Chicken Tikka Masala!!!!

Chicken Tikka Masala the nations gone mad over the curry. In England its the most top rated and favorite dish of all. So i thought why not give a version i learnt from my friend who is a top chef.

The dish normally is quite red that's because red food colouring Be's added to the masala paste so that's the only additive in the curry but you could always deduct that and it will taste just as good.

Right so i have decided to make Chicken Tikka Masala the restaurant style way so its going to have 4 different steps of cooking because im going to give you the full recipe from the gravy and masala paste and to the chicken tikka. Don't worry i will make it has simple as possible and I'm sure the end results going to be worth it.

Now lets start with the ingredients.

INGREDIENTS:
For the chicken tikka masala:

• Chicken tikka pieces
• 3 tbsp masala paste
• 2-3 cups base gravy
• 2-3 tbsp coconut powder
• 1tbsp sugar

For the Chicken tikka:

• 2 Chicken breasts cubed
• 1tsp ginger, 1tsp garlic
• 1tsp chilli powder
• Salt to taste
• 1 whole lime juice
• 1/2 tsp turmeric
• 1tsp coriander powder
• 1/2 tsp garam masala
• 2 tbsp yogurt (plain)
• 1tsp tikka paste
• 2 tsp of mustard oil

For the Masala paste:
You do not use all the masala paste only use 3 tbsp of it and preserve the rest:

• 500ml plain yogurt
• 2tbsp tomato paste
• 3 tbsp tandoori paste
• 2 tbsp tikka paste
• 1 tsp of mix powder (curry powder)
• 1&1/2 tsp of garam masala
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp Coleman's mint
• 1 tsp of red food colouring (optional)

Finally for the Base Gravy;
Again the is for large amount and only use 2 cups of it:

• 2 chopped onion
• 1 carrot
• 1&1/2 peppers
• 2tsp garlic and ginger paste each
• 1tsp salt
  
• vegetable oil or ghee 3 tbsp
• half can of tinned tomatoes
• 1tsp tomato paste
• fresh coriander
  
• 1tsp of all spices each; garam masala, cumin, coriander, turmeric powders
• 1tsp methi (fenugreek leafs)
• 100ml oil
  

Finally the ingredients are done, i know it looks like allot but that's the secret... the curry looks so simple but in fact it actually bursting with flavours.
Now theres only two 3 separate steps of cooking so first lets start with the chicken tikka.

Chicken tikka:
Step 1... Mix all the spices and the yogurt together and then add the chicken.
After adding the chicken mix it in the marination and then marinate it for 1 hour or more.

Step 2... Once the chicken has marinated put them in to skewers and grill them for about 10-15mins in medium heat and base them with oil in between turning them.
Done.... now put them to a side.

That's the chicken tikka done. So now lets with the BASE GRAVY. Remember you can do the base gravy while your chicken is marinating.

Base Gravy:
Step 1... Heat the pot up with the oil, once oil is heated add the onions, carrots, peppers and garlic and ginger and saute for about 3-4 mins then add everything else in the base Gravy ingredients list.

Step 2... Add 1 & 1/2 Litres of water in the pot and bring to a boil. Once the pot has come to a boil cover it with a lid and let it boil for 1 hour.

Step 3... After a hour let it cool down a little and then Blend it in to a nice not to thin or not to thick consistency.
Done...

That's the base gravy done. While you do the base gravy make sure you make the masala paste, basically mix everything together from the masala paste ingredient list.

So that's the everything done just the main cooking of the Chicken tikka masala is left to be done which is quite easy so get ready for the final step.

CHICKEN TIKKA MASALA:
Step 1... In a pan put the coconut powder and the sugar and mix around until heated.

Step 2... Add the gravy base and simmer for 2 mins. Once simmered add the masala paste and stir, then add the chicken pieces and start reducing it.

Step 3... Once reduced add some single cream and garnish with fresh coriander.

Done!!!!

Now that felt like a mission. But finally we have finished. I hope you enjoy it with a nan or pilau.
Like i say "yummy in my tummy".

Dhal Tadka (Lentil Curry)

Dhal who doesn't fancy a bowl of dhal with some rice or a puri. When ever i cook Dhal in my house the family goes crazy over it and it doesn't take time before you know its all gone.

So i cooked Dhal today with love and passion knowing the family are going to love it. It is a lovley vegetarian dish so enjoy non meat eaters.

Lentils are packed with nutrients, fiber, complex carbohydrates, and folic acid. Lentils are a low calorie, low fat, and cholesterol free food.

I like making my dishes unique so of course ill put a little twist in my Dhal so see if you can notice it. So lets start with the ingredients, now I'm going to use Red split lentils, i like them the best but you could use any lentils you want but the cooking time could be affected.

Now lets see what goes inside the Dhal tadka...

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 & 1/2 cup Red Spilt Lentils washed
  
• 5 cups of water
• 1/4 tsp of turmeric powder
  
• salt and pepper to taste
• 1 tsp cumin seeds
• 1/2 tsp mustard seeds
• 4 Birds eye chilli or 1 tsp chilli flakes
• 1 lemon juice
• 3 green chilli slitted
• 2 Tbsp Ghee or vegetable oil
• Bay leaf
• 1 small onion
• 4-5 cloves of garlic chopped, minced or grated
  
• Coriander leafs to garnish.

That's the ingredients done i know it looks like allot of stuff but trust me the taste is going to be mind blowing. Now lets start with the method remember there's going to be 2 steps of cooking, first cooking the dhal and then the tadka (fry)....

Cooking the Lentil...
Step 1... In a medium pot put the lentils, water, bay leaf, salt, Turmeric powder and the chopped onions together and bring to the boil. Boil the lentils until it has come to to very soft almost mushy and all the water and evaporated . Add the green chillis and put on medium heat.

The tadka...
Step 2... Now lets start with the tadka, the exciting part for me. Get a non stick frying pan heat the ghee or oil. Once the ghee is heated up add the birds eye chilli or the chilli flakes then add the cumin seeds and mustard seeds, when they start popping add the garlic and fry until garlic gets browned.

Step 3... When the garlic gets browned quickly add the fry into the dhal pot and it should sizzle.
Instantly add the lemon juice boil for further 5 - 10 mins and garnish with coriander leafs.

Done...

You could serve this with rice or roti, parathas and puri's. By now the kitchen is probley full of aromatic smell that you can almost taste it in your mouth like i always say..

"Yummy In My Tummy"