 g braising or stewing steak, cubed

1 tsp ground coriander

1 tbsp ground cumin

½ tsp ground turmeric

½ tsp ground fenugreek

good pinch of ground cinnamon

175 ml natural (plain yogurt, whisked

275 g basmati rice

about 1.2 litres hot chicken stock or water

salt and black pepper

2 hard-boiled eggs, quartered, to garnish

chapatis, to serve

Method:

1. Roughly chop one onion and place it in a food processor or blender. Add the garlic, ginger chilli, fresh coriander and half the flaked almonds. Pour in the water and process to a smooth paste. Transfer the paste to a small bowl and set aside.

2. Finely slice the remaining onion into rings or half rings. Heat half the ghee or butter with half the oil in a heavy flameproof casserole and fry the onion rings for 15 minutes until they are deep golden brown. Transfer to a plate with a slotted spoon.

3. Fry the remaining flaked almonds briefly until golden and set aside with the onion rings, then quickly fry the sultanas until they swell. Transfer to the plate.

4. Heat the remaining ghee or butter in the casserole with a further 1 tbsp of the oil. Fry the cubed meat, in batches, until evenly browned on all sides. Transfer the meat to a plate and set aside.

5. Wipe the casserole clean with kitchen paper, heat the remaining oil and pour in the onion, spice and coriander paste made earlier. Cook over a medium heat for 2-3 minutes, stirring all the time, until the mixture begins to brown lightly. Stir in all the additional spices, season with salt and ground black pepper and cook for 1 minute more.

6. Lower the heat, then stir in the yogurt, a little at a time. When all of it has been incorporated into the spice mixture, return the meat to the casserole. Stir to coat, cover tightly and simmer over a gentle heat for 45 minutes until the meat is tender. Meanwhile, soak the rice in a bowl of cold water for 15-20 minutes.
7. Preheat the oven to 160°C/ 325°F/ Gas 3. Drain the rice, place in a pan and add the hot chicken stock or water, together with a little salt. Bring back to the boil, cover and cook for 5 minutes.
8. Drain the rice, and pile it in a mound on top of the meat in the casserole. Using the handle of a spoon, make a hole through the rice and meat mixture, to the bottom of the pan. Place the fried onions, almonds and sultanas over the top and dot with butter. Cover the casserole tightly with a double layer of foil and secure with a lid.

9. Cook the biryani in the preheated oven for 60-70 minutes. To serve, spoon the mixture on to a warmed serving platter and garnish with the quartered hard-boiled eggs. Serve with chapatis.

Chicken Biryani

Biryani is a meal itself and needs no accompaniment, except for a raita and some poppadums. It is a dish that is equally at home on the family dining table or as a dinner-party centrepiece.

Serves: 4

Ingredients:

275 g basmati rice

10 whole green cardamom pods

½ tsp salt

3 whole cloves

5 cm cinnamon stick

3 tbsp vegetable oil

3 onions, sliced

4 chicken breast fillets, each about 175 g, skinned and cubed

¼ tsp ground cloves

¼ tsp hot chilli powder

1 tsp ground cumin

1 tsp ground coriander

½ tsp ground black pepper

3 garlic cloves, chopped

1 tsp finely chopped fresh root ginger

juice of 1 lemon

4 tomatoes, sliced

1 tbsp chopped fresh coriander (cilantro)

150 ml natural (plain yogurt), plus extra to serve

5 saffron threads, soaked in 2 tsp warm milk

150 ml water

toasted flaked (sliced) almonds and fresh coriander (cilantro) sprigs, to garnish

Method:

1. Wash the rice well and leave to soak in water for 30 minutes.

2. Preheat the oven to 190°C/375°F/Gas 5. Remove the seeds from half the cardamom pods and grind them finely, using a pestle and mortar. Set aside the ground seeds.

3. Bring a pan of water to the boil. Drain the rice and add it with the salt, whole cardamom pods, cloves and cinnamon stick. Boil for 2 minutes, then drain, leaving the whole spices in the rice. Keep the rice hot in a covered pan.

4. Heat the oil in a karahi, wok or large pan, and fry the onions for 8 minutes, until softened and browned.

5. Add the chicken and the ground spices, including the ground cardamom seeds. Mix well, then add the garlic, ginger and lemon juice. Stir-fry for about 5 minutes.

6. Transfer the chicken mixture to a casserole and arrange the tomatoes on top. Sprinkle on the fresh coriander, spoon the yogurt evenly on top and cover with the drained rice.

7. Drizzle the saffron milk over the rice and pour over the water. Cover, then bake in the oven for 1 hour. Transfer to a serving platter and discard the whole spices. Garnish with the toasted flaked almonds and coriander sprigs and serve immediately.

