INDIAN CUISINE,  SAVOURY,  TRAVEL

INSPIRED GREEN CHUTNEY CHICKEN…

“The smell and taste of things remain poised a long time, like souls, ready to remind us….”
Marcel Proust

FG+2I ran a fun giveaway for CSN Stores a short while ago and on offer was a Delonghi Grill or a CuisineArt Ice Cream Maker. The other day Jess from the CSN Promo Team wrote in to say they selected me as a CSN Preferred Blogger. What that meant was another chance to either review a product or give one away to readers of Passionate About Baking from their store Just Vanities or any of their other 200+online stores. I chose to host the giveaway, and you choose how you would like to spend the gift certificate.

On offer is a one-time-use $80 gift certificate for one lucky winner to use as they wish on any of the CSN websites.
All you need to do is leave a comment on this post telling me what you would pick from any of the CSN Stores if you win the $80 gift certificate. Tweet about this giveaway for an extra entry leaving a comment for each entry. Comments close on Sunday June 27th, and I will pick a winner thereafter.
The giveaway is only open to residents of the US and Canada for shipping reasons. {Yes, US / Canada addresses work} Please leave a contact in your comment or email it to me if you wish to be included in the giveaway.

Whether bathroom vanity is what you are looking for, or stuff for the kitchen, CSN has one of the best selections on the web! With over 40,000 products to choose from that store or stores such as All Modern or Cookware, you can spend all day looking for the perfect product.

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While on the topic of food blogging and the charming benefits of being a food blogger, I was happy to receive a copy of Monica Bhide’s Modern Spice, a new version of the book for the Indian subcontinent, a short while before we left for our vacation. I’ve reviewed the US version of Modern Spice: Inspired Indian Flavors for the Contemporary Kitchenir?t=passaboubaki 20&l=as2&o=1&a=B00381B7ZU here. The nice folk from Random House offered me a sneak peek into Modern Spices new recipes, and then mailed me a copy which for some reason never did reach me. They arranged for another one, and I was happy to leaf through the pages a few days later!
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I loved the look of the book. The cover is colourful, vibrant, ‘spicy’ and screams to the reader to pick up the book. It’s a beautiful shot of spices and reflects everything India is all about. It reminded me of the canvas of colours and character we encountered on our recent vacation. Here are a ‘few’ pictures that I took on a day trip up into the Himalayas. The colours of India, the people, the beauty … all take your breath away. On this particular instance, we were a group of 24 folk who trekked up a steep 3 hours to a monastery perched on top of a hill . Each muscle screamed in agony, but the climb was all worth it.
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Tibetan monasteries are usually located at the very top of a hill, away from civilization and amidst beautiful peaceful surroundings. They are self sufficient in nature. This particular monastery had hostel like rooms for the young, and was surrounded by independent ramshackle cottages for the very elderly.

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Everyone and everything exists here is harmony. You can feel and literally ‘hear‘ the gentle breeze embrace you amidst the soothing sounds of prayer bells and Buddhist chants. The setting is as rustic and removed from the real world as can be. Each monastery has its own distinctive character and style and ambiance that surrounds it. The architecture too is exclusive to each. I have pictures of four to five different monasteries .. wish I could share it all here!

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Back to Modern Spice … The book itself is divided into handy, colour coded sections and what I liked especially were the thoughtful pages for notes included at the end of each section. Neat idea! The only downside of the book, IMHO, is the lack of pictures. Maybe it’s just a personal thing, but I do like to see a picture of how a dish would look, or have a general idea of what to expect. Otherwise, I like some of the ideas Monica offers that break away from traditional Indian flavour combinations, tempting the cook to step out of his / her comfort zone. Another intriguing aspect is the inclusion of recipes like fennel and chilli-crusted tilapia and basmati rice with pine nuts and mint, accompanied by a guava bellini... global influences that make you want to think out of the box!

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The day the book arrived, I was en route to making a chicken curry, and had just marinated thigh tenders in lime juice, salt and paprika. Leafing through Monica’s book made me add a few bits and bobs to the ‘recipe in progress‘, and it was a bit like my Indian Summer Chicken Curry I posted last summer. The recipe I’ve posted today is inspired by the Green Chutney Chicken in Modern Spice. It was a wonderful, light, flavourful and lovely curry for the summer, and so quick to make! I served it with dried mint lachchedar/multi-layered parathas! The meal disappeared very fast!!

