Methi Chicken (Chicken with dried funegreek leaves)

Most Indian spices and herbs are not available in Slovenia. Therefore, this time from my visit to India, I brought with me a good supply of the spices that are not available here. Among those is Kasoori methi (dried fenugreek leaves). I love the flavor and smell of fenugreek and it goes equally well with both vegetables and meat. Though I am in search of fenugreek plant in the herbariums, I really doubt the chance of getting it. Nevertheless, for now, I have my supply of Kasoori methi. Thus, for some time, I was planning to do this chicken with methi and finally did it. What I love about this recipe is that it is rich, and yet in a way subtle. And I simply love the flavor of funegreek.

INGREDIENTS:

500g chicken
125g yoghurt
3tbsp Kasoori methi
1sp coriander powder
1/2sp turmeric powder
1/2sp chili powder
1 big onion
1 clove garlic
2 inches ginger
1 big tomato
1-2 bay leaves
1-3 cardamom
1 inch cinnamon
4-5 cloves
Whole black pepper (few)
Salt
Sugar
Oil
Garam masala powder (a pinch)

METHOD:

1. Wash and dry the chicken pieces.
2. Beat the yoghurt.
3. Thinly slice the onion and grate the ginger and garlic.
4. Chop the tomato into small pieces.
5. Heat oil in a wok.
6. Add bay leaves, cardamom, cinnamon, clove and pepper. Let it crackle.
7. Add onion, ginger and garlic. Cook on low heat until it is soft and starts getting color.
8. Add tomato, and all the spices (turmeric powder, coriander powder, chili powder, sugar).
9. Cook on low heat until the tomato softens and the masala (the spiced mixture) leaves oil.
10. Add the chicken pieces and mix well with the spices.
11. Cook on medium heat for 10 mins.
12. Add beaten yoghurt, a little bit of water and salt.
13. Cook on low-medium heat until the chicken is cooked.
14. Add the Kasoori methi and a pinch of garam masala powder.
15. Cook a couple of minutes more and it is ready to serve.

NOTE:
The amount of Kasoori methi and chili powder can be increased depending on preference.
Chicken can be substituted by paneer or vegetables like cauliflower etc.
If it is too dry, to increase the quantity of gravy add a little yoghurt and water.