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Chicken Sajanaa Saaga Besar in unique Odia homely style

Sajanaa Saaga (Drumstick Tree leaves) 

Chicken leg-n-thigh pieces

Chicken Sajanaa Saaga Besar in unique Odia homely style

Ingredients:

Chicken leg-n-thigh pieces – 4,

Sajanaa Saaga ( green, fully tender leaves of Drumstick tree ) – 2 to 2 ½  cup – fully cleaned of stems and washed well

A paste of Sorisha, Kancha Lanka and a pinch of haldi  (Mustard and green chilli - roughly 1-2 for 4-5 tbsp of mustard, with a pinch of turmeric) – 4 tbsp

Jeera ( Cumin) powder – 2 tsp

Ada-Rasun paste ( Ginger-Garlic paste – roughly in equal proportion) – 1 ½  tbsp

Onion – 1 large, sliced ( about 1 cup)

Tomato – 1 medium - just quartered  ( better to choose a non-tangy, red fleshy one)

Mustard oil –  3 tbsp and a few more drops

Salt to taste  (  1-2 tsp)

Haldi ( turmeric)- about 1/2  tsp

Lemon juice – a few drops

Water -1 cup

Procedure

Clean 4 chicken leg-n-thigh pieces and just give them a few slits ( see pic). Heat mustard oil ( 1 tbsp) and sear the chicken legs till lightly brown. Keep aside.

In a small bowl, mix together  mustard paste ( 4 tbsp), cumin powder( 2 tsp), G-G paste ( 1 ½ tbsp), turmeric ( about 1/2 tsp) with 1 cup water.

In a separate pan, heat mustard oil ( 2 tbsp). Add sliced onion ( 1 large) and saute till translucent. Pour in the mustard spice mix. Bring to a boil. Add the seared chicken legs and salt to taste. Cook covered till chicken for about 15 mins on low heat. Add the tomato quarters and cook covered for another 5 minutes. Tomato is not supposed to get fully tender, let them stand out a bit. By now, chicken should be almost tender. (If needed, do add some more water while the curry is cooking to adjust consistency which should be thick gravy covering the chicken pieces- not too dry, neither runny type).

When the chicken is done after about 20 minutes, add the leafy green ( tender drumstick leaves – 2 to 2 ½  cup). May add one or two slit green chillies. Cook for 2-3 mins more. Finish with a few drops of lemon juice ( do taste tanginess of curry from tomato before adding lemon juice) and a few drops of mustard oil. Serve hot with rice/roti, whatever!

A simple, yummy, healthy dish with traditional ingredients from Odia cuisine, combined in a unique manner, which is very nutritious and rich in iron. Do check it out yourself!