Khajur murg

Khajur Murg

Being a Bengali adding a pinch of sugar t my food while cooking is normal. However when I saw this recipe for chicken with khajur/dates I was sceptical. Won’t it be too sweet? Non veg with so much sweetness? Hmmm!! But I guess the concept of sugar in non sweet food items is based on a concept of yin and yang…all about balance. In this dish also the sweetness of khajur is balanced by the red chillies and the masalas. An interesting taste and a must try.

Ingredients

1 whole chicken, cut into pieces

3 large onions, chopped fine

1 tbsp ginger paste

1 tbsp garlic paste

10 pieces of khajur/dates, chopped

5 red chillies

5 cloves

1 piece of cinnamon

1 tsp cumin seeds

2 bay leaves

5 peppercorns

5 green cardamom

1 tbsp red chilli powder

1 tsp garam masala

1 tsp turmeric

Salt to taste

1 tbsp ghee/clarified butter

Heat the ghee/clarified butter. Fry the dates and red chillies.

 Make a paste using a little water.

Fry the onions till they turn translucent. Add ginger and garlic pastes.

Add the turmeric powder, red chilli powder and garam masala. Add the dates paste and sauté.

Add the chicken and salt and fry on high flame for a few minutes. 

Add a cup of water and simmer till the chicken is cooked. Garnish with chopped coriander leaves.