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No toasting or grinding spices, no stuffing chili peppers, and no hard to find ingredients. This easy, fuss-free Pakistani & North Indian-style Achari Chicken recipe requires one pot and takes less than 50 minutes to make.

Achari-Chicken
Achari-Chicken

WHAT IS ACHARI CHICKEN?

Achari Chicken is a chicken curry made with ingredients used to make achaar, or South Asian pickle. So while the chicken itself isn’t pickled, it’s livened up with a zesty, tangy, ‘pickled’ flavor.

Ingredients that make Achari Chicken curry different from a regular chicken curry are:

  • Seeds or whole spices used to make achar.
  • Whole green chili peppers, sometimes stuffed with achari spices.
  • Yogurt, which gives it a richer, tangy base.

Method of Pakistani Achari Chicken

In terms of method, it cooks like PAKISTANI CHICKEN KARAHI in that the curry is cooked down with an extra dose of tomatoes.

ACHARI CHICKEN
ACHARI CHICKEN

NOTES ON THE INGREDIENTS FOR ACHARI CHICKEN

In addition to foundational curry ingredients, Achari Chicken requires a few extra ingredients. Here are some notes on them:

Achari-Chicken-Ingredients
Achari-Chicken-Ingredients
  • Fenugreek Seeds (Methi Dana) – Fenugreek seeds are an essential ingredient for Achari Chicken. Though they give a punchy flavor, they can be quite bitter, so feel free to reduce the amount if you find it too strong.
  • Nigella Seeds (Kalonji) – Nigella Sativa, not to be confused with onion seeds, are another essential ingredient.
  • I’ve kept them minimal because they can taste quite strong. If you want them more visible throughout the curry, feel free to increase these by another 1/4 teaspoon. (More recipes that use Nigella Seeds: Haleem and Gluten-free Naan.)
  • Fennel Seeds (Saunf) – The mild, sweeter flavor of fennel seeds helps offset some of the bitter flavors of the fenugreek and nigella.
  • Chicken pieces: Like Karahi, Achari Chicken is made with a whole chicken that’s cut up into small to medium pieces, also called karahi cut (~18 pieces). I prefer it with bone-in chicken, but I’ve shared how to make this curry using boneless chicken below.
  • Green Chili Peppers: Large, mild green chili peppers are sometimes stuffed with achari masala (or a blend of achari spices + lemon) and added to Achari Chicken.
  • To keep things simple, I’ve added a few unstuffed whole chili peppers (such as Serrano or Thai chilis) toward the end of cooking.
    • Achari-Chicken
  • Yogurt – Use plain, whole milk (full-fat) yogurt. Yogurt substitutes: I haven’t tried these myself, but coconut milk/cream, dairy-free yogurt, or cashew paste would all work here.
  • Oil – You can use any neutral oil, and even a bit of mustard oil if you’d like.
    • Mustard Oil – Mustard oil, a pungent oil made from mustard seeds, is often used to make Achari Chicken. My father-in-law once told me that when he was a child, his mom used mustard oil to make curries. Here in the U.S., it’s banned for consumption due to high levels of erucic acid (Source). Though I haven’t tried it myself yet, if you’re comfortable using it, a small amount would be perfect here.
ACHARI CHICKEN

ACHARI CHICKEN

No toasting or grinding spices, no stuffing chili peppers, and no hard to find ingredients. This easy, fuss-free Pakistani & North Indian-style Achari Chicken recipe requires one pot and takes less than 50 minutes to make.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Course lunch
Cuisine Pakistani
Servings 6 People
Calories 329 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 Karahi

Ingredients
  

  • cup neutral oil
  • 2 tsp fenugreek seeds, methi dana
  • 2 tsp  fennel seeds, saunf
  • 1 tsp nigella seeds, kalonji
  • 1 tsp  cumin seeds, zeera
  • 1 medium to large (~250-270 g) onion, finely chopped
  • 8  garlic cloves, crushed
  • 1 inch ginger, crushed
  • 2 lb   bone-in cut up, skinless chicken pieces , (preferably cut small – See Note 1)
  • 2 tsp  kosher salt, divided
  • 3  small (~270-290 g) tomatoes (I use Roma), finely chopped
  • 2  green chili peppers , such as Serrano or Thai chili, chopped or sliced
  • 1 tsp coriander powder
  • 1 tsp  red chili powder, or to taste
  • ¾ tsp turmeric powder
  • ¼ cup  plain, whole milk yogurt (See Note 2), whisked
  • 4  whole green chili peppers, such as Serrano or Thai chili

