Kolhapuri Tambda Rassa (Grilled Chicken)

A very famous non-vegetarian dish from Kolhapur, usually prepared with mutton. I took a twist to the recipe and prepared it with chicken. Also, instead of cooking the chicken in the curry, I grilled the whole marinated chicken in the oven and then mixed with the wonderful, aromatic curry.

This recipe used so many spices that I called it a "spice market" recipe. It used the Kolhapuri Masala which is the most important ingredient. I made the Kolhapuri Masala at home.

Kolhapuri Masala Recipe

Ingredients:

For the marination:

Chicken: 200 gm
Ginger-garlic paste: 3 tsp.
Salt to taste
Turmeric powder: 1/2 tsp.
Yoghurt: 3 tsp.

For grinding:

Cloves: 2
Black peppercorns: 5-6
Cinnamon stick: 1 inch
Sesame seeds: 1/2 tsp.
Dry coconut: 1 tsp.
Onion (cut lengthwise): 1
Cooking oil: 2 tsp.

For the curry:

Bay leaves: 2
Cloves: 2
Cinnamon stick: 1/2 inch
Black peppercorns: 1/2 tsp.
Poppy seeds: 1 tsp.
Onion (chopped): 1
Tomato (chopped): 1
Salt to taste
Cooking oil: 2 tsp.

1. Marinate the flat chicken (to be grilled) with ginger-garlic paste, salt, turmeric powder and yoghurt for about 8-10 hours. I did it overnight. 
2. Preheat the oven for 10 minutes at 200°C and then apply oil to the grill, and keep the marinated chicken on the grill. Cook on 200°C for 15 minutes, checking and turning the chicken, and applying the marinade to either sides, if necessary.
3. Cook at high for another 5 minutes and take out the grilled chicken and set aside.
4. Heat oil in a pan and add cloves, peppercorns, cinnamon, sesame, onion and dry coconut. Fry until the onions become brown. Transfer this to a bowl, let cool and grind in a paste. Keep aside.
5. Heat oil in the same pan and add bay leaves, cloves, cinnamon, peppercorns and poppy seeds. After 10 seconds add onions. Saute them and add tomatoes. Mix well and let cook until the tomatoes become soft.
6. Add salt, mix well and add the ground paste and the kolhapuri masala. Mix well. Add 1/2 cup water. Let cook on medium heat for about 10 minutes.
7. Add the grilled chicken to the pan and mix well. Turn off the heat and serve hot.