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Green Chutney Chicken
Inspired by recipe on Modern Spice, page 137
750gms chicken thigh tenders, cut into bite sized pieces
1 tbsp garlic paste
1 tsp ginger paste
2-3 green chillies, as per taste
juice of 2 limes
Salt to taste
1 bunch fresh coriander
1/2 bunch fresh mint
1/2 small red onion
1/4 thick hung yogurt

recipe

 Method:
Wash and pat chicken tenders dry.

Make a paste of the ginger, garlic and green chillies with juice of 2 limes and salt. Marinade tenders in this for 4-6 hours/overnight
Heat oil in a wok. Add the marinated tenders and cook on high heat until lightly browned, stirring on and off.
In the meantime, grind the fresh coriander, fresh mint and onion to a paste with 1 tbsp of yogurt. Stir this into the thickened hung yogurt.
Add the hung yogurt mixture to the chicken in the wok, stir well, add 1/4 cup water and bring to a gentle boil. Simmer covered for 15-20 minutes. Adjust seasoning, and add a slit green chili if desired. Garnish with fresh coriander and mint leaves.
Serve hot with naans, parathas or boiled rice.
rec+final
♥ Thank you for stopping by ♥

Getting on twitter earlier this evening got me a happy tweet from the lovely Meeta of What’s For Lunch Honey, who had retweeted this …

MeetaWFLH: top 100 culinary blogs also my friends @lucullian & @cooksister & @vindee http://ht.ly/20aWS {The 100 Top Culinary Blogs}

Jennifer Grossi wrote in yesterday to say PAB was chosen as the Food Blog of the Day @ The Lemonade Connection

THANK YOU … I do feel very honoured and touched!
This post featured on Answerbag.com

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Also find me on The Rabid Baker, The Times of India

About me: I am a freelance food writer, recipe developer and photographer. Food is my passion - baking, cooking, developing recipes, making recipes healthier, using fresh seasonal produce and local products, keeping a check on my carbon footprint and being a responsible foodie! I enjoy food styling, food photography, recipe development and product reviews. I express this through my food photographs which I style and the recipes I blog. My strength lies in 'Doing Food From Scratch'; it must taste as good as it looks, and be healthy too. Baking in India, often my biggest challenge is the non-availability of baking ingredients, and this has now become a platform to get creative on. I enjoy cooking immensely as well.

115 Comments

  • suma

    Congrats Deeba! And we are proud of you!!

    Awesome giveaway here, can we give an US address to qualify for this?;-))

    Those bundt pan sets are too good, so are the springform ones with the lids.. drool drool..:-))

  • Cool Lassi(e)

    Lovely Chicken Curry Deeba.The book "Modern Spice" sounds promising.

    With CSN STores, its "Problem of plenty"
    If I win the $80 bucks I would probably buy –
    Oval Baker – http://www.csnstores.com/240536BL-240536BL-240536BL-piv1105.html

    Madeleine Mould – http://www.csnstores.com/Kaiser-Bakeware-650456-ksr1385.html

    Maybe I will change my mind and buy this Le Creuset mini baker-
    http://www.csnstores.com/PG1160-0867-PG1160-0867-PG1160-0867-lec1303.html

  • Cool Lassi(e)

    Can you tell more about this high-top monastery? Next time when I visit India, I would want to go somewhere North..like this Gangtok for instance.
    I always like the view from top..so don't mind the pains..i have climbed many a cathedral in Europe just for the view..

  • Happy Cook

    I have that book too. Delicous curry. I want to have the same holiday. muhaaaaaaaaaaaaaa we are missing again, lucky US / Canada bloggers.

  • How to Cook a Mockingbird

    That curry looks absolutely amazing.
    I'm going to try it immediately!
    Thanks so much for sharing.

  • Anna

    Congratulations, that's great news! As for the giveaway, if I were to win, I'd put it towards an icecream maker. The one I have is held together with ductape.

  • sheba

    yum..love coriander and mint based dishes.
    hmm I would love to win a bundt pan..or even an ice cream maker..

  • Kitchen Butterfly

    Oh Deeba, isn't it wonderful to be recognised….and so often! It never rains, it pours and I'm glad for you. You deserve it after that trek…………Love the look and sound of the chicken, with lime and dried mint. Yummy

  • tasteofbeirut

    Congratulations Deeba for all the recognition and accolades; you deserve it !
    I also love this chicken curry: it has some of my favorite ingredients: cilantro and green chilies!

  • Julie @ Willow Bird Baking

    Congratulations on your recognition!!

    I think I'd have to spend that $80 on new saucepans, seeing as I have to make do with just one at the moment!

