Chicken Frankie (Dadar Shivaji Park style)

All those who have eaten a Chicken Frankie at the Tibbs outlet at Shivaji Park Dadar in Mumbai will agree with me when I say that the frankie you get there is surpassed by none. It's spicy ,hot ,tangy and the outer roll is filled with the most delicious and tender spicy chicken. If you have just spent a whole morning shopping in Dadar, and are looking for some great tasting food to replenish your energy conserves so that you can shop some more later then this is the place to head for. After reading this you might be under the impression that I am a regular there, but the fact is that I have frequented that place only twice in my life, but the taste was so awesome that every time I think of Frankies that's the only place I remember.

So some days back when I made these at home I tried my level best to replicate the taste and must say I did succeed to some extent. After all some things always taste best when eaten at the road side. I am sure you all agree.

But here's how I went about it:

To make about 6 frankies you will need:

250 gms boneless chicken cut into bite size pieces,

puree of 2 tomatoes,

1 onion finely chopped,

4 to 5 cloves of garlic crushed,

1 inch piece of ginger finely grated,

1.5 tspn amchoor powder (dry mango powder)

1 tspn chilly powder, (more if you want it hotter)

1 tspn garam masala,

1/2 tspn coriander powder,

1/2 tspn cumin powder,

3 to 4 tblspns fresh coriander chopped

1 tblspn fresh mint coarsely chopped

2 to 3 tblspns oil

salt to taste

Method:

1. Heat the oil in a saute pan and fry the garlic ginger for a minute,

2. Add to that the chopped onion and fry further till onion is golden,

3. Next add the tomato puree and all the spice powders except for the amchoor ( chilly, cumin , coriander and garam masala) ,

4. Now cook on a moderate flame till the tomato is thoroughly cooked and as lost some of its moisture,

5. Add the chicken pieces at this stage and cook further adding a little amount of water if needed . We want a moist filling for the frankie but not a runny one (Chicken will take about 4 to 5 minutes to cook. Don't overcook as the chicken will go dry and rubbery),

6. Once the chicken is cooked add the amchoor, fresh coriander, mint and salt and give it a stir. Give it a taste and set aside.

For the outer Roll:

You need:

1 cup wholemeal flour and 1 cup plain flour (maida)

1 tspn salt

1 tblspn oil

Mix all the above ingredients into a soft dough.

This dough will make about 6 large wraps or chapatis

Roll out the wraps one at a time and half roast them.

When all the wraps are cooked keep them covered till you need them. Also keep at hand 2 eggs .

For the salad stuffing:

1 onion thinly sliced,

1 cup cabbage thinly sliced,

1 cup shredded lettuce,

2 tspns lemon juice,

1/2 tspn chilly powder,

a pinch of salt

Now to assemble the frankie:

1. Break one egg into a bowl and lightly beat it. Heat the tawa (flat pan) and spray a little oil on it . Place one wrap on the hot tawa and brush it generously with some egg . Flip the wrap onto the other side and let the egg cook well. This will form a delicious egg coating on the inside of the wrap.

2. Remove the wrap from the tawa. In the centre of the wrap place 2 tblspns of the chicken stuffing and some of the raw salad stuffing. Dot it with any spicy sauce of your choice and roll it up into a fabulous frankie.

3 Repeat the procedure with all the other wraps..

That's it. You can now dig in. Just make plenty of wraps and filling as everyone is going to ask for seconds and thirds and maybe even fourths.

Enjoy!