For Mandi spice powder
- 1 tablespoon of cardamom seeds
- 1 tablespoon of cloves
- ½ tablespoon of whole black peppercorns
- ½ teaspoon of nutmeg powder
- ½ tablespoon of ginger powder
- 2 bay leaves
- To make the Mandi spice powder, dry roast the cardamom pods, cloves, black pepper, nutmeg dry ginger powder and bay leaves in on medium heat for 4-6 minutes.
- Turn off the heat, and allow it to cool.
- Transfer the spices in a mixer jar, and grind into a fine powder.
For the Chicken
- Heat a large saucepan on medium heat and add oil.
- Once the oil is hot, add finely chopped onion and sauté till translucent.
- To the softened onions, add the ginger paste and garlic paste and sauté till the raw smell goes away.
- Add bay leaves, cinnamon, cardamom, cloves and black pepper and stir well.
- In a blender, add tomato and green chillies and grind into a puree then add it to the pan.
- When the oil starts to separate, add the chicken and mix. Add 4 cups of water and the Mandi spice powder according to your taste. Mix, cover and let it cook for about 15 minutes. After 15 minutes, turn off the heat.
- We will furthermore bake the chicken, to get the crispy skin.
- In a small bowl, add soft butter and Mandi spice powder, and some salt, mix well and keep aside.
- Preheat the oven to 200 degrees centigrade. Remove the chicken from the stock and place it onto a baking tray and brush with butter and Mandi spice powder mixture.
- Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until the skin of the chicken turns to a nice golden brown color.
For the rice
- Wash and soak Pearl Basmati Rice for at least 20 minutes.
- Heat olive oil in a large pan on medium heat, and fry the drained rice, stirring continuously for about 10 to 15 minutes.
- Add this pan-roasted rice to the chicken stock. Now slide a large piece of aluminium foil on top of the saucepan and then cover it with the lid. Cook the rice on medium-low flame for about 10 minutes.
- Remove the lid and check if there is any trace of water left. If water is left, then cover and cook for another 3 to 5 minutes. Now fluff the rice with a fork.
- Take ghee in a small bowl and place it in the middle of the rice.
- Heat a piece of charcoal on the direct flame until it is red-hot.
- Once the charcoal is burning hot, place it in the bowl of ghee that is in the rice. Immediately slide back the aluminium foil and secure with lid.
- Open it only at the time of serving, as it gives a nice smoky flavour to the rice. To serve, spread rice onto a large serving tray and place a piece of baked chicken on the top.