Alright so I have to admit I love winters, I mean yeah they are harsh in New Delhi, but not as harsh as the summers. When I read about how summers are described and cherished in the books I read or the television programs I see, it makes me think; how nice it would be to go out on a summer afternoon with a picnic basket and a blanket. Spend the entire day in woods near a stream, laying down and reading your favorite book. May be that's how the summers are enjoyed in other countries or cities may be. But not in New Delhi. No sir summers here are harsh. And with harsh I mean brutal, killer. Here if you thinks to step out on a summer afternoon you would need to prepare a lot. The first preparation would be to look for an alternate time to go out. If that doesn't work out. Then you would need a sunblock with the highest spf available in the market. But do you think that's enough, you haven't even started yet. You also need, an umbrella, a scarf, a pair of shades and a bottle of water in your handbag with a bottle of the sunscreen you just applied; to reapply after 2 hours. And when you are about to get out of the house, your mom will give you a glass full of Aam Panna saying "peele warna loo lag jayegi" (drink or else you get heatstroke).
Aam Panna is an amazing drink made with Raw Mangoes and spices and mint. It keeps the body hydrated and helps prevent heatstroke. I guess the best thing thing about Indian summers are Mangoes. Every kid in here has a fond memory of sitting on their porch on summer afternoons, sucking on to a Mango. Our moms giving us clear instructions not to spill it on our clothes and the floor. Afternoons was also the time for our mothers to be free of all the chores and then sit with a pile of Raw mangoes. They would clean them carefully and cut them and put them out in the sun to dry out. After few days of drying and closely guarding these mangoes from thieving kids, they would make amazing pickles with those green beauties.
I admit it is tempting to go to the grocery store and see the vegetable seller arranging a pile of Bright Green Raw Mangoes. It is almost impossible to walk away without buying some. I still get my yearly ration of the mango pickle from my mother. So I don't worry making them myself. But I still wanted to buy and use them in one of my recipes.
This Chicken in Raw Mango gravy wasn't an instant idea. But after few days of thinking when I made it, I just couldn't stop eating. My reward was when son got his platter, while I was taking these pictures and insisted that I give him some right then. He ended up eating 4-5 pieces and he's just 2.
Things you will need are:
1 Kg Chicken (Curry Cut)
2 Medium Unripe Green Mangoes (Peeled, Cut and Pureed)
1 Large Onion chopped
1 Tsp Ginger paste
1 Tsp Garlic paste
2 Tsp Garam Masala
2 Tsp Sugar/ Honey
1 Tsp Red Chili Powder
2 Tsp Coriander Powder
1/2 Tsp Turmeric Powder
2-3 Green Chilies chopped
2 Tbsp Fresh Coriander Leaves chopped
4-5 cloves
Salt to taste
Method:
In a mixing bowl, mix the chicken with half the mango puree, half garam masala, Half ginger-garlic paste.Marinate for about an hour in refrigerator
Heat oil in a pan, then add the cloves and saute the onions till translucent. Add the remaining ginger garlic paste and green chilies and saute for another 2 minutes.
Add the marinated chicken, turmeric powder. chili powder, coriander powder and remaining green mango puree. Mix well so that the chicken is coated with masala. Cook on high heat for few minutes.
Add a cup of water and the sugar and salt. Lower the heat add the coriander leaves and cook till chicken is done.
Serve it hot with Paratha and Roti.
Hope you guys will enjoy this seasonal Khatta Meetha gravy. Yeah it is seasonal cause you wont get fresh green mangoes though out the year.
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