Seamless/Caviar/Postmates

My love for Indian food runs deep and true, but as of late, I've been eating less and less of it, mainly because my Seamless/Caviar/Postmates usage has dwindled to almost nothing--a side effect of my overall attempt to be healthier in 2017. Often, the Indian takeout I get, while undoubtedly delicious, leaves me fulling stuffed, bloated, and sleepy,... leaving me to wonder what exactly these restaurants are putting into their food. Is it tons of cream? Butter? An extravagance of salt? And then I thought, Why wonder when I can make it myself? And so, after a bit of research, I landed upon this recipe from Meera Sodha, a British cookbook author, who derived it from a dish her Indian-born mother used to make for her. The best recipes come from mums, I tend to think, and this one is no exception. It's luscious and comforting, and so much better than ordering takeout from an app. It's also fairly quick and simple to make--I managed it for an after-work Thursday night dinner. Here's the recipe. 2 large white or yellow onions, peeled and finely chopped 1 2 1/2-inch piece of ginger, peeled and grated or minced 1 3/4 to 2 pounds skinless, boneless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch chunks Melt the butter or ghee in the oil in a large Dutch oven set over medium heat, and when it is hot and shimmering, add the cumin seeds and cinnamon sticks. Cook for a minute or two, stirring often, to intensify their flavors, then add the onions. Cook, stirring occasionally until they are golden, approximately 15 to 20 minutes. Meanwhile, put the ginger, garlic, and peppers into a mortar and pestle with a pinch of salt, and smash them together into a coarse paste. (Full disclosure: I just threw it all into my food processor and pulsed until it was as smooth as it was going to get.) Add the past to the onions, and cook for 2 minutes or so, then pour in the tomatoes, and stir. Allow to cook for an additional 2 to 3 minutes, then add the tomato paste, ground cumin, ground turmeric and another pinch of salt, and stir to combine. Add the yogurt ...Read More