I am bitten by the Retro bug. Don’t Google the word. There is no meaning to it. It’s just that of late I have been doing things the old fashioned way. Actually it started one fine day a few weeks ago,when I was flipping the pages of my old hand written recipe book. It is a collection of heirloom recipes from my grand moms, which have been handed down through generations. The pages had all come loose and I wanted to transfer the recipes into a new book for fear of losing the priceless treasure. As I turned each page they took me down memory lane. each recipe has its own story,the visual setting,the aroma,the flavors and the sounds associated with the first time I tasted it. I have been trying these recipes in my kitchen a number of times(the loose pages are enough proof). No doubt they turn out delicious but there is always something missing. The ingredients were all there,the procedure was the same but that particular aroma,that finger licking deliciousness,that oomph factor was missing in the recreated dish which took it one notch lower than the original. That set me thinking.
Those were not the days of ready made spices or sauces,frozen or processed foods,of high end gadgets like microwaves or food processors.I remember my gramma telling me how they used to pound their own spices,used natural farm fresh ingredients and cooked in clay pots and when they cooked people at the other end of the lane could guess the dish by the aroma wafting in the air. They didn’t churn out fancy gourmet dishes but whatever they cooked was pure,unadulterated,healthy and delicious. That was when I decided to make a few changes in my kitchen. I introduced copper bottles for drinking and storing water. I buy organic whole wheat take it to the flour mill and get it grinded under my watchful eye, roast and pound my spices fresh everyday, buy fresh meats, use homemade butter/ghee and last but not the least started cooking in Clay Pots 🙂 . I am sure my family and my house helps are highly amused at my new found fascination and guessing I will tire myself out of it. But enjoying the dishes they definitely are.
Clay pot cooking which was once popular in India is catching up again not only for its numerous health benefits but also for the earthen flavors and aroma which it imparts to the food cooked in it.Clay being alkaline in nature neutralizes the pH balance in the food and makes it healthier and tastier. The porous nature of clay pots helps the moisture and aroma to stay in the pot ,cooking the food slowly and making it flavorsome. Meats cooked in clay pots are succulent and fall of the bone.
My first clay pot dish was Chicken korma made with all fresh ingredients. My kitchen is on the first floor of the house and while I was still cooking this dish, my domestic help who works on the afternoon shift came hurriedly up to me and asked “Bhabhi what are you cooking. I could smell the delicious aroma even outside the house”
Ahhh!! The verdict was out. Even before we tasted the dish.
And true to it’s aroma, the chicken korma turned out absolutely delicious….finger licking good.
If you haven’t tried clay pot cooking and want to bring back the old world charm in your cooking, this is the right time. If you can, try and procure earthen pots from your local potter. Otherwise what is Amazon for. Order them online like I did and get cooking….
Chicken Korma
Ingredients
- 1 Chicken (preferably country fowl) cut into 14 pieces
- 2 onions grated
- 2 tsp. ginger paste
- 2 tsp. garlic paste
- 1 tomato cubed
- 1 cup yogurt
- salt to taste
- 1 tsp. red chili powder
- 1/4 tsp. turmeric powder
- 2 tsp. coriander powder
- 1/2 tsp. garam masala ( 2 cloves 2 cardamom 1 inch cinnamon ground together)
- 2 cloves
- 2 cardamoms
- 1 inch cinnamon whole
- 1 green chili slit
- 2 tbsp. dry coconut paste
- 10 cashews soaked in hot water and ground to a paste
- 1/2 cup chopped coriander leaves
- 1/2 cup chopped mint leaves
- 2 tsp. lemon juice
- 1/2 cup Clarified butter(Ghee)
Method:
- Take a round clay pot and marinate chicken with salt, red chili powder,turmeric powder,yogurt and garam masala in it. Keep it aside.
- Now take a deep bottomed pan and heat the ghee.
- Add whole cloves,cardamom and cinnamon.
- Saute for a few seconds on medium heat and add the grated onion. Fry till onions turn translucent.
- Add the ginger and garlic pastes and fry for 20-30 seconds.
- Add the green chili and chopped tomato and fry till soft.
- Take off heat and add this onion mixture to the marinated chicken which is in the clay pot.