  • Magdalena

    Hello Deeba and congrats !
    First of all, as always, I enjoyed reading your post. Secondly, nice photo-reportage and the chicken curry is great, great !
    I do not know this cook book.
    Have a nice day tomorrow….
    I do not have much time for cooking now – I have just arrived from France to Krakow and running, running, running !

  • Ann

    Hi All of your posts are filled with awesome pics…Its truly therapeutic to keep looking at the pics…

    Congrats for all the recognition..

    If I were to win I would love to get any of corningware french white bake and serve set. 🙂

  • Rosa's Yummy Yums

    This dish is so appetizing! A great idea.

    What a dreamlike region. I love those Himalayan mountain places.

    Cheers,

    Rosa

  • PreeOccupied

    I loved this green chutney chicken. I have made it too, copying my Mum's recipe. Even did it with Prawns one time.

    I love all your photos. Its a torture to see your food photos before dinner.

  • Laura

    Thanks for picking the giveaway! I would love to get my dad a wine fridge. He makes his own wine (from kits) ad deserves to have a proper place to store them because he is the best father a girl could ever ask for.

  • Anonymous

    Hi! this chicken looks soo yummy. I love anything that has coriander in it.
    If I won the CSN giveaway, I'd like a Lipper International 25" W Desk with Chalkboard Top & Chair in Pecan – for my 2 yr old, who loves drawing on furniture:-) This would be ideal.
    thanks,
    Divya

  • Filly

    Oooooh, nice giveaway, and GREAT looking recipe! If I won, the money would most likely go towards something like one of the espresso machines.

    Such a beautiful blog you have! Yours is one of the few that I actually take the time to read!

    fillynn (at) juno (dot) com

  • crumbsoflove

    Good for you Deeba!! Your site is truly wonderful. The pictures from your holiday are great- it looks like you and yours had a wonderful time.
    please enter me in the contest- I would go crazy in the baking molds!!! Thanks!
    sandielee@live.ca

  • Laura Bat

    My family and I have been dreaming daily about having an ice cream maker. It seems I can't turn around without seeing an amazing ice cream recipe. So I would want the Cuisinart Pure Indulgence 2 Qt. Frozen Yogurt-Sorbet & Ice Cream Maker!
    Mmm

  • Madhuli

    This is the first time I am drooling over photos of Chicken curry….never thought that was possible!awesome. and congrats on all those mentions..u r truly amazing

  • Carolsue

    You have some really awesome recipes on your blog! I'll be back!
    I would get the KitchenAid Cookware Gourmet Reserved Hard-Anpdozed 12" Skillet if I win.
    digicat {AT} sbcglobal {DOT} net

  • Rachel

    The trek to the monastery sounds amazing!!!

    I would use the gift certificate to invest in some bakeware I've been craving (mmm…tart pans and ramekins…)

  • Ambika

    Hey Deeba, Congrats!!! Lovely photos..

    I would love to buy the Gordon Ramsay bakeware from the CSN stores..I hope I win 🙂

  • Helen

    The chicken looks yummy!

    I'd get an ice cream maker from the CSN stores. 'Tis the season for frozen treats.

  • Meena

    This is just the most awesome giveaway and your website is one space I check daily for updateas and new posts…keep rocking!!!

    I would choose: Kathy Ireland Rugs Essentials Diamantes Multi Oriental Rug – 3X-28440 if I won the giveaway…my contact email: msfun98(at)gmail.com

  • vincent

    Hola,

    Su blog ha captado nuestra atención por la calidad de sus recetas.

    Agradeceríamos que lo registre en Ptitchef.com para poder indexarlo.

    Ptitchef es un directorio que referencia los mejores sitios web de
    cocina. Cientos de blogs ya se han inscrito y disfrutan de Ptitchef
    para darse a conocer.

    Para suscribirse a Ptitchef vaya a
    http://es.petitchef.com/?obj=front&action=site_ajout_form o en
    http://es.petitchef.com y haga clic en "Anade tu blog " en la barra la
    parte superior.

    Atentamente,

    Vincent

  • Eileen (Books R Us)

    I would like to get-
    Hamilton Beach Convection Countertop Oven – 31199XR

    twinsbur(at)gmail.com

  • teresacooks

    I'd get an electric griddle! I really enjoy your posts btw, I don't know much about life in India and I enjoy the glimpse into yours.

  • Robin

    Thanks for letting me know about the giveaway – and lovely photos! I love Indian cuisine and will be looking through your blog for vegetarian options – or things I can make that way.
    I'm looking on CSN for a stainless frypan/skillet. Probably the Triply Calphalon 10".
    Thanks for the giveaway!
    cokelush at gmail dot com

  • kate

    i would love some nice new cake and muffin pans, maybe a candy thermometer. i have a need to bake wonderful things!

