Hindi Simmer Pot

Using my limited knowledge of Indian spices, I threw this together for leftover Chicken and Chana.  Grinding the spices fresh with a mortar and pestle made a world of difference.

1 Can chick peas rinsed = chana
1 Can Tomatoes = tamatar
1 C chicken broth = ?
1 C frozen spinach = palak
1 Onion coarse chopped = Piaz
1/2C leftover Chicken Breast, diced  = Murgi

2 T canola oil
2 T Ginger Garlic Paste = Lasun Adrak
5 Cardamom seeds from pods, ground = Elaichi
1 T Fresh Ground Cumin = Jeera
1 T Tumeric = Haldi
1 t fresh ground pepper = kali mirch
1/2 nutmeg grated = Jaipahl
1/2" cinamon grated = Dalchini
salt to taste = namak

Sautee Onion in oil, with spices.  Simmer all in a pot until done.  Serve over hod Basmati rice.

Hindustani Chicken

Inspiration comes from the strangest places...  I was craving Indian food, which I call Hindustani, because once upon a time I was speaking to a group of my trainees and telling them that cigarettes were cheaper on the Indian reservations... and I looked around me at the 8 Indian nationals I was speaking to, and said, so do you call yourselves Indians?  And I was told that they used the term Hindustani.  

I wanted curry chicken, found a mediocre recipe on the internet and have made some adjustments.  First of all I need to buy plain yogurt on a regular basis.  I used half and half (the recipe called for cream) and some sour cream. But yogurt is what is needed. Also the recipe called for to much cinnamon, so I reduced that, and did not have enough curry flavor, so I increased that.  And here is my first Hindustani recipe:   

2 lbs Chicken Breast, cut into bite size chunks
1 package chopped spinach cooked and drained
1 14-16 oz can chick peas, drained and rinsed.
1 C plain yogurt (was half and half/cream)
14 - 16 oz tomato sauce.
1 medium onion, chopped
4 cloves garlic, chopped
3 TBS Butter (Ghee if available)
1 TBS cumin
1 tsp ginger powder - need to find paste or fresh equivalent 
1 tsp paprika (reduced)
1 tsp curry powder (increased)
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper - this creates a mild base add more to heat (reduced).
1/2 tsp tumeric (increased)
1/4 tsp cinnamon (reduced)

Sautee the onions in butter over med-low heat until translucent. Add garlic, cook another 1-2 minutes.
Mix all of the spices together in a small bowl.  Toss the chicken in the spices. Move the onions and garlic to the side of the pan, increase the heat to medium and sear the chicken on all sides.
Once the chicken is seared, add the tomato sauce (and fresh or tube ginger) and chick peas.  Reduce heat to simmer for 10-15 minutes.
Add the yogurt/dairy and simmer for an additional 10 minutes.

Serve with Naan bread and/or Basmati rice.  
Add 1/4 tsp tumeric per C of rice for a golden color. 

Spinach Pasta

1 Bag of Frozen Spinach - (need to try fresh s/b 2-3 bags)
1 pkg refrigerated or dry Ricotta & Spinach Tortellini
Light Olive Oil
Extra Virgin dipping Olive Oil
1/2 small onion
1/2 stick Butter
2 cloves Garlic (4 TBS jarred)
Salt & Pepper to taste
Parmesean Cheese

Prepare tortellini per directions
Coat in light olive oil

Saute Garlic & Onions in Butter in large fry pan on med/lo heat until onions translucent
Rinse Spinach and add to fry pan cook until tender
Add Parmesean, Salt & Pepper to taste

pour spinach into shallow serving dish
pour tortelini over spinach.
drizzle with extra virgin olive oil
grate fresh parmesian over top.

bon appetit