Kheema Mattar - Curried Minced Chicken With Peas

Kheema or Keema is basically any minced meat. Today I'm making Chicken Kheema. Traditionally its prepared with Lamb meat. Kheema Pav is another popular food of Mumbai. Kheema is served with Pav. Pavs are small squares of bread somewhat like our burger buns. There are a few restaurants in Mumbai which are so famous for their Kheema Pav. My mom made such good Kheema. Its more like a comfort food to me.


Ingredients:

1) 1 pound Ground Chicken

2) 1 cup frozen peas

3) 1 cup onions chopped

4) 5-6 cloves of garlic

5) 1 small piece of ginger

6) 1 cup tomatoes chopped

7) 4-5 green chillies

8) 2 bay leaves

9) 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder

10) 1 teaspoon red chilli powder

11) 2 teaspoons cumin-cilantro powder
12) Salt to taste

13) Freshly chopped Cilantro for the garnish.

14) 4 tablespoon Olive oil

* You could use any oil of your choice. Garam Masala could be substituted for Cumin-Cilantro powder.



Preparation:
1) Make a puree of onion, garlic and ginger. Another puree of tomatoes and green chillies.
2) Heat oil in a Pan. Add the bay leaves. When they turn a bit golden, add the onion-ginger-garlic puree and saute till the onion mixture turns golden brown.
3) Now add the minced chicken and roast it for about 3-4 minutes.
4) Add tomato and green chilli puree. Fry till the oil leaves the Masala.
5) Add turmeric powder, red chilli powder,cumin-cilantro powder and salt. Mix well.
*If you are using fresh peas you can add it at this point.
6) Add about 2 1/2 cups water and cook covered on slow flame for 10 minutes.
7) Add the frozen peas and mix well. Cook covered on slow flame for another 15 minutes.
8) Ready to be served. Garnish with Cilantro .


Kheema can be served with buttered Pav, Garlic Bread or any Indian Bread. Even goes well with plain rice too. Believe me , I love it so much I have tried it with all the above combinations.