- Place the clay pot on low heat and saute the chicken and onion mixture together.
- Add the fresh herbs.
- After 5 minutes increase the heat to medium,cover and cook till oil separates.
- Remove the lid and stir . Add coconut and cashew pastes.Saute well.
- Put a glass of water and cover lid.
- Leave on low heat for about an hour.
- Turn off heat and add the lemon juice.
- Serve with breads,roti or rice.
The chicken turns out delicious, moist and tender. The slow cooking process releases the distinct flavors from each of the ingredients and combine with the earthen flavor from the pot taking the dish to another level. If you have the time and patience do try this technique of cooking and I can assure you that you will thank me for reminding you or introducing you to this form of cooking. I was apprehensive at the beginning but now I have got the hang of it and clay pot cooking has become a regular feature in my kitchen.
If you want some extra tips or have any doubts with seasoning the pots , using or cleaning the pots you can leave a comment below or dash me an email. Have fun and enjoy cooking…
Aromas and Flavors from my Kitchen 
Your recipe reminds me of tandori chicken that I first had in an Indian restaurant many years ago, I believe in Toronto. That’s when I bought a clay pot (don’t remember what happened to it). You brought back a fond memory Ana and maybe I need to buy a new one.
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Thank you dear Judi. I have been hearing and reading a lot about the health benefits of cooking in clay pots and was wanting to introduce it. I have now got the hang of it and I am loving the experience. I am happy I reminded you of a fond memory dear Judi 😊
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With such lovely spices, no wonder the smell was all over! Looks so delicious. 🙂
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It really was Ronit. And I am so used to this claypot cooking now. I am on the verge of discarding the unhealthier non stick and aluminium pots.
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Thank you for the reblog
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Wow, love it
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Thank you so much😊
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Some inspiring kitchen habits you have there – we make our own yoghurt and spice blends but making butter/ghee – that’s impressive!
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Butter and Ghee my mom makes that for me with first churning cream of milk along with ice cubes. Then there is the long process of boiling , separating and flavoring. I am glad she helps me with that.
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Sounds really good! I love retro recipes!
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Thanks Nancy! You must try.
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What a mouthwatering chicken korma Ana! Where do you get the clay pots from? Are they easy to use?
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Hi Sandhya! Claypots are available at the local potters’. But I chose to buy from Amazon because they come preseasoned plus with handles. And surprisingly clay pots are easy to use and clean. It is just that we have to make sure we don’t put an empty pot on heat. And not clean with cold water while the pot is still warm. Otherwise we are good to go. Thanks dear for liking the dish. Now practically every dish I am making in a claypot and enjoying the experience too. But please make sure you are buying an unglazed pot.
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Thanks so much for that information Ana. I am sure the taste of food cooked in claypots is unique.
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Fabulous post
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Thank you
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I have never bought a clay pot, although I have always meant to; I see them often here in the US at second hand stores. There’s something to be said for the old ways. I’ve even heard ppl say that grinding spices in the spice grinder or food processor gives a different taste than the mortar and pestle, which I fully believe. I am glad you had such a wonderful trip down memory lane and produced such a lovely meal!
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Thank you so much dear Mollie. I have fallen in love with my clay pots and it is a regular affair in my kitchen now. You must give it a try too.
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Love like and respect a lot! Nostalgic too.
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Thank you so much for the kind words😊
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We recently purchased a Tajine/Tagine…which is right? Cant wIt for whrn the wife uses it to make something good. Might have her try your chicken recipe
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Whenever I see the recipe Mouth-watering.
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My mouth is watering just looking at this!
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Thank you! There is something in the old world charm
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Hello! This looks amazing. I don’t have a clay pot. Do you think I could make this in a slow cooker?
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Thank you Jana. I am sure you can. Infact you can make it any normal cooking pot. Clay pot adds to the taste and flavour of any dish cooked in it.
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I see! Thank you, I’ll let you know when I try your recipe. I’m sure it will be amazing.
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I will be looking forward to your feedback👍
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Thank you for sharing such a delicious meal. Looks divine. Merry Christmas and happy new year 2020.
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Thank you Rozina for your kind comment. Have a prosperous and happy year ahead💐
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🌷🌼🌼🌼🌼
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