Indian cooking has continuously been known for its special flavors and differences. Each state has its own food. Fair as dal and parathas are well known in North India, dosa, idli and hot curry have uncommon importance in South India. Chettinad chicken curry is a celebrated dish in Tamil Nadu. This dish is not a fair thing to eat but an involvement, in which a rich taste, convention and flavors are covered up. The greatest feature of this curry is that everybody who eats it recalls its taste for a long time. That is why this dish has ended up prevalent among individuals not as it were in Tamil Nadu but moreover all over India and overseas.
The history of Chettinad cuisine
The history of Chettinad cooking is exceptionally ancient. These dishes are related to the "Chettiar community" of Tamil Nadu. This community has been exchanging since old times and utilized to offer their products to remote nations. Travelling to distant lands gave them an experience of different spices and food habits. That's why their dishes get a special taste.
Chettinad food is celebrated for its sharpness and profundity. People here always use spices in fresh form. That is, the spices are first roasted and then grinded and added to the curry. This enhances the taste and aroma of the food. Apart from chicken curry, Chettinad mutton curry, dosa and special biryani are also famous here. If one goes to South India and does not eat Chettinad nourishment at that point his travel is considered fragmented.
Chettinad chicken curry
The forte of Chettinad chicken curry makes it diverse from other dishes. This dish is known for its sharp taste and smell of flavors. The spices used in it are not ordinary. They are specially prepared so that a layer of taste is felt in each morsel.
The red colour that comes in this curry is not just from the chillies but from the combination of spices. The mild sweetness of fennel, the tinge of black pepper and the darkness of coriander make it very balanced. This curry is eaten with rice, dosa, paratha and appam. The joy of eating together on any festival, special occasion or with the family increases when Chettinad chicken curry is placed on the table.
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Spices: The life of this dish
The taste of Chettinad chicken curry comes from the spices itself. People here always use fresh spices. These spices are first roasted dry so that their fragrance and taste can come out openly. Then they are mixed and made into a paste.
- Dry red chillies - This gives the curry a beautiful red colour and increases the pungency.
- Black pepper - It has a mild taste and gives a mild bitterness.
- Coriander Seeds - These make curry thicker and also enhance the aroma.
- Saunf- The sweetness of fennel balances the taste.
- Cinnamon, cloves and cardamom - these spices bring warmth and aroma.
- Curry leaves - the identity of South Indian food, which makes every dish special.
The combination of these spices is what makes this curry so different and special.
How to make Chettinad chicken curry
The process of making Chettinad chicken curry is a bit long, but every step of it makes the taste even better. First, clean and wash the chicken. It is then marinated with turmeric and salt. The marination adds flavour to the chicken. After that, the sauce is prepared. For this, dry red chillies, coriander, black pepper, fennel and other spices are roasted on low heat and then grinded to a paste.
For the gravy, fry onions, tomatoes and ginger-garlic in oil. When it turns golden brown, add the prepared masala paste to it and cook well. Now put the marinated chicken in it and cook on low flame so that the spices go well inside. At the conclusion, curry clears out and coconut drain is included. Coconut drain gives the curry a thickness and a gentle sweetness. When it is completely cooked, it spreads a profound scent. This is the moment when everyone's mind immediately goes to eat.
How To Eat Chettinad Chicken Curry
Chettinad chicken curry is so versatile that it can be eaten in many ways.
- It is eaten hot with steamed rice.
- In South India, people also like it with dosa and appam.
- On festivals and special occasions, it is served with paratha or puri.
- This curry is also available in combo with biryani in hotels and restaurants. It tastes different in every meal.
Cultural significance
Chettinad chicken curry is not a fair dish, it is a part of the culture and convention of Tamil Nadu. This dish reflects the way of life of the individuals there and their neighborliness. This curry is a must-have on any extraordinary event or family occasion in the Chettinad region.
This dish moreover appears how straightforward flavors, if utilized accurately, can make a special taste. That is why Chettinad chicken curry has become the character of Tamil Nadu all over the world nowadays.
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Conclusion
Chettinad chicken curry is not a delicacy, but a social legacy of Tamil Nadu. It educates us how the right utilization of flavors and conventional cooking makes a basic dish special.
If you need to taste the genuine enhancement of South India, attempt the Chettinad chicken curry. You'll discover this dish in each supper.
Will feel the treasure of spices and tradition.
