Warning: May contain nuts!
Hey daaaaahlings! Hope you all had a fab Valentine’s Day. I got to admit, mine wasn’t the most memorable, not unless you consider tackling a backlog of laundry highly romantic. I got to admit, I do love the smell and feel of hot clothes fresh out of the dryer, but it’s kind of not the same thing as a huge box of expensive chocolates and long stemmed roses, ya know? The day was about spending quality time with my iron, ironing clothes while watching the Barefoot Contessa. Yeah, there was some Valentine’s action I tell you LOL, just not the type that romantic novels are written about. It’s a good thing I took the liberty of ordering a present or two for myself over the internet 
. I can assure you, had Mr P gone the traditional route of flowers and chocolate, it would have been cheaper for him than giving me access to his credit card. That being said, I did have a great weekend. On Sunday Mr P drove us to London for the day and we caught an amazing performance by Cirque du Soliel and had some fabulous eats along the way. How about you?
What did I do for Mr P? Not much LOL, I tired myself out ironing. When it comes to Mr P, the way to his heart is through his stomach, particularly a good savoury curry, so for that reason I am always looking for fabulous Indian dishes, something a bit special and out of the ordinary. I have never seen a korma recipe using pistachios before. What an inspired idea! I don’t know why I never thought of it. I saw this recipe on a website about a week ago, and I have thought about it every day since. It was calling my name, probably because it has all those pistachios in it. I am just a sucker for anything with pistachios. Do you know who was nutty for pistachios? The Queen of Sheba! She actually demanded that all of the pistachios that were grown in her realm were set aside for her alone. Much like the exotic queen, I too am a revered and stunning creature on the outside, and positively nutty on the inside. So really, this dish is just perfect for me and my favourite little fusspot. Actually, it was pretty amazing. It got the hubbykins seal of approval. I hope it will get yours too.
The following recipe has been slightly adapted from here.
Pistachio Chicken Korma
serves 4
- four small onions (about 400 grams)
- 3/4 cup pistachio kernels
- 4 green chillies, deseeded
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 1/2 teaspoons of grated ginger
- 3 cloves of garlic, peeled and minced
- 1 tbs coriander powder
- 1 tsp white pepper powder
- 1 kg diced chicken thigh fillets (skin and fat removed)
- Salt to taste
- ¾ cup yogurt
- ½ cup cream
- ½ tsp garam masala
- 7 green cardamom pods, bruised
Boil onions in water, drain, cool, and squeeze out as much water from the onions as you can. Puree in a food processor.
Puree pistachios and green chilli, keeping a few nuts aside for garnish.
Heat the oil and add the onions and sauté for four minutes, do not brown. Add ginger and garlic paste. Fry for one minute and stir in coriander and pepper powders. Add pistachio and green chilli paste and cook for about a minute.
Put in the chicken with the salt and mix well. Add a little water (I added 3/4 cup), cardamom pods, and cook gently until done. Stir in the yogurt and cook for a further two minutes.
Add cream and garam masala. Garnish with pistachio nuts and serve hot over white rice.
My computer has been down – well, my service provider!!!! Updating = for 2 days!!!! unreal! Anyway…this recipe really looks divine. Two questions:
1. Are green cardomom pods the same as the green seeds?
2. How do you bruise them… really, I don’t know. An herb I know how to bruise.
This is clearly a very rich, aromatic and mild dish that I would love to “try” on my fuss pot.
The photo graph is lovely and the art work perfect for adding just the right amount of pretense to this piece!!!
Miss Queen!
Valerie
Ooh, I love this recipe and the photo is so enticing! I’ve got to give this one a try!!
Yes, please! I love the idea of pistachios – such a delicious idea. This is such a comfort meal in all of its spicy, creamy goodness. Mr. P must of been very happy!
This chicken korma looks incredible! I love all types of Indian food…I will have to give this recipe a try!
I spent a similar Valentine’s day hahahahahaha but who cares about romance when you have that lovely stew!!
MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM,..Your chicken korma looks amazing & just fabulous, just like you, darling!
Oh yum! We would call it Mughlai but what’s in the name
I have been trying to catch up on my blogging as well as my blog reading. Have not been on the computer much and when I am it sometimes takes me all day just to comment! Sheesh! I am so glad I didn’t miss this one it looks fantastic! I feel the same way about nuts and recipes that are a little different. I bookmarked this right away!
I can just picture you on Valentines Day….slaving away over a hot dryer
Now you must tell me…what laundry soap do you use and do you use a fabric softener?