Ingredients:

  Amount  Measure       Ingredient -- Preparation Method
--------  ------------  --------------------------------
   5      tablespoons   vegetable oil
     3/4  teaspoon      whole cumin seeds
   1      1 inch stick  cinnamon
   6      whole         cardamom pods
   2                    bay leaves
     1/4  teaspoon      whole peppercorns
   2      medium        onions -- peeled and minced
   6      cloves        garlic -- peeled and minced
   1      1 inch cube   ginger peeled and minced
   6      medium        tomatoes* -- peeled and finely
                        -- chopped
   3      pounds        chicken pieces -- skinned
   1 1/2  teaspoons     salt
     1/8  teaspoon      cayenne powder -- to 1/2
     1/2  teaspoon      garam masala

Preparation:

* canned tomatoes may be substituted Heat oil in a large, wide pot over a medium-high flame. When hot, put in the cumin seeds, cinnamon, cardamom, bay leave, and peppercorns. Stir once and then put in the onions, garlic and ginger. Stir this mixture around until the onion picks up brown specks. Now put in the tomatoes, chicken, salt, and cayenne pepper. Stir to mix and bring to a boil. Cover tightly, turn heat to low and simmer for 25 minutes or until chicken is tender. Stir a few times during this cooking period. Remove cover and turn up heat to medium. Sprinkle in the garam masala and cook, stirring gently for about 5 minutes in order to reduce the liquid somewhat.