Taste in food is evolving in India. People are keen to experiment with diverse styles and preparations from various part of the world. Mexican food is yet another additional to the platter. A combination of various spices and ingredients, Mexican food is a colorful presentation. Nachos, Tortilla, Tacos, and Enchiladas are few of the dishes that appear in the menu list of various restaurants in the city of Cochin too. Chef Sasidharan Pillai from Lokah, a multi-cuisine restaurant in Cochin translates their theme “the world on your plate” from his kitchen to you. Chef Pillai has over 25 years of experience in the industry and has worked across three continents. Here he shares the recipe of his signature dish Chicken Mexican.

Ingredients
Chicken: 1 kg (boneless)
Refined oil: 250 gms
Onion: 600 gms
Tomato: 1 kg (Blanched and pureed)
Capsicum Green: 200 gms (diced)
Capsicum Red: 200 gms (diced)
Rosemary Herbs: 8 gms
Paprika powder    : 20 gms
Crushed chilly: 10 gms
Cumin Powder: 10 gms
Garlic Chop: 60 gms
Lime juice: 4 nos
Salt: to taste

Method
•    Marinate the boneless chicken with lime juice, rose mary, paprika powder and salt then keep aside.
•    Heat oil in a non-stick pan. Add chicken. Grill till medium done and keep aside.
•    Heat oil in a separate cooking pan and add chopped garlic. Sauté and then add finely chopped onions. Sauté.
•    Add paprika powder and crushed chilly. Sauté.
•    Add tomato puree cook and simmer. Cook for another 10 minutes (sauce should be thick).
•    Sauté diced onion, red and green pepper and grilled chicken. Cook together with tomato sauce for 2 minutes.
•    Sprinkle cumin powder and rose mary herbs as the final touch.
•    Serve with spicy tomato rice or Mexican tortilla chips.

Bon appétit!

By Priya Q