Garnish

  • 2 tsp  freshly squeezed lemon juice, or to taste
  • 2 tbsp  cilantro, chopped
  • ½ tbsp  julienned ginger, optional, for garnish

Instructions
 

  • Heat a large, heavy-bottomed pan over medium-high heat. Once hot, heat the oil and add the fenugreek seeds, fennel seeds, nigella seeds, and cumin seeds. The seeds will begin to sizzle. Immediately add the onions and sauté until they are lightly golden (~10-12 min). If needed, deglaze the pan with 2 tbsp of water. Once the water dries up, add the garlic and ginger and sauté for a minute, until aromatic.
  • Add the chicken and 1/2 tsp salt and sauté for 5 minutes, until it changes color. Add the tomatoes, green chili pepper, coriander powder, red chili powder, turmeric powder, and remaining salt (1 ½ tsp). Continue to sauté until the tomatoes soften (~2-3 min). Add 1/3 cup water (the water should cover about 1/3 of the chicken) and bring to a boil.
  • Lower the heat to a simmer (low-medium), cover, and allow the chicken to cook for 20-25 minutes (depending on size), stirring once in between.
  • Uncover and raise the heat to high. Sauté for 4-5 minutes to reduce excess liquid. You will notice the chicken taking on a glossy appearance as the oil starts to separate, but it’ll still have plenty of curry.
  • Lower the heat to low-medium and stir in the whisked yogurt. Add the whole green chili peppers. Gently sauté for 2-3 minutes until well incorporated and you can see the oil separated from the curry. Taste and adjust salt, if needed. (I usually need another 1/8 tsp.)
  • Turn off the heat. Add lemon juice and stir to mix. Garnish with cilantro and julienned ginger. Serve hot with naan, roti, paratha, or other bread.

Video

Notes

Note 1: Achari Chicken is typically made with smaller, cut up chicken pieces, also called karahi cut. See post for how to use boneless chicken.
 
Note 2: To prevent yogurt from curdling, try to have it closer to room temperature and continue to stir while adding.
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WHAT IS KASHMIRI CHAI (PINK TEA) AND WHAT MAKES IT SPECIAL?

Kashmiris don’t actually call their chai “Kashmiri Chai”. KASHMIRI CHAIThat’s the term used by Pakistanis and Indians to describe the Kashmiri Noon Chai (translated to Salt Tea). As the name suggests, Noon chai is a salty drink, but has gained popularity across Pakistan as a sweet concoction.

Often called Pink Tea, Kashmiri chai is a milk tea characterized by its dusty pink color and garnishing of crushed nuts. It’s brewed with green tea leaves and baking soda, and then mixed with milk to give it a distinct pink color.

Even within Pakistan, Kashmiri Chai is a bit of a delicacy because of thehttps://www.teaforturmeric.com/20-minute-kashmiri-chai-pink-tea/ long,somewhat arduous process of making it.

KASHMIRI CHAI

KASHMIRI CHAI

HOW I DEVELOPED THIS RECIPE

To be honest, I felt a bit of imposter syndrome while developing this recipe. Because 1) I’m not Kashmiri and didn’t actually grow up in Pakistan, where it’s a treat often served at winter weddings. And 2) I didn’t want to downplay the art of making an authentic cup of Kashmiri chai. Here’s a Kashmiri Tea Connoisseur’s take on this.

But, I did want to make an easy, fool-proof version that’s doable for the majority of us while honoring Kashmir’s beautiful tea culture. So what started as a quick, expectation-free experiment soon became a possibility. And I found myselfgleefully preparing it every night, timing myself and obsessing over the shade of pink To compare, we tried it at several spots around Houston and noted that this 20-minute version is more pronounced in flavor and aroma without being heavy

KASHMIRI CHAI

KASHMIRI CHAI

Instead of hours over the stove, this easy, one-pot Kashmiri Chai recipe takes less than 20 minutes to make! This is not a traditional Noon Chai recipe, but an accessible version that’s still delicious (and pink)! See notes on how to make it with regular green tea leaves if you can’t find Kashmiri tea leaves.
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Course Drinks
Cuisine Kashmiri
Servings 2 People
Calories 187 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 Sauce Pan

