Chicken Soup Tamil Style

Ingredients

• - 500g chicken with bone
• - 3 tbsp sesame oil or oil
• - 2 large onions
• - 2 tomatoes
• - 1 tbsp ginger-garlic paste
• - 1 tsp red chilli powder
• - 1 tsp coriander powder
• - 1/2 tsp turmeric
• - 1/2 tsp garam masala
• - 1 sprig curry leaves
• - Salt to taste
• - Fresh coriander

Method

1. Prepare country chicken: Use 500g nattu kozhi (country chicken) or regular chicken pieces. Wash well.
2. Make Tamil spice blend: Coarsely crush 2 tsp black peppercorns, 1 tsp cumin seeds, 5 garlic cloves, 1-inch ginger, half tsp fennel seeds and 2 dried red chillies.
3. Boil chicken with spices: In a pot add chicken, 5 cups water, the crushed spice blend, 1 tsp turmeric and salt. Bring to a boil.
4. Skim foam: As it boils foam will rise — skim it off with a spoon for a clear golden soup.
5. Simmer long: Reduce heat to low and simmer covered for 35-40 minutes for country chicken, 20-25 minutes for regular chicken.
6. Test chicken: The meat should fall easily off the bone when poked with a fork.
7. Remove chicken: Take out pieces, shred the meat off the bones. Discard bones. Return shredded meat to the soup.
8. Adjust seasoning: The soup should be golden-brown, peppery and deeply flavoured from the bones. Add salt.
9. Make tempering: Heat 1 tbsp ghee. Add 1 tsp cumin seeds and a sprig of curry leaves. Pour into the soup.
10. Serve: Garnish with fresh coriander and sliced ginger. Serve hot in deep bowls. Tamil chicken soup is a restorative and warming dish.