What makes you tingle?
Do you know what a good curry and a good man have in common? Both should give your lips a little tingle and leave you wanting more 
. Ah ha! I see that I’ve got your attention now, you naughty bunny!
Today’s recipe comes from one of my favourite all time restaurants: I’m talking about the Lasan Restaurant in Brimingham. There are so many places where I love to eat, and it would be too hard for me to choose one as my absolute be all and end all, but I can confidently tell you that Lasan is most definitely my favourite UK restaurant outside of London. If you are ever in the Midlands I could not possibly recommend their restaurant highly enough. I double dog dare you to eat there and not leave with a big smile and a puffy belly 
!
On first taste, this chicken curry failed to deliver the “kiss that kills,” but after a few bites, I discovered that this one is the strong and silent type. At first, I found it a bit too tame for my tastes, but as I continued eating, the pepper flavour built up– not to an excess, but enough to make it’s presence known and make my lips nice and tingly.
What are you waiting for daaaaahling, spice up your life!
Chicken stewed in a Yogurt and Peppercorn Sauce
Ingredients:
- 4 chicken breasts cut into large chunks
- 3 onions, finely chopped
- 4 ripe tomatoes, finely chopped
- 2 garlic cloves
- 1 tsp ginger paste
- 1 tsp garam masala
- 1/2 tsp ground cumin
- 200ml yogurt, whisked
- 1/2 tsp turmeric
- 2 tsp brown sugar
- 15g black peppercorns, crushed
- 3/4 tsp salt
- 3 tbsp oil
Heat oil over moderate heat in a non-stick pan and saute until the onions have softened.
Add the garlic, ginger paste, garam masala, turmeric, cumin and peppercorns. Toss for two minutes, then add the chicken.
Pour in the whisked yogurt, chopped tomatoes, brown sugar and salt.
Stir and cover. Simmer over moderate heat for twenty minutes.
There is only one problem with this recipe, if you can call it a problem. It was too easy to put together. Mr P is not happy unless he has visions of his housewife mopping sweat off her brow. For you see, to Mr P, a curry isn’t authentic unless it includes hours of work and the special magical ingredient: tears of frustration. That, my dears, is why I want to try making biriyani. Biriyani is a Indian rice dish that often comes out for occasions such as weddings and major holidays. It is one of the Indian “courtly” dishes, and was a fixture among Mughal royalty. A good authentic biriyani is a labour of love, and if I am not mistaken, it is salted with housewife tears. I think, if I could just get this right, I might sway Mr P into a certain little holiday I’ve been dreaming of lately. It involves Moi, some customized Louis Vuitton luggage and lots of sunshine. I’m not above shedding a few tears in the rice pot if that is what’s in order… a girl’s gotta do what a girl’s gotta do, ya know?
For this next challenge, Stevie and I are making biriyanis and we want you to join in the fun (?). The holidays are coming my daaaahlings, and having something like this up your sleeve may be just what you need to make those wishes on your goodie list materialize!
Use any biriyani recipe you like and post your masterpiece along with us on Tuesday, November 8. Drop me an email to let me know if you are in it to win it!
Just to get you started and give you some inspiration, I’ve complied a list of some great biriyani recipes I’ve found online. While biriyani is traditionally made with red meat or chicken, this highly versatile dish also comes in seafood and veggie versions, so there is room for everyone to take part, my dears! Yes, that means you!!!
Gordon Ramsay’s Mutton Biriyani
Chicken Biriyani with Saigon Cinnamon
This looks delicious!
I adore you. Just so you know.
I know what we’re having for dinner tonight
What a lovely recipe…and an inspiring post. I hope you have a beautiful weekend, my friend. Blessings and joy from Austin.
Yum! Love pepper in curries. Did I ever tell you my first cooking experience with pepper? Yeah, under estimated the power of the peppercorn! Let’s just say, there was washing of the chicken after it was cooked….
I will pass on the biryani challenge unless you will accept one of my older posts! I did one on Hyderabadi biryani a while back. Have fun with it! I will check on yours on the 7th. Good luck!
I have read wonderful reviews regarding this restaurant. Maybe one day I’ll make the effort and go, afterall it’s not that far away from me!
Yummmm! I just love currys- such a great layering dish!
What an appetizing & lovely looking curry! Yummie all the way,…:)
I just adore curry dishes….this looks fantastic! Looks like I am a bit late to join in on the challenge but will be excited to see the goodies
Wow! A very yummy recipe again. It makes me hungry this time. This new recipe that I’ve learned now is good for this coming Christmas. Hope my family will like this new look foods. Thank you for sharing and posting this! Keep up the good work!