Basic chicken torkari

A basic, no fuss chicken torkari that doesn't need tomatoes, yogurt, or any of the other fussy stuff!  This is a base recipe that can be modified to your liking.  Makes eight large servings.

Ingredients:

• 4 cups diced onions (Maybe 2-3 large chopped onions)
• 1 large jalapeño (use deseeded since purpose is to add fragrance to the dish)
• 4 potatoes, cubed
• 2 tbsp fresh garlic paste
• 2 tbsp fresh ginger paste
• 1 tsp toasted cumin, grounded
• 1 tsp Shan Zafrani garam masala powder
• 2 tbsp red chili powder
• Salt to taste (maybe 1/2 tbsp?)
• 2 tsp turmeric
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• 2 large bayleaves
• One whole roasting chicken, cut up

For homemade garam masala:

• 2 tsp freshly grounded cumin
• 2 tsp freshly grounded coriander seeds
• 6 elachi
• 7 cloves
• Handful of whole black peppers (around 20)

Directions:

1. Add maximum 1 cup of mustard oil to your large pot on medium heat.  I would recommend a mix of butter and mustard oil, maybe 1/3 cup each.
2. When the oil is hot, add onion, salt, bayleaves, and cinnamon sticks until onions are light brown.
3. Add homemade garam masala (not store bought) to the pot.  Stir, and add a palmful of water.
4. Continue to stir.  Add the ginger-garlic paste, chili powder, and turmeric.  Mix well.
5. Add 1-2 cups water, and mix well.  Cover on medium heat, checking to stir occasionally.  This can take 5-10 minutes.
6. When the oil has risen to the top of the spices, add the chicken and potatoes.  Stir.  
7. Keep covered for 15 minutes.  Stir every few minutes.  When the oil rises to the top, add 3-6 cups water.  
8. Cover on medium for 15-20 minutes.
9. When chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees, lower heat to medium-low.  This is the time to adjust salt.  Also, add your toasted cumin and zafrani garam masala.  You can also add finely chopped fresh coriander leaves here.  Stir well, and leave covered on low heat for 10 minutes.
10. Ready to serve!
    

This is the garam masala powder used as a finishing touch.  Do not use this as a substitute for fresh, homemade garam masala!