Chicken Saag

A mildly spiced dish using a popular combination of spinach and chicken. This recipe is best made using fresh spinach.

Serves: 4

Ingredients:

225 g fresh spinach leaves, washed but not dried
2.5 cm piece fresh root ginger, grated
2 garlic cloves, crushed
1 fresh green chilli, roughly chopped
200 ml water
1 tbsp oil
2 bay leaves
¼ tsp black peppercorns
1 onion, finely chopped
4 tomatoes, peeled and finely chopped
2 tsp curry powder
1 tsp salt
1 tsp chilli powder
3 tbsp natural (plain) yogurt
8 chicken thighs, skinned ( I used chicken legs instead)
Naan bread or rice to serve
natural (plain) yogurt and chilli powder, to garnish

Method:

1. Cook the spinach leaves, without extra water, in a tightly covered pan for 5 minutes. Put the cooked spinach, ginger, garlic and chilli with 50 ml of the measured water into a food processor or blender and process to a thick purée. Set aside.

2. Heat the oil in a large heavy pan, add the bay leaves and black peppercorns and fry for 2 minutes. Stir in the onion and fry for a further 6-8 minutes or until the onion has browned.

3. Add the tomatoes and simmer for about 5 minutes.

4. Stir in the curry powder, salt and chilli powder. Cook for 2 minutes over a medium heat, stirring once or twice.

5. Stir in the spinach purée and the remaining measured water, then simmer for 5 minutes.

6. Add the yogurt, 1 tbsp at a time, and simmer for 5 minutes.

7. Add the chicken thighs and stir to coat them in the sauce. Cover and cook for 25-30 minutes until the chicken is tender. Serve with naan bread or basmati rice. Drizzle over some yogurt and dust with chilli powder.

Lamb Kebabs

First introduced by the Muslims, kebabs have now become a favourite Indian dish.

Serves: 6-8

Ingredients:

For the kebabs

900 g lean minced (ground) lamb
1 large onion, roughly chopped
5 cm piece fresh root ginger, chopped
2 garlic cloves, crushed
1 fresch green chillie, finely chopped
1 tsp chilli powder
2 tbsp chopped fresh coriander (cilantro)
1 tsp garam masala
2 tsp ground coriander
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp salt
1 egg
1 tbsp natural (plain) yogurt
1 tbsp oil
mixed salad, to serve

For the raita

250 ml natural (plain) yogurt
½ cucumber, finely chopped
2 tbsp chopped fresh mint
¼ tsp salt

Method:

1. Put all the ingredients for the kebabs, except the yogurt and oil, into a food processor or blender and process until the mixture bind together. Spoon into a bowl, cover and leave to marinate for 1½ hour.

2.  For the raita, mix together all the ingredients and chill for at least 15 minutes in a refrigerator.

3. Preheat the grill (broiler). Divide the lamb mixture into eight equal portions with lightly floured hands and mould into long sausage shapes. Thread on to skewers and chill.

4. Brush the kebabs lightly with the yogurt and oil and cook under a hot grill for 10-15 minutes, turning occasionally, until brown all over. Serve the kebabs on a bed of salad accompanied by the raita.

Balti Chicken in Saffron Sauce

This is a beautifully aromatic chicken dish that is partly cooked in oven.

Serves: 4

Ingredients:

50 g butter
2 tbsp corn oil
1.2-1.3 kg chicken, skinned and cut into 8 pieces
1 medium onion, chopped
1 tsp crushed garlic
½ tsp crushed black peppercorns
½ tsp crushed cardamom pods
¼ tsp ground cinnamon
1½ tsp chilli powder
150 ml natural plain yogurt
50 g ground almonds
1 tbsp lemon juice
1 tsp salt
1 tsp saffron strands
150 ml water
150 ml single (light) cream
2 tbsp chopped fresh coriander (cilantro)

Method:

1. Preheat the oven to 180 °C/350 °C/ Gas 4. Melt the butter with the oil in a karahi, wok or deep pan. Add the chicken pieces and fry until lightly browned, about 5 minutes. Remove the chicken using a slotted spoon, leaving behind the fat.

2. Add the onion to the same pan, and fry over a medium heat. Meanwhile, mix together the next 10 ingredients in a bowl. When the onions are lightly browned, pour the spice mixture into the pan and stir-fry for about 1 minute.

3.Add the chicken pieces, and continue to fry for a further 2 minutes stirring constantly. Pour in the water and bring to a simmer.Transfer the contents of the pan to a casserole and cover with a lid, or if using a karahi with heatproof handles, cover with foil. Transfer to the oven and cook for 30-35 minutes.

