The diverse communities which call the Indian sub-continent home have contributed to a fascinating cuisine that is beloved by foodies from all over the world. From the vegetarian delights of Gujarat to the decadent deserts of West Bengal, the varied and delectable dishes of India take influences from a variety of culinary cultures, all brought together in one big (rather delicious) melting pot.
One of these cultures is that of the Parsi community. A group of people originally hailing from Persia before they settled on Indian shores on the western coast. Bringing together the recipes of their Persian heritage with the native dishes of the Gujarat, the cuisine of the Parsi people developed into a tradition of hearty, wholesome meals, flavoured with expert spicing.
Typical ingredients that are greatly favoured in Parsi cuisine include rice, eggs and meats – particularly chicken.
How to Prepare Parsi Chicken
The Parsi community is renowned for its flavoursome foods, combining sweet and savoury notes within the same dish. Common additions to a succulent chicken recipe might include plump dried apricots, raisins, jaggery and the warming notes of cinnamon and cardamom for sweetness as well as generous amounts of tomatoes and white wine vinegar to add a sour, tangy taste. This careful balance of flavours is what makes Parsi cuisine so unique.
Favourite Parsi Chicken Dishes
Possibly one of the best known Parsi chicken recipes is one which would give the Colonel a run for his money. Chicken Farcha is a special fried chicken recipe which is typically served at times of festivity such as weddings or birthday feasts. To create this mouth-watering dish, the meat is marinated in a mixture of garam masala, ginger, garlic and a smattering of chilli powder. It is then rolled in breadcrumbs soaked in egg to help it cling to the meat. The chicken is deep-fried in hot oil until golden brown and crisp. It is served with a creamy yoghurt-based dip – the Indian version of a KFC.
Another favourite chicken dish of Parsi cuisine is the tangy taste-sensation, Chicken Dhansak. The rich gravy of Chicken Dhansak showcases all the exotic flavours of India with fenugreek, black mustard seeds, cumin, coriander, garlic, ginger and hot chilli powder all brought together in one amazing dish. As well as juicy portions of chicken, the recipe also calls for onions, eggplant, sugar and chopped cilantro with a generous helping of tangy tamarind paste to top it all off.
If a tender chicken dish swathed in Indian spices sounds tempting, why not book a table at one of London’s best Indian fine dining restaurants? Proving you don’t need to fly all the way to India to experience exciting and authentic Indian flavours, the creative menus offer a range of authentic recipes, based on traditional dishes and given just the sort of contemporary twist you might expect from a fine dining establishment in the British capital. As well as a range of chicken recipes, you can also expect to find vegetarian delights and alternative meats to suit a variety of tastes.