My pleasure, Ruthio.

CHICKEN PASANDA

Ingredients

3 tbsp ghee or vegetable oil
5cm cinnamon stick
2 green cardamom pods, lightly bruised with a rolling pin
1 small onion, finely chopped
3cm piece of ginger, finely grated
3 cloves garlic, finely crushed
1 tsp ground coriander
½ tsp turmeric
½ tsp Kashmiri chilli powder
4 small chicken breasts, each cut into chunks
200gm Greek-style yoghurt
2 tbsp ground almonds
1 tsp salt
100ml water

Method
1. Heat the ghee or the oil in a large sturdy pan over a medium heat, add the cinnamon and cardamom and fry for 30 seconds before adding the onion and frying for 10 minutes until golden.

2. Stir in the ginger and garlic and fry for 2 – 3 minutes, then stir in the ground coriander, turmeric and chilli powder and fry for 30 seconds.

3. Add the chicken and stir well, then add the yogurt, ground almonds, salt and water. Bring to simmer, reduce the heat slightly and simmer gently for 15 – 20 minutes until reduced to a thick, rich, almost dry sauce that coats the chicken.
4. Scatter over a few toasted almonds and fresh coriander leaves to serve.

(Note: Some people like to add a tablespoon of tomato puree at step 3)


LEMON RICE

Ingredients

Rice -1 cup
Sesame seed oil -1 tsp for rice
Lemon – 1 large
Cashew nuts- 8 -10
Salt to taste

For the seasoning

Oil-3 tsp
Mustard seeds -1 tsp
Channa dhal (brown or green split peas) -1 tsp
Red Chillies -1
Asafoetida -a pinch
Green chillies -2
Finely chopped ginger-1 tsp
Turmeric Powder -1/4 tsp
Curry leaves – few


Preparation

Cook rice in such a way that the grains are separate. Spread it on a plate; mix a tsp of sesame seed oil to it, so that the grains will not stick together.

Sauté cashew nuts in 1/2 tsp oil until golden brown and keep aside.

Method

Heat oil, add mustard seeds, when mustard splutters , add channa dhal, red chillies and asafoetida. When dhal turns slightly brown, add green chillies, ginger, turmeric powder, curry leaves..

Add the juice and grated rind of the lemon

Add salt, pepper, cashew nuts and rice. Mix well. Taste and see - if required add more salt and lemon juice.

Pancakes. Mine will be with lemon juice and sugar.

How will others have theirs, sweet or savoury?