    -kate

    outoftheash at gmail dot com

  • Gera @ Sweets Foods Blog

    Congrats for all the featuring and for the giveaway Deeba. Outstanding pictures and place!!

    Have a great weekend!

    Gera

  • Nags

    those are some gorgeous pics Deeba!

    And oh, i'd pick the ice cream maker. have been wanting that for a long time now.

  • Lawyer Loves Lunch

    This curry looks awesome. If I win, I'd definitely get a better set of knives. Mine are from the dark ages 🙁

  • Fieran

    Wow, the Himalayas look beautiful 🙂

    Now that photograph of the green chutney chicken is making me hungry. The closest I've ever come to cooking a dish with chutney was "Achaari Aaloo" which is a recipe from Vicky Bhogal's A Year Of Cooking like Mummyji.

  • Jennai

    Your recipes look so yummy! I really need to try many of them!
    If I win, I would get the Guidecraft Natural Pony Rocking Horse
    HobartsMama {AT} AOL.COM

  • Sharon

    Congratulations! You have so many wonderful recipes here …

    If I won, I would put the $80.00 towards some Le Creuset (the eggplant braiser) or a piece of All Clad.

  • Lyndsey

    Congratulations! This is a wonderful post. Love the recipes. The green curry chicken looks fantastic!

    I would definitely get a rice cooker, mine broke and I have yet to replace it! Thanks!

  • pat

    I would definitely get a rice cooker, mine just broke and I need to get a new one soon.

    Aroma 20-Cup Digital Rice Cooker & Food Steamer in SilverAroma 20-Cup Digital Rice Cooker & Food Steamer in Silver

  • eve's lungs

    Hey I loved your recipe for chocolate cake with buttermilk and have tried it out – fantastic . This chicken curry is next in line . Sikkim pics are lovely – which monastery is this ?

  • Anonymous

    Hey Deeba,
    I would pick up a new outdoor patio set from CSN store. I have been meaning to do so for some time now but haven't got aorund to it yet. Now is the time to go 🙂
    thanks
    Alina
    you can contact me at alina4u@rediffmail.com
    (I am based out of USA)

  • Karthika

    Your pictures make me want to take the next flight out to North Eastern part of India. I have some leftover Green Chutney and your recipe gives an inspiration to add chicken to it. I will let you know how it turns out.

    If at all I win, I would like Hand Blender.

  • Krista Joy

    Well… my fiance and I are getting married in August and we just bought a house. Rather than picking something specific now… I think I'd wait and pick something we had registered for and didn't get OR something we find we need for the house while remodeling! Does that count? =) Thanks for the giveaway!

  • Karolina

    Congrats!

    I love your chicken curry pics. I have cooked some Indian stuff before using my favourite "The Food of India. A journey for food lovers" and I love everything about different Indian dishes. I have to admit I love the veggie ones the best, but never say NO to a good chicken curry. 🙂

    I love your website and thanks to Magda have found it and hope to visit you again. 🙂

  • Foodessa

    First I'd like to congratulate you on all your wonderful and very well deserved success ;o)
    I enjoyed reading your interesting post very much, but mostly appreciated you letting us in on your personal thoughts on this recipe book. As much as I can enjoy great recipes that are included in a book…I refuse to purchase books with limited visuals.
    Photos are what inspires us to pick a recipe in the first place.
    Those that decide to publish books like these should never cheat us of this pleasure!
    Thanks again for sharing and flavourful wishes, Claudia

  • Arc

    Congratulations, Deeba.. This seems to be a great recipe.. I love your baking section. If I win the give-away I'd like the stand mixer for sure..

  • RamblingTart

    Oh, I love these photos, Deeba. What a wonderfully restful place you found. There is a monastery near me as well, and I love to got here, just walk the grounds and feel so peaceful. 🙂 Your curry looks fantastic!! I would have to buy baking sheets, since I burned and warped the one I have. 🙂

  • Yosha

    Congratulations!

    I have been eyeing an icecream maker for close to 2 yrs now. I've researched the pros and cons of each model so if I win I'll probably plunge into that! Or the set of mini tart pans they just got. Super cute.

  • Fresh Local and Best

    I've made several recipes from Monica Bhide's cookbook Modern Spice, and love it!

    It must be my lucky day to have stumbled onto your blog. What would I pick from CSN? Most likely a casserole dish from Le Creuset. btw, I'm also hosting a giveaway on my blog, if you're interested. 🙂

  • Mary Ellen

    This Green Chutney Chicken recipe looks wonderful and I am going to have to try it!! So glad I found your blog!!
    Would love to be entered in the giveaway. I am needing a ceiling fan for my enclosed porch and this would be a great way to get it!!