Ingredients
  

For Ice Water

  • 1 cup  room temperature water
  • 3 large ice cubes

For Kashmiri Chai

  • 1 cup water
  • 2 tbsp  Kashmiri chai leaves, or sub any non-bitter green tea leaves
  • 2 star anise (badiyan)
  • 8 green cardamom pods
  • 2  whole cloves (loung), optional
  • 1 cinnamon stick, optional
  • tsp heaped baking soda
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • ½ cup half and half (See Note 1)
  • ¼ tsp  kosher salt – may need less if using sea salt, or to taste
  • 2.5 tsp sweetener of choice, I've tried cane sugar, brown sugar, and date syrup

For Serving (Optional)

  • 1 tbsp raw almonds, crushed using mortar and pestle
  • ½ tbsp  unsalted pistachios, crushed using mortar and pestle

Instructions
 

  • Prepare ice water: Combine room temperature water with 2-3 large ice cubes and set aside.
  • Heat a medium saucepan over high heat. Add water, Kashmiri chai leaves, star anise, green cardamom pods, cloves and cinnamon (if using) and bring to a boil.
  • Once it comes to a boil, add the baking soda. It’ll fizz a little. Allow this mixture to boil over high heat for 5-6 minutes. Occasionally, use a ladle to aerate (scoop and pour back) the tea. You’ll notice the froth in the water go from pale green to a deep pink color. If not, add another 1/8 tsp of baking soda. (See Note 2) The water will be greatly reduced, almost evaporated.
  • Add the prepared ice water (discard any ice cubes). If you’d like, you can aerate several times to deepen the color. Add the milk, half & half, salt, and sweetener. Allow it to a come to a light boil, then immediately turn off the heat. Do not allow it to boil for too long as it'll start to lose some of its pink color. Taste and adjust salt and sweetener.
  • Strain the tea into cups and add crushed almonds and pistachios, as desired.

Video

Notes

 Or any combination of half & half + milk. If you prefer it lighter, replace the half & half with milk. Likewise, if you prefer it richer, increase the half & half and decrease the milk. You can also sub half & half with 1 part heavy whipping cream + 1 part milk.
: If, after adding more baking soda, it’s still not turning pink, then try using different green tea leaves. 
Keyword authentic kashmiri chai recipe, easy kashmiri chai recipe, kashmiri chai recipe by chef gulzar, kashmiri chai recipe by ijaz ansari, kashmiri chai recipe in urdu, kashmiri chai recipe pakistani, kashmiri chai recipe video

A FEW NOTES ON THE INGREDIENTS OF BAINGAN BHARTA

  • Eggplants – Select small to medium globe variety eggplants that weigh around 1000 g in total. Here’s a quick guide on choosing eggplants.
  • Ghee and Oil – I love mixing both to get the fluidity of the oil and taste of ghee.
  • Spices – Too many spices can clutter the remarkable smoky flavor, so I like to keep them to a minimum. Similar to Sarson Ka Saag, Baingan Bharta doesn’t need many spices.
  • Green chili pepper – Adding the green chili pepper toward the end keeps its aroma and adds a little extra of heat. Both Thai green chili peppers or Serrano would work, though sometimes Serrano can be too strong and spicy to add at the end
BAINGAN BHARTA

BAINGAN BHARTA

This easy Baingan Bharta (Smoked Eggplant/Aubergine Curry) recipe uses your oven to achieve the smoky flavor of authentic Baingan Bharta. This recipe includes step-by-step pictures and a quick video tutorial. Tested to perfection!
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Course lunch
Cuisine Punjabi
Servings 3 People
Calories 294 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 strainer

Ingredients
  

  • 2 small eggplants (globe variety)
  • 3 tbsp ghee
  • 3 tbsp neutral oil such as canola or grapeseed
  • 3 tbsp cumin seeds
  • 1  small onion, finely chopped
  • 4  garlic cloves, crushed
  • ½ inch piece ginger, crushed
  • 2  small tomatoes, finely chopped
  • ½ tsp heaped salt, or more to taste
  • 1 tsp paprika powder, regular or smoked
  • ½  red chili powder, or more to taste
  • ¼ tsp turmeric powder
  • 1 small green chili pepper (such as Thai or Serrano), sliced or chopped
  • 1 tbsp chopped cilantro
  • ½ tsp  juice of freshly squeezed lemon
  • ¼ tsp garam masala optional

Instructions
 

To Roast the Eggplant in the Oven

  • Set your oven rack so that your eggplants will be as close as possible to the heat source. Use a fork or knife to poke holes throughout the eggplant to prevent it from bursting in the oven.
  • Preheat your broiler on High (550 degrees F/287 C). Line a sheet pan with aluminum foil for easy cleanup. Roast the eggplants for about 30 minutes, turning midway. The skin will blacken and the eggplant may burst a little.
  • Once the eggplant cools down (you can place it in a bowl of water to speed this up) peel the blackened skin, remove the stem and coarsely mash its flesh. I like to do this using the "pulse" function of my food processor. Set aside.

