Kukuda Panikoili

Chicken is known as "Kukuda " in Odiya. As I belong to a family of civil servants ,I have travelled all over Odissa ,even to the interior places. Panikoili is the name of a place at the meeting point of the National Highway 5 (Kolkota- Chennai ) and National Highway 215 towards Kendujhar.During my many journeys in childhood on this route I would feel inquisitive about a few road -side eateries the place has and think whether they would be serving the travellers a fabulous" kukuda " curry cooked in Odiya style.This recipe is a tribute to that place.

Ingredients-

Kukuda/Chicken -1kg (cut into medium pcs)

Salt-To taste

Jeera ( cumin seeds) -1tea spoon 

Haldi(Turmeric) -1tea spoon

Dhaniya (Coriander) powder-2 tea spoon

Chilli powder-2 tea spoon

Curry leaves/Bhurshanga pattra- 7-8 leaaves

Onion-3 big (Chopped)

Tomato-4 big (Chopped)

Ginger paste-1tea spoon

Garlic paste-1 tea spoon

Green chillis-  2(Chopped)

Tej pattra (Bay leaf)-1

Water-2 Cups(Boiled)

Potato-1 cup (Fried)

Oil- 2 table spoon

Method-

Heat oil in a kadhai .Add the tej pattra. Add jeera  and add onion.  Fry till they turn golden brown in colour. Add garlic and ginger paste. Saute till the raw smell goes from the ginger and garlic. Add tomatoes and saute till oil separates .Add curry leaves. Add kukuda ,add salt to taste and haldi powder. Mix together and cover the kadhai. In the meanwhile slice a large potato and fry with a little salt.

 After water leaves from the kukuda, let it dry completely .(Be careful at this point. Dont leave the kadhai unattended ,it may burn from the bottom.)Add dhaniya powder, chillie powder .Add 2 cups of water (Boiled) and mix well.Add the fried potatoes .Let it boil for 2 minutes. You can adjust the consistency of the gravy according to your taste.Serve hot with rice or roti .