The delicate flavours of the spices with the whole chicken makes this a one-of-a-kind dish that is just right for a special occasion. This dish calls for a very pretty presentation!
Although it is slightly labour-intensive, the outcome and the visual appeal of this dish, more than make up for the difficulty of its preparation. I used to make this for festive family gatherings, and sometimes wrapped the whole chicken in banana leaf. This is best served when you want to impress and surprise someone!
Ingredients
3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon salt
1 (4-lb/1.75-kg) whole chicken
1 tablespoon oil
2 large onions, roughly chopped
1 tablespoon minced ginger
1 tablespoon minced garlic
5 green chili peppers, minced
3 tablespoons ground almonds
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon turmeric
2 teaspoons garam masala
3 cups (120 g) fresh coriander (cilantro), chopped
3 to 4 tender banana leaves
Method
• Rub the lemon juice and salt all over the chicken very well.
• Heat the oil in a heavy-bottomed frying pan over medium heat, add the onions and cook until they start to brown. Add the ginger, garlic and green chili peppers and cook for 2 minutes, or until soft.
• Add the almonds, paprika, turmeric and garam masala. Cook, stirring frequently, for an additional minute. Remove from the heat and allow the onion mixture to cool completely.
• Place the cooled mixture in a food processor along with the chopped fresh coriander, and grind to a smooth paste. Rub the paste thoroughly all over the chicken and inside the cavity. Tie the legs of the chicken together to keep them in place.
Cover and refrigerate for 6 to 8 hours.
• Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
• Place the chicken in a roasting pan and bake for 45-50 minutes, until the chicken is cooked and tender. Coming half way through the baking, make sure you turn around the pan for even cooking
• Baste the chicken with some of the pan juices and return it to the oven for 10 minutes or until brown and the skin roasts well.
• Place the chicken on a serving platter. Serve hot, and carve table side