To make the Curry

  • Heat ghee and oil in a skillet a little over medium heat and add the cumin seeds. They will start to sputter. Immediately add the onion and sauté for 5-8 minutes, or until slightly golden. Add the garlic and ginger and continue to sauté until the raw smell disappears, or about 20 seconds. Add the tomatoes and cook until they're soft and the oil starts to leave the sides, about 5 minutes. Add a bit of water (if needed so the spices don't get burnt) and add the salt, paprika, red chili, and turmeric.
  • Add the mashed eggplant and green chili peppers and cook, stirring often, until it is well cooked and becomes mushy like a purée, about 8-10 minutes. Taste and add oil, salt or paprika (for more color) as needed.
  • Turn off the heat. Stir in the chopped cilantro leaves. Sprinkle lemon juice and garam masala over it. Serve with naan, roti or other bread. I like to eat it with some yogurt on the side to add some coolness to the dish.

Video

Keyword baingan ka bharta – pakistani recipe, baingan ka bharta baba food, baingan ka bharta english name, baingan ka bharta recipe, easy baingan ka bharta

Shami kabab are tender patties made with beef and chana dal (yellow split peas), and then dipped in eggs and pan-fried. These kebabs are kid-friendly, naturally gluten-free, and so wholesome! This easy recipe makes a large batch to enjoy some now, and freeze the rest for later!

if you’re Pakistani, it’s likely your mom/relative/aunty has a shami kabab freezer stash waiting for the next unexpected guest, hungry child, or lazy evening to strike.

It’s a somewhat prevalent practice, and with good reason. It means when life gets busy, there will be shami kebabs within arm’s reach. Silky, wholesome, deeply flavorful kebabs ready to be thawed, pan-fried and served to a someone who’ll likely be grateful for them. SHAMI KEBAB

THE HISTORY BEHIND SHAMI KEBAB

Shami kebabs were actually brought to South Asia by the Syrians. In Urdu, the word “Sham” refers to ‘Syria’. Eventually, they were picked up and popularized in Mughlai cuisine.

To learn more about the origins and culture of Shami Kabab, check out this beautifully written piece by my friend Maryam, founder of the Saveur-award winning blog Pakistan Eats.

USING BEEF STEW MEAT VS GROUND MEAT

Shami Kabab purists will, rightly so, insist that beef chunks should be used instead of ground beef. This lends them the traditional, silky texture with ‘resha’, as is often said in Urdu. I grew up with the ground beef version and that’s what I typically use. I hope to try it with beef ‘boti’ sometime and I’ll update you when I do.

The main difference will be an increase in cooking time (typically 45 min in the Instant Pot). You will also have to run the beef stew pieces in the food processor first, similar to haleem.

SHAMI KEBAB
#Shami Kabab

Shami kabab are not only freezer friendly – as in no detectable change in texture, quality, or taste – they’re also incredibly versatile. Have them with your afternoon chai, as a side to make any dinner menu more abundant, or, my favorite, in a shami kebab sandwich drizzled with ketchup or hot and sour sauce.

SHAMI KEBAB

SHAMI KABAB

Shami kabab are tender patties made with beef and chana dal (yellow split peas), and then dipped in eggs and pan-fried. These kebabs are kid-friendly, naturally gluten-free, and so wholesome! This easy recipe makes a large batch to enjoy some now, and freeze the rest for later!
Prep Time 50 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 20 minutes
Course Side snaks
Cuisine Punjabi
Servings 20 people
Calories 149 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 cooker

Ingredients
  

  • 1 tbsp  coriander seeds
  • 2 tsp  whole black peppercorns
  • 2 inch  piece cinnamon stick, broken into a couple pieces
  • 1 small black cardamom
  • 2 green cardamom pods, seeds removed and pod discarded
  • 8 whole cloves
  • 1 tsp toasted or regular cumin seeds

To cook

  • 1.5 lb  ground beef, (preferably full-fat)
  • 1 cup (195 g) chana dal (yellow split peas), washed and soaked for at least 1 hour (up to overnight), then drained
  • 4 cup  water for Instant Pot or 4 1/2 cups water for stovetop
  • 1  medium to large onion, roughly chopped
  • 10 garlic cloves, leave whole – will be crushed later
  • 11/2 inch  piece ginger, minced or crushed
  • 1 medium bay leaf
  • 1 tbsp red chili flakes
  • 1 tsp  cumin seeds
  • 3 tsp  kosher salt – See note 3, will need less if using regular table salt or sea salt
  • ½ tsp chaat masala

