Chicken Stew Kerala Style

Ingredients:                                                           

1. Chicken - 1 kg (cut into pieces)
2. Onion - 2 medium sized (sliced)
3. Ginger - 1.5 inch piece (thinly chopped)
4. Green chilli - 4-5 (cut into slits)
5. Potato - 2 (cubed)
6. Coconut milk powder - 100 gms
7. Maida / All purpose flour - 1 tbsp
8. Butter - 1 tbsp
9. Vinegar - 1 tsp
10. Pearl onions / shallots - 8-10 (thinly sliced)
11. Cloves - 4-5
12. Cinnamon stick - 1 inch
13. Peppercorns - 10-12
14. Curry leaves - 3 springs
15. Salt to taste
16. Water as required

Preparation:
1. Wash and clean the chicken pieces
2. Pressure cook the chicken pieces along with onion, ginger, green chilli, 2 sprigs of curry leaves, salt and little water. Cook till 1 whistle
3. Open the pressure cooker when cooled and add the potatoes. Cook on low flames
4. Mix the coconut powder in 2 cups of warm water without any lumps and add to the cooker
5. When it boils, add 1 tbsp of maida mixed with little water. Also add the vinegar
6. Cook till the gravy becomes creamy and thick
7. Heat butter in a pan and add the cloves, cinnamon stick, peppercorns and fry shallots till golden brown
8. Add to the chicken stew and mix well
9. Garnish with the remaining curry leaves

Serve hot with appam, bread or roti