Chicken drumstick kebab

About the food:

Chicken drumstick kebab, or the chicken tegri kebab are very popular throughout India and Pakistan. It could be a fantastic starter, or could be served as snacks with drinks, or even be a main dish when served with Indian breads like paratha and salad.It is easy to make, does not take much effort. The only tedious part is to prepare the masalas, but once you have done it, you can store it in an airtight container, and it keeps for months. Otherwise, if you want a quick fix, you can buy the ready made masalas from any market.I always prefer my own masalas, as I can control the flavour and mix, and also it gives a personal touch to the dish.

Preparation time: 18-24 hrs
cooking time: 45 mins

Ingredients:

8 pieces of chicken drumsticks, skinned
4 tbsp vegetable oil
salt
3 tbsp lemon juice
1 pinch of turmeric powder
3 tbsp ginger paste
2 tbsp garlic paste
6 tbsp plain yogurt
Salad leaf mix
2 onions, cut in rings

Tandoori masala:

8 cloves
8 cinnamon
2 inches cardamom stick
1 tbsp black pepper corns
1 tbsp jeera ( cumin) seeds
1 tbsp dhania (coriander) seeds
2 mace florets
1/2 nutmeg

Chat masala:

1 tbsp cumin seed (jeera)
1/2 tbsp dried mint Leaves (pudina leaves)
1/4th tsp carom (ajwain) seeds
1/4th tsp asafetida (hing) Powder
1 tbsp rock salt (kala namak)
21/2 tbsp dried mango (aam chur) Powder
5 cloves
1 tsp ginger powder
1 tsp cayenne
1/4 tsp tartaric acid
1 tbsp black pepper corns (kalimirchi)
2 tsp salt (namak)

Method:

1. Slit both the sides of the chicken drumsticks with a sharp knife to touch the bones.Make sure the flesh do not fall apart. Rub the chicken pieces with the lemon juice and salt and keep it for 30 mins.

2. Tandoori masala:

Dry roast all the ingredients in pan. when they start to smoke, take them out and dry grind in a grinder. Put it in an airtight container.

3. Chat masala:

Dry roast the cumin, coriander, carom, asafetida , black peppercorns and cloves. Dry grind them in a grinder and mix it with other ingredients. Put it in an airtight container.

4. Mix the yogurt, ginger and garlic paste, turmeric powder, 5 tbsp of the tandoori masala.Mix the chicken pieces with this mixture well, cover and marinate for 18-24 hrs.

5. Pre-heat oven. Take a wire rack, and oil it. Arrange the drumsticks on it, and put the rack on a tray to accumulate juices. Put in the oven for about 50mins at 180 deg C, or until the chicken has browned and has been cooked through, turning the pieces once in between. Keep a close watch, as not to burn the pieces, as the cooking time might vary.

6. Arrange the base of a serving tray with the salad leaves. Arrange the chicken pieces on it, squeeze 1 tbsp lemon juice and sprinkle 1 tbsp of chat masala. Garnish with Onion rings and lemon wedges and serve.