Steamed chicken in banana leaf

I was wondering what to do with all the left over banana leaves that we had got for Onam,  and remembered this amazing steamed chicken dish wrapped in banana leaves that my Uncle, who is a fabulous cook had made for me. So here I am, sharing it with all of you.

“Cookery is not chemistry. It is an art. It requires instinct and taste rather than exact measurements.”
- Chef Marcel Boulestin

INGREDIENTS:

The recipe calls for 1 full chicken but I used 3 half breasts.

3 half breasts of chicken (cleaned and slit)

1 or 2 banana leaves

2 Onions cut into thin round slices

1 ripe tomato cut into thin round slices

2 green chillies slit lengthwise

4-5 Garlic cloves smashed

2 Potatoes cut into thin round slices

2 Carrots cut into thin round slices

Salt and pepper

PREPARATION:

Clean the chicken and make some slits. Dry it well using a tissue paper. Apply the salt and pepper to the chicken and keep it aside.

I used an Indian pressure cooker for preparing this dish. I have not tried baking it.

Switch on the stove and  hold the banana leaf  slightly above the flame and  slightly heat all  parts of the leaf. This is to prevent the banana leaf from tearing when it is folded.

Now lay the banana leaf  inside the pressure cooker and let the ends fall out.

Layer the onion, tomato, carrot,  potato slices, and the chicken on the banana leaf. Do not add any water.

Sprinkle some salt and pepper. Now close the banana leaf. I put one more piece of banana leaf on the top of this to close it properly.

 Pressure cook on a low flame for 2-3 whistles. Switch off the stove and let it sit in the cooker for few minutes before serving.

Enjoy this dish with some Lavash bread, Garlic and Ginger vinaigrette, and hot and spicy ketchup.

INGREDIENTS FOR THE VINAIGRETTE:

3-4 Garlic cloves

1/2" piece of ginger

2 Green chillies

1/4 cup of white wine vinegar

1/4 cup of Olive oil

Salt to taste

METHOD:

Using a mortar and pestle, mash the garlic cloves, ginger and green chillies. Transfer this to a bowl and add the white wine vinegar, olive oil, and salt.  Whip this well.