Sunday Assamese Chicken curry

      My both sets of grandparents have never eaten chicken rather they enjoyed Fish curry or fish. The chicken was almost an alien for my families past generations. In Assam, about 30/35 years back older people instead of chicken rather ate duck, mutton or fish. That says chicken curry is not exactly a traditional dish in Assamese cuisine. But eating chicken is a quintessential part of modern Assamese family. As a kid, I remember waiting for Sunday lunches for chicken curry. The aroma of cooking chicken-filled up our home and us picky eaters can't wait to have our lunch. While growing up we only got one day holiday in the week, Sunday. Usually, everyone is at home and my mom painstakingly cooks the best and exquisite dishes to the table. And along with other specialties, the chicken was the fulcrum attraction. And happiness was eating chicken curry on Sundays.

      As I told earlier, chicken curry is not exactly a traditional dish in assamese cuisine. However, the use of fresh ingredients and the easy and simple process of cooking chicken in every Assamese household is the same. And potatoes are usually added in Assamese chicken curry.  Here I am sharing Assamese style chicken curry.

Ingredients

1. 2 lb cut chicken
2. 1 medium-size potato
3. 2 medium-size onion
4. an inch ginger
5. a few cloves of garlic
6. 2 to 4 tablespoon oil 
7. 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
8. 1teaspoon turmeric
9. Whole spices ( cardamom, cloves, cinnamon, dry red chilies, black pepper ). I put 2 of each but you can always adjust it according to your taste. For Assamese chicken curry, I love to use home ground spices for the freshness. Instead of this, you can also use garam masala powder.
10. Peel the potato's skin and fry them in the oil until golden brown and set aside.
11. Now clean the chicken and marinate it with salt and turmeric. Let it sit for 10/15 minutes. Ground the onion, ginger, and garlic don't make it too pasty otherwise it will lose the rustic appeal. Now, add it to the chicken and add 3 tablespoon oil, also add the dry ground spices. Marinate for 30 minutes.
12. Now put the pan on the stove and once it is hot, add 2 tablespoons oil and add cumin seeds. After the seeds crackle add the marinated chicken. Fry it until water dries up. Add potatoes and now cover it and let it cook. Cook, it at least 15/20 minutes and stir it in between. Add 2 cups of hot water and cook it on low flame for another 5 to 7 minutes or until done. Now serve it with steamed rice. Enjoy the Assamese style simple soulful chicken curry.