Balti Chicken With Tarka Dhal - cooking recipe

Ingredients

8 ounces skinless chicken breasts, and cubed
1 ounce split peas, pre-soaked
2 ounces red lentils
1 tablespoon oil
1 large onion, chopped
1 teaspoon garlic, pulp
1 teaspoon ginger, pulp
1/2 teaspoon turmeric
1 1/2 teaspoons chili powder
1 teaspoon garam masala
1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
3 tablespoons fresh coriander leaves, chopped
1 green chili, seeded and chopped
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1/2 pint water
2 tomatoes, peeled and thickly sliced
1 teaspoon oil
1/2 teaspoon cumin seed
2 garlic cloves, chopped
2 dried red chilies, chopped
4 curry leaves

Preparation

Mix together the split peas and the lentils, cover with water and cook till soft and mushy.
In the meantime heat the oil in a wok and fry the onions till golden. Stir in the garlic, ginger , turmeric, chilli powder, garam masala, ground coriander and salt.
Stir well and add the chicken and fry for 6 mins.Add 11/2 tbsp of the fresh coriander leaves, green chilli, lemon juice and the water cook for 5 minutes.
Mix in the lentils (dhal),tomatoes and the remaining coriander leaves. Turn off the heat.
Heat the oil in a small pan and add the cumin seeds, when they start to pop add the garlic, red chillies, and the curry leaves, cook for 1 minute Pour over the the chicken and lentils and serve.