4. Once you are sure that the chicken is cooked right through, remove it from the oven. Transfer the mixture to a frying pan or place karahi on the stove and stir in the cream.

5. Reheat gently for about 2 minutes. Garnish with fresh coriander and serve with a fruity pilau or plain boiled rice.

Shrikhand (flavoured hung yogurt)

This is a wonderful sweet or sour yogurt dessert and is so easy to make. It is served on auspicious occasions in Maharashtra.

Serves: 6

Ingredients:

1 litre yogurt

1 tbsp milk (lukewarm)
a few saffron strands, enough to give a little taste and colour.
130 g caster sugar ( to taste, depending on the acidity of the yogurt)
¼ tsp cardamom powder
1 tbsp sliced almonds
1 tbsp sliced pistachios

Method:

1.Drain the yogurt – Put a muslin or cheese cloth over a strainer. Now pour the yogurt over muslin cloth to drain. Place a bowl underneath the strainer to collect the excess water.

 2.Next gently squeeze the excess water from yogurt. Make sure not to squeeze out the yogurt.

 3.Move the yogurt with strainer and bowl into the refrigerator for at least six hours to drain excess water.

 4.Yogurt will become thick in consistency.

 5.Dissolve the saffron in warm milk. Milk will take on the saffron color, yellowish orange.

 6. Add sugar, cardamom powder, and saffron milk to yogurt and beat well till sugar dissolves. You may use a mixer.

 7.Mix in most of the almonds and pistachios to the yogurt mix and the remaining nuts will be used for garnish.

 8. Chill the shrikhand before serving.

 9.Traditionally shrikhand is served with puri (fried flat bread).

Meat Cooked with Cardamom

The Hindu Sindhis migrated from Sindh to India in 1947 (Sindh is now part of Pakistan) and the largest number of them settled in Bombay, now known as Mumbai. Sindhi food is not found outside Sindhi homes. This is my mother’s recipe and is extremely simple to make, involving just a few ingredients.

A very delicate mutton dish with a thin gravy full of the flavor of cardamom (elachi) and black pepper, this is a favourite  of the Sindhis. Dishes with pepper seem to be a standard prescription in many parts of India for women after childbirth, and in the region around Hyderabad town in Sindh this dish was given every day to new mothers. It is traditionally eaten with chapatis though it is equally good with rice.

Serves: 6

Ingredients:

1 kg lamb, on or off the bone

100 ml full-fat yogurt

35 green cardamoms

100 ml oil

2 teaspoon ground black pepper

1 teaspoon turmeric powder

1 teaspoon chilli powder

2 teaspoons coriander powder

3 medium tomatoes ( sourish variety), finely chopped

Salt

Method:

1. If the lamb is on the bone, wash it in warm water. Whisk the yogurt with a fork in a bowl.

2. Grind the whole green cardamoms in a blender with a little water, or in a coffee grinder without water and then mix with a little water to make a paste.

3. Heat the oil in a cooking pot. Add the cardamom paste and the pepper and fry over a low heat for 2-3 minutes. Add the meat and the turmeric, chilli and coriander powders and sauté for 10 minutes, stirring all the time to prevent the mixture from sticking to the bottom of the pot, adding water if necessary.

4. Lower the heat and add yogurt, tomatoes and salt to taste and continue to sate for a further 5 minutes. Add about 800 ml of water, cover the pot and leave to simmer over a low heat until the meat is tender.

The secret of success with this dish lies in making sure that the meat and spices are fried for a full 10 minutes (step 3) without allowing the spices to burn. Therefore it is essential to keep the heat low and use the recommended amount of oil.

Spinach with Curd Cheese

Serves: 2

Ingredients:

450 ml milk
100 ml live yogurt
salt
2 tsp lime or lemon juice
250 g fresh spinach or 1 small packet frozen spinach
2 green chillies, chopped
½ tsp chopped fresh ginger
2 tbsp oil
a pinch of fenugreek seeds
1 onion, chopped
1 garlic clove, chopped¼ tsp cumin seeds
2 tomatoes, puréed

Method:

1. To make curd cheese, bring the milk just to boiling point, then add the live yogurt with a pinch of salt and the lime or lemon juice. Continue boiling for 7-10 minutes. The milk will separate. Remove from the heat and allow to cool.

2. Place a large strainer over a bowl and pour in the milk to collect the solids in the strainer, allowing the whey to remain in the bowl below. Keep the milk solids in contact with the whey until required for cooking. When ready to use, press down the solids in the strainer with a potato masher or the back of a large spoon to squeeze the moisture out or use a jelly bag or cheesecloth. You will get about 100 g curd cheese or paneer.

