Indian chicken curry and naan bread

October 1, 2014

I made this delicious chicken curry recipe twice this week, once to welcome home our son and his wife, who came from North Carolina for a long weekend visit, and once to take to a friend's home who was hosting a special dinner for some of our church's overseas missionaries.



I will make it again soon, too, because it is so flavorful and spicy delicious. The naan bread took a little time, but really was so easy and tasty, that I will be making this again many times I'm sure.

We are fortunate to have several authentic Indian grocers in our area. This is where I've bought the Indian spice mixture garam masala, cardamon pods (for chai), and coriander seeds. Walking into one of these shops is like stepping into another world, one of delicious-smelling spices, colorful legumes,  and ropes of dried chiles, with exotic music playing in the background and rows of Bollywood movies to rent.

(Do you ever watch Bollywood movies? Some of them, I admit, are over-the-top silly, but some are so visually beautiful and romantic that I've watched them over and over. And because of strict rules in India, they are usually very clean: no swearing, sex, or violence.)



Do you see how I've marked this broken cutting board *ONION*? After eating some watermelon that tasted like the onions I had previously cut, I decided to dedicate a board to onion (and garlic) cutting only.

Just peel the outer layer first; this smells so good. I just read somewhere of putting freshly grated ginger in hot water for tea. I'm going to try that soon.


I cut these chicken thighs into smaller pieces and removed the extra fat on them after they browned.

  
My mom made this cute autumn potholder for me.

Mixing the dough for the naan bread; I don't have a bread maker anymore or a big Kitchen Aid stand mixer; this little guy does fine for smaller batches of dough. I still end up hand kneading a little after mixing.


As with pancakes, the first one is a trial run; the grill wasn't quite hot enough, so this didn't puff up and brown like the subsequent ones. As my son was walking in the door at this point, I didn't get any pictures of the rest, but they were beautiful looking and delicious, too.


Naan Bread

1 pkg. (.25 oz) active dry yeast
1 cup warm water
1/4 cup white sugar
3 tablespoons milk
1 egg, beaten
2 teaspoons salt
4 1/2 cups bread flour
2 teaspoons minced garlic (optional)
1/4 cup butter, melted

In large bowl, dissolve the yeast in warm water. Let stand about 10 minutes, until bubbles appear. Stir in sugar, milk, egg, salt, and enough flour to make a soft dough. Knead for 6 to 8 minutes on lightly floured surface, or until smooth. Place dough in an oiled bowl, cover with a tea towel, and set aside to rise about an hour, or until dough has doubled in volume.

Punch down dough and knead in garlic, if using. Pinch off small handfuls of dough about the size of a golf ball. Roll in balls and set on a tray. Cover, and let rise until doubled, about 30 minutes.

Preheat grill to high heat. At grill side, roll one ball of dough out into a thin circle. Lightly oil grill. Place dough on grill, and cook for 2 to 3 minutes, or until puffy and lightly browned. Brush uncooked side with butter, and turn over. Brush cooked side with butter, and cook until browned, another 2 to 4 minutes. Remove from grill, and continue until all the naan has been prepared.

*****

The recipe for the chicken curry is from allrecipes.com and can be found here. The recipe says it serves six, but I used their handy-dandy converter to make it for 10. The six of us polished it all off. The only other change I made was to use chicken thighs rather than breasts, and to cut them into serving-sized pieces after I had browned them.

Hope you enjoy making these!

14 comments

  1. One of my favourite meals! Thank you for sharing your recipe!

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  2. Dearest Deborah,
    Lovely photos of a delicious meal!
    Yes, we both love any hot and spicy Indian dish and often they are so healthy too.
    When working as consultants for Pond's India's mushroom business in south India, we were taken one day to the area where lots of Indian movies are made. They produce even more than Hollywood and you are so right about the higher ethics they preserve in their movies!
    Lovely that you had your son and his wife visit from the Carolinas!
    Hugs,
    Mariette

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  3. Thank you for sharing the naan bread recipe, I always make my own curry but usually buy the bread. I will give it a go. Such a great idea having a separate cutting board for the onion/garlic.

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  4. If you go to this site you will find an easier way to make Naan bread.
    http://naturalthrifty.com/homemade-naan-bread.html
    I have heard of many people making this bread with yoghurt and they all love it. Give it a try.

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  5. Oh my gosh. This recipe sounds delicious, and I watched the video and saved the recipe to my files. I can hardly wait to try this. I know it will by yummy.

    Thanks for sharing ~ FlowerLady

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  6. The meal sounds wonderful, Deborah, and I'm sure your son and DIL loved it. I especially liked seeing your "onion" cutting board and the lovely pot holder that your sweet mom made for you. I'm a bread baker and I would love to try this bread. Thanks for sharing. Hugs and blessings!

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  7. I really like your posts. I learn so many interesting things from them. I had heard the term "Bollywood" but did not know exactly what it meant. This post inspired me to look it up and see that it refers to the film industry from Bombay. Never knew. My son loves Indian food more than any other, and he likes to cook, so I have been to the Indian grocer with him several times. I agree - it's very interesting - like taking a little trip! No doubt your recipe was a big hit with all. And the naan bread looks delicious, too. Even your autumn potholder inspired me. I have some material on hand to make a few of these.

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  8. Oh wow, this sounds amazing! Can I come over for supper :)

    The potholder your mom made is darling and so festive for Autumn. And may I just say that you are so clever to have a cutting board soley for onions - I will have to do that.

    Hugs to you!

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  9. Yum yum.... I love curry and naan bread! Thanks for sharing the recipes.

    Brenda
    xox



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  10. Hi Deborah, how nice to have your son and his wife home for a visit. They had to so enjoy this amazing meal you prepared. Love this and now I'm hungry!! What a darling pot holder your mother created for fall.
    Great idea for the cutting board!!
    Blessings for a great weekend.
    Hugs
    XO

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  11. I like chicken curry but my hubby doesn't so I order it when out sometimes, your looks yummy.

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  12. I've never had naan bread...this all looks so beautiful and absolutely delicious! :)

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  13. Hello Deborah,

    Happy Sunday to you. How nice that you got to spend some time with your son and his wife. Your meal looks pretty impressive my friend. That takes a bit of skill to pull off.. Great step by step photos and ingredients. I am sure your guests were pleasantly pleased with this spectacular meal. I love the potholder. It is a little gem.

    Wishing you a great week.

    Janet

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  14. They both look wonderful. Unlike with your cookies on the last post however, I won't be making na'an or curry for snacking this evening :) heehee. Look at the photo of those spices in the bowl -- aren't the colors gorgeous? And the onion and garlic? Sometimes the simplest things are the most compelling, most beautiful. Good for you, for feeding your loved ones so well!

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