Chicken Ularthiyathu (Kerala style)

Recipe of Chef Vicky Ratnani!
A southern recipe from the state of Kerala.

This is a delicious dish!
Drumsticks are coated with roasted masala and goes very well lemon rice!

Ingredients:
Chicken drumsticks-6,

For the dry roast-
Cinnamon sticks-2,
Green cardamom-5,
Cloves- 4,
Aniseeds-1 tsp,
Cumin seeds-1 tbsp-(I have used 1 tsp)
Fresh coconut -2 tbsp.

For the chicken-
Red chilli-3/4 tsp,
Coriander pwd-1 tbsp,
Turmeric pwd-1/2 tsp.

For the gravy:
Oil- 4 tsp,
Onion-2-small-sliced,
Curry leaves-7 to 8,
Garlic chopped-2 tsp,
Vinegar- 3tsp,
Salt to taste,
water.

Method:
Wash the chicken drumsticks and leave it in a strainer for the water to drain out. 
Once the water is drained,make slits on the drumsticks.
Keep in a bowl.

Dry roast cinnamon sticks,green cardamom,cloves,aniseed,cumin seeds for few minutes on a flat pan

.Once the seeds change colour,add the grated coconut and roast for few minutes.

Remove from heat and spread it on a plate to cool.

Once it is at room temperature,grind it in a grinder.

Marinate the chicken drumstick with red chilli pwd,coriander pwd,turmeric pwd and the roasted ground masala.

Mix and rub the spices evenly.

Let the drumstick marinate in the fridge for few hours or you can keep it overnight and make it the next day.

Heat oil and add the mustard seeds.

Once the seeds crackle,add curry leaves and chopped garlic.

Once the garlic is lightly fried,add the sliced onions.

Onions have to be lightly pink and then add 3tsp of vinegar to de-glaze it.

Add the marinated drumsticks with the masala.

Add salt.

On medium high heat,stir the drumsticks for ten minutes.
Keep tossing and turning the drumsticks to evenly brown all sides.

Add enough water to cover half way through.
Mix and let the gravy come to boil.

Cook on low heat till the chicken is tender ( approx 25  minutes)

Once the drumstick are tender,remove the lid.

Raise the heat and dry the water.

Close gas once the water dries out.
Cover and let it stay for 5 minutes in the pot.

Serve and enjoy with lemon rice!
Serves 3