3. Cook the spinach with the chillies, ginger, a pinch of salt, and just a sprinkling of water if using fresh spinach. Cook uncovered so that the bright green colour is retained. (Salt is also required for retaining the colour.) When cool, purée in a blender.

4. In a frying pan, heat the oil and fry the fenugreek seeds for 30 seconds, then add the onion and fry until lightly coloured. Add the garlic and cumin, and after 30 seconds the tomatoes. Fry for about 5 minutes.

5. When the liquid from the tomatoes has evaporated, add the curd cheese and stir gently. Add the puréed spinach and cook for a couple of minutes. It is now ready to serve.

Beef Kofta Curry

Small, spicy balls of minced beef cooked in a smooth, spicy sauce make a warming supper. Serve with Indian flatbreads and fresh Indian salad or salsa. Wrap the koftas and saladup in the bread for an informal meal.

Serves: 4

Ingredients:

625 g lean minced beef

1 tsp finely grated fresh root ginger

2 tsp fennel seeds

1 tsp ground cinnamon

1 tsp turmeric

2 tbsp mild curry powder

500 ml tomato passata

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Low-fat yogurt and mint leaves to garnish

Method:

1. Place the mince and ginger in a large bowl. Roughly crush the fennel seeds in a mortar and pestle and add to the mixture with the cinnamon. Season and, using your hands, mix thoroughly. Form the mixture into small, walnut-sized balls and set aside.

2. Place the turmeric, curry powder and passata in a wide, nonstick saucepan and bring to the boil. Season, reduce the heat and carefully place the meatballs in the sauce. Cover and cook gently for 15-20 minutes, stirring and turning the meatballs around occasionally, until they are cooked through. Remove from the heat, drizzle with the low-fat yogurt and scatter with the mint leaves. Serve with chapattis or other flatbreads and salad.

Spiced Cauliflower Soup

Light and tasty, this creamy, mildly spicy vegetable soup is multi-purpose. It makes a wonderful warming first course, an appetizing quick meal and is delicious chilled.

Serves: 4-6

Ingredients:

1 large potato, diced
1 small cauliflower, chopped
1 onion, chopped
1 tbsp oil
1 garlic clove, crushed
1 tbsp grated fresh root ginger
2 tsp ground turmeric
1 tsp cumin seeds
1 tsp black mustard seeds
2 tsp ground coriander
1 litre vegetable stock
300 ml natural (plain) low fat yogurt
Salt and black pepper
Fresh coriander (cilantro), to garnish

Method:

1. Put the potato, cauliflower and onion into a large heavy pan with the oil and 3 tbsp water. Heat until hot and bubbling, then stir well, cover the pan and turn the heat down. Continue cooking the mixture for about 10 minutes.

2. Add the garlic, ginger and spices. Stir well, and cook for another 2 minutes, stirring occasionally. Pour in the stock and season well. Bring to the boil, then cover and simmer for about 20 minutes. Purée in a food processor and return to the pan. Stir in the yogurt, adjust the seasoning and serve garnished with coriander or parsley.

Balti Chicken Pasanda

Yogurt and cream give this tasty dish its characteristic richness. Serve it with Peshwari naan to complement the almonds.

Serves: 4

Ingredients:

4 tbsp Greek (US strained plain) yogurt
½ tsp black cumin seeds
4 cardamom pods
6 whole black peppercorns
2 tsp garam masala
2.5 cm cinnamon stick
1 tbsp ground almonds
1 tsp crushed garlic
1 tsp grated fresh root ginger
1 tsp chilli powder
1 tsp salt
675 g skinless, boneless chicken, cubed
5 tbsp corn oil
2 medium onions, diced
3 fresh green chillies, chopped
2 tbsp chopped fresh coriander (cilantro)
120 ml (light) cream

Method:

1. Mix the yogurt, cumin seeds, cardamoms, peppercorns, garam masala, cinnamon stick, ground almonds, garlic, ginger, chilli powder and salt in a medium mixing bowl. Add the chicken pieces, stir to coat, and leave to marinate for 2-3 hours.

2. Heat the oil in a large karahi, wok or deep pan. Add the onions and fry for 2-3 minutes.

3. Tip in the chicken mixture and stir until it is well blended with the onions.

4. Cook for 12-15 minutes over a medium heat until the sauce thickens and the chicken is cooked through.

5. Add the green chillies, and fresh coriander, and pour in the cream. Bring to the boil, stirring constantly, and serve garnished with more coriander, if you like.

