My impromptu Lemon-Ginger Chicken!!

Last weekend I made some fried rice with veggies. As for the side dish, I was unsure what to make out of the chicken pieces in the fridge!! Just took them out and started cooking by mixing ingredients randomly as they came to mind!! And finally, the outcome was fabulous which I christened the 'impromptu' lemon-ginger chicken as it contained lots and lots of lemon juice and shredded ginger :) :)...Just give it a try and I assure you, you would be a happier soul once it goes inside you ;P :D

Ingredients:

1. Chicken – 1 kg

2. Onion – 3 medium sized made into a paste, 1 large finely chopped

3. Garlic – 6 to 7 cloves

4. Ginger – 1 inch piece made into a paste, 1 inch paste shredded

5. Tomato – 1 chopped

6. Soya Sauce – 3 tbsp

7. Vinegar – 2 tbsp

8. Tomato Sauce or Puree – 2 tsp

9. Salt

10. Red chili flakes

11. Lemon – 1 large (I used Gandharaj Lebu, you can also use ordinary lemon if you can’t get hold of    one)

12. Oil (any white oil, mustard oil a No-No for this dish)

Method:

1. Heat oil in a pan and add chopped onion and fry till the colour turns brownish.

2. Add onion-garlic-ginger paste and stir till oil separates.

3. Add chopped tomato and sauté till the water evaporates.

4. Add well-cleaned chicken pieces and mix well with the spices. Keep on stirring till the pieces release oil and take a brownish tinge. Don’t add water add this stage as the water released from the chicken itself is sufficient for tendering the meat.

5. Add vinegar, soya sauce, tomato sauce or puree and salt and mix well all the ingredients. Keep on stirring till the spicy reddish oil separates…in other words, more the maangsho koshano,  better the outcome!!  ;)

6. Once your hand starts paining of continuous stirring :P, add a little warm water and stir a little. Quantity of water depends on your gravy needs. Ideally, a thicker gravy would suit this dish, I feel.

7. Check for seasoning if more salt is needed. 

8. Add most of the shredded ginger and lemon juice and stir a little. Be sure to turn the heat on a low flame once you reach this step.

9. Also add red chili flakes to heat up the dish!!

10. Remove from heat and garnish with the remaining ginger shreds and lemon pieces.