  • magpie

    Congrats on the well deserved honors Deeba!

    Thanks for the lovely chicken recipe!Have made a similar one with the delicious chutney chicken mix and this looks even better.Must make this when my cilantro and mint plants are a little more robust.

    I would love to get a dutch oven or roaster pot from CSN to make stews and my new obsession the No Knead bread for which I need a large oven safe covered dish.
    Or apply it toward finally buying a Kitchenaid stand mixer, or a good chefs knife..my lust list is endless as you can see so a gift card will be well appreciated!!

    my email id is email.magpie@gmail.com

  • sharonjo

    I'd choose the Fagor Electric Multicooker–rice cooker, slow cooker, and pressure cooker in one!
    Thanks for the chance.

    sharonjo at gwtc dot net

  • E Lightpool

    Oh, oh, maybe a dutch oven? Or a really nice new skillet? Or baking supplies…. How could I choose? So many wonderful things to pick from!

  • Spice

    Congrats Deeba! love green chicken…..

    now for a give-away, if I win either a bread maker or le-cruset, for sure….

  • Nelsby

    Tough decision! I would choose either the Dr. Scholl's Scream sandals in Black or the Dr. Scholl's Original in Taupe Snake.
    Thanks!
    Aimee
    sierranelsby (at) gmail (dot) com

  • Jamie

    Oh, honey, your family vacations are exactly like our family vacations when the kids were young enough and interested enough. This looks fabulous! And I want anything from CSN that I could carry back from mom's!

  • Jeanne @ CookSister!

    Oooh, the Modern Spice book sounds great – this recipe sounds particularly fresh and delicious. Love the pictures of the monasteries – especially the cat & prayer wheel as I told you over the weekend 🙂

  • squirrelbread

    my fiancée desperately wants a wine refrigerator, so that'd be top of my list for the best groom's gift! thanks for the great recipe. we're indian food die-hards, and love to try our hand at the more authentic dishes — will try soon.

    cheers,

    *heather*

  • tigerfish

    I need a new wok from CSNstores!

    Your green chutney chicken looks very tantalizing and has got me drooling now.

    Beautiful photo collages too 🙂

  • Hanaâ

    Thanks for the giveaway, Deeba. I would definitely get myself a new food processort cuz my old one is falling apart.

    That curry looks amazing. From your description of the cooking method, you can tell the chicken will turn out tender and yummy :o)

  • Tabitha

    If I won $80 from CSN, I would buy the BonJour Chef's Creme Brulee Brushed Aluminum Torch and a set of 4 Emile Henry Stacking Ramekins in Citron!

  • GB

    Wow! great giveaway! $80 could stretch a long way! I'd love to get a new living room rug—something from the Kathy Ireland collection (they're pricey, so I may use this as a downpayment)!

  • annalene

    I would love to buy the iittala utility and paring knife set from CSN! I've tried their pots and pans before (love them) but never the cutlery. Thank you so much for the chance to win!

    thewideworldof (at) gmail (dot) com

  • Topher

    Thanks for the giveaway. I'd use it to buy myself a set of pans. I have none currently and could really use some quality ones.

    Chris

    zekks at yahoo dot com

  • Jenny

    I would love to get a new double burner grill pan as my current single burner one is not big enough anymore for 2 teen boys! Maybe the cast iron ones that are reversible to a griddle on the other side for pancake mornings!

  • Anonymous

    hello Deeba,
    I love your blog. You take amazing photography. Also, I love this is an awesome giveaway.
    If I am lucky enough to win this giveaway, i would love love to get the Cuisinart Pure Indulgence 2 Qt. Frozen Yogurt-Sorbet & Ice Cream Maker – ICE-30BC.
    Thanks so much for the giveaway.
    Can you please give us more information about the Gangtok resort you visited? I would love to visit when I an in India.
    I am based in the U.S.
    Aparna Mulgund

    email address : aparnamulgund@sbcglobal.net

  • faithy, the baker

    This looks wonderfully delicious!! Love your creativity and your photos and food styling!

    And thank you for stopping by my blog and leaving your comments! So creative! I never thought of that! Making a trifle would be awesome! At least better than throwing them out!! Thanks!!!

  • Anu

    Congrats Deeba,
    I am avid fan and religiously visit your blog everyday..
    I would love anything:)Keep blogging..

  • Soma

    I had made your indian spring chicken curry last year. this looks as good! will have to give it a try.

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