Chicken Tikka Masala

This is another of those dishes that is celebrated in the West but less well known in India. It is said to be Britain's favourite chicken dish. In this version, tender chicken pieces are cooked in a creamy, spicy tomato sauce.

Serves: 4

Ingredients:

675 g chicken breast portions, skinned
6 tbsp tikka paste
120 ml natural (plain)low fat yogurt
1 tbsp oil
1 onion, chopped
1 garlic clove, crushed
1 fresh green chilli, seeded and chopped
2.5 cm piece fresh root ginger, grated
1 tbsp tomato purée (paste)
250 ml water,
a little melted ghee or butter
1 tbsp lemon juice
fresh coriander (cilantro) sprigs, natural (plain) low fat yogurt and toasted cumin seeds, to garnish
Naan bread or plain basmati rice to serve.

Method:

1. Remove any visible fat from the chicken and cut the meat into 2.5 cm cubes. Mix 3 tbsp of the tikka paste and 4 tbsp of the yogurt into a bowl. Add the chicken and leave to marinate for 60 minutes.

2. Heat the oil in a heavy pan and fry the onion, garlic, chilli and ginger for 5 minutes. Add the remaining tikka paste and fry for 2 minutes. Stir in the tomato purée and water, bring to the boil and simmer for 15 minutes.

3. Meanwhile, thread the chicken pieces on to wooden kebab skewers. Preheat the grill (broiler).

4. Brush the chicken pieces lightly with melted ghee or butter and cook under a medium heat for 15 minutes, turning the skewers occasionally.

5. Put the tikka sauce into a food processor or blender and process until smooth. Return to the pan.

6. Add the remaining yogurt and the lemon juice, remove the grilled (broiled) chicken from the skewers and add to the pan, then simmer for 5 minutes. Garnish with the fresh coriander, yogurt and toasted cumin seeds and serve on naan bread or with plain rice (basmati).

Balti Chicken in Hara Masala Sauce

This Chicken dish can be served as an accompaniment to any of the rice dishes.

Serves: 4

Ingredients:

1 ½ crisp green eating apple, peeled, cored and cut into small cubes.
4 tbsp fresh coriander leaves
2 tbsp fresh mint leaves
200 ml natural (plain) low fat yogurt
4 tbsp low fat fromage frais or ricotta cheese
3 fresh green chillies, seeded and chopped
1 bunch spring onions (scallions), chopped
1 ½ tsp salt
1 ½ tsp granulated sugar
1 ½ tsp crushed garlic
1 tsp grated fresh root ginger
1 tbsp oil
500-700 g skinless chicken breast fillets, cubed
40-45 g sultanas (golden raisins)

Method:

1. Place the apple, 45ml/3 tbsp of the coriander, the mint, yogurt, fromage frais or ricotta, chillies, spring onions, salt, sugar, garlic and ginger in a food processor and pulse for about 1 minute.

2. Heat the oil in a karahi, wok or heavy pan, pour in the yogurt mixture and cook over a low heat for about 2 minutes.

3. Next, add the chicken pieces and blend everything together. Cook over a medium/low heat for 12-15 minutes or until the chicken is fully cooked.

4. Stir in thhe sultanas and remaining 1 tbsp fresh coriander leaves and serve.

Chicken Curry with Sliced Apples

This mild yet flavoursome dish is given a special lift by the addition of sliced apples.

Ingredients:

Serves: 4

2 tsp oil

2 medium onions, diced

1 bay leaf

2 cloves

2.5 cm cinnamon stick

4 black peppercorns

1 baby chicken, about 675 g, skinned and cut into 8 pieces

1 tsp garam masala

1 tsp grated fresh root ginger

1 tsp crushed garlic

1 tsp salt

1 tsp chilli powder

1 tbsp ground almonds

150 ml natural (plain) low fat yoghurt

2 green eating apples, peeled, cored and roughly sliced

1 tbsp chopped fresh coriander (cilantro)

15 g flaked (sliced) almonds, lightly toasted, and fresh coriander (cilantro) leaves, to garnish.

1. Heat the oil in a karahi, wok or heavy pan and fry the onions with the bay leaf, cloves, cinnamon and peppercorns for about 3-5 minutes until the onions are beginning to soften but have not yet begun to brown.

2. Add the chicken pieces to the onions and continue to stir-fry for at least another 3 minutes.

3. Lower the heat and add the garam masala, ginger, garlic, salt, chilli powder and ground almonds and cook, stirring constantly, for 2-3 minutes.

4. Pour in the yoghurt and stir for a couple more minutes.

5. Add the apples and chopped coriander and cook for about 10-15 minutes.

6. Check that the chicken is cooked through and serve immediately, garnished with flaked almonds and whole coriander leaves.