Murgh Xaguti Masala or Goan Chicken Curry

Ingredients:
2 tablespoon(s) oil
2 onions finely chopped
12 medium pieces (about 800 grams) of chicken
½ teaspoon(s) turmeric powder
2 cup(s) water
salt to taste
1 tablespoon(s) tamarind pulp
½ teaspoon(s) equal mix of mace and nutmeg powders For the Paste
1 cup(s) grated coconut
10 whole dry red Kashmiri chillies
4 cloves
2 cinnamon sticks of 1" each
2 tablespoon(s) each coriander and poppy seeds (khus khus)
1 teaspoon(s) each of black peppercorns, carom and cumin seeds
2 star anise (phoolpatri)
1 tsp garlic paste

1. Dry roast the grated coconut in a non-stick pan on low heat stirring every
now and then for about 3 minutes or till it is reddish-brown and aromatic.
Remove onto a plate. In the same pan dry roast all other ingredients for the
paste except the garlic briefly till they turn a shade darker and give off an
aroma. Grind to a paste with the coconut, garlic and water as required to
make a thick fine paste.
2. Heat the oil in a thick-bottomed pan and add the onions. Sauté on medium
level for about 4 minutes or till they are browned.
3. Add the chicken pieces and fry on medium-low heat for about 5 minutes or
till golden on all sides.
4. Add the ground paste and turmeric powder. Fry on medium-low heat for
about 5 minutes till oil separates
5. Add water, salt and mix well. Bring to a boil. Add the tamarind pulp and the
mace-nutmeg powders. Cover and simmer low heat for about 12 minutes
or till the chicken is fully cooked and tender.

TIP:
6. Traditionally, chicken is cut into comparatively smaller pieces for this recipe.