Cilantro Chicken with Carrot Rice!




Fall allergies have left my sinuses flowing and head completely jammed. But thankfully my taste buds have been spared. I don't have the energy to cook elaborate meals but I still want a lip smacking meal. Last Sunday I just put together a quick lunch comprising of Cilantro chicken and Carrot rice. The flavors and colors of the meal lifted my spirits. Both recipes are easy with regular pantry staples.

Cilantro Chicken

Ingredients:
1 pound chicken, chopped into desired sizes
a bunch of spring onions
8-10 sprigs of cilantro, stems and leaves
2-3 green chilies
2-3 cloves of garlic
1/2 inch piece of ginger
1 bay leaf
3-4 cloves
5-6 peppercorns
2-3 cardamom pods
1 small stick of cinammon
1 tsp coriander pdr
1 tsp cumin pdr
1 tsp garam masala
1/4 cup yogurt
juice of one lime
1-2 tbsp. of oil
1 tsp of salt
1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper

Directions:
Grind together cilantro, chilies, spring onions, garlic, ginger and lime juice to a fine paste.
Heat oil in a medium saucepan.
Temper with bay leaf, cloves, peppercorns, cardamoms and cinnamon.
Once a nice aroma emanates from the spices, add in the green ground paste.
Sauté the paste well for a few mins.
Throw in the chicken, coriander pdr, cumin pdr, salt and pepper.
Mix well to evenly coat the pieces with the paste and spices.
Cover and cook till the chicken is almost done.
Now add in the yogurt and garam masala pdr. Cook for 5 more mins.
Taste to balance the flavors.






Carrot Rice

Ingredients:
1-2 grated carrots
1/2 cup chopped onions
1 bay leaf
1 cup basmati rice, washed and dried for 15 mins
2 cups of water
salt
1-2 tbsp. of oil

Directions:
In a medium saucepan, heat up the oil.
Add in the bay leaf and chopped onions.
Sauté till the onions turn pink.
Stir in the grated carrots and salt.
Keep stirring till the carrots release their water and the whole mixture gets a lovely orange hue.
Add in the rice and mix well.
Add in the water and bring to a boil.
Cover with a lid and lower the temp and cook till the rice absorbs all the water and is done.
Open the lid to check and fluff up the rice with a fork.




Carrot rice is ready to be served with Cilantro chicken.











 

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