To chop

  • 1 (~80 g) small onion, coarsely chopped
  • 1 thai or Serrano green chili pepper, thinly sliced
  • ½ cup cilantro leaves
  • 2 tbsp  mint leaves

Mixing

  • 1 egg whisked

TO Frying pan or baking

  • neutral oil, as needed
  • 2 egg whisked

Instructions
 

  • Add all of the ingredients listed under ‘Whole Spices’ to a spice grinder and grind until a powder is formed. You may also crush them in a mortar and pestle, though this will be more tedious. This will come to around 2 ½ tbsp ground spices. Set aside.

Instant pot instructions

  • In the Instant Pot, add all of the ingredients listed under ‘To Cook’ as well as the freshly ground spices. Mix very well to combine. (No need to more water than indicated even though it looks dry.)
  • Secure the lid and set the Pressure Release to Sealing. Select the Pressure Cook setting and set the cook time for 20 minutes at high pressure.
  • Let the pressure release naturally for 5 minutes, and then move the Pressure Release to Venting to release any remaining steam. Open the pot and select the Sauté – High setting.
  • Sauté, stirring often, for 20 minutes, or until all the moisture has evaporated and the mixture starts sticking to the bottom. (See Note 1) Press Cancel to turn off the Instant pot and allow to cool. If you have the time, refrigerate overnight and they'll be even easier to shape. Remove the bay leaf.

Stove top instructions

  • In a medium, lightweight Dutch oven or pot, add all of the ingredients listed under 'To Cook' along with the freshly ground spices and 4 1/2 cups of water. Mix well to combine. Cover to bring to a boil over high heat. Use a slotted spoon to skim off any scum that rises to the surface. 
  • Place the lid ajar and continue to cook on high heat for 50 minutes to 1 hour (depending on thickness of your pot), stirring occasionally, until the chana dal (yellow split peas) is completely cooked. During the last 15-20 minutes, stir frequently to completely evaporate any moisture. The mixture will start sticking to the bottom of the pan. (See Note 1) Turn off the heat and allow to cool. If you have the time, refrigerate overnight and they'll be even easier to shape. Remove the bay leaf.

After cooking

  • Combine the onion, green chili pepper, cilantro, and mint in the bowl of a food processor. Use the pulse setting to finely chop (but not blend) this mixture. Transfer to a large bowl.
  • Add the cooled beef and lentil mixture to the food processor. In batches, process this mixture until as smooth as possible (~1 min). Transfer this mixture to the bowl with the chopped onion mixture. Mix well, then taste and add salt, if desired. Add the whisked egg and mix to combine.
  • Using oiled hands, shape ¼ cup heaped of the mixture into a flat, round patty about 2 3/4 inches in diameter. Continue with the rest of the mixture. You will have around 20 patties. If you wish to freeze them, do so at this point. (See Note 2)
  • Place the egg in a shallow bowl so that you can dip the kababs as you cook. Heat a large skillet, frying pan, or cast iron pan over medium-high heat. Add enough oil to coat the bottom of the pan.
  • Dip both sides of each patty into the egg wash. Place 3-5 patties in the pan and allow them to cook for 3-4 minutes on each side, using a spatula to turn them over. Be careful not to crowd them too much or it will be harder to turn them. Reduce heat as necessary.
  • Remove from the pan, and place on a plate lined with a paper towel to absorb any extra oil. Repeat until you have finished pan-frying all the patties. Cook any leftover egg in the remaining oil and serve with the patties.

Video

Notes

Note 1: The exact time will vary depending on the water content of your beef. The final mixture should be as dry as possible and begin to look more crumbly.
 
Note 2 – To freeze: As you shape the kebabs, place them on a tray and freeze 1 1/2 to 2 hours. Then carefully remove from the tray and transfer them to an airtight container or zipper storage bag.
 
Note 3: The original recipe called for 1 tbsp kosher salt (1 tbsp = 3 tsp) which I found perfect. Recently, a couple readers reported this was too much salt. To err on the side of caution, start with 2 tsp and work your way up to 3 if you think you need it.
Keyword beef shami kabab, chicken shami kabab, mutton shami kabab, shami kabab near me, shami kabab restaurant, veg shami kabab
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