Showing posts with label basmati rice. Show all posts
Showing posts with label basmati rice. Show all posts

Dec 28, 2014

Indian Butter Chicken



1 ½ cups full-fat Greek yogurt
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 ½ tablespoons ground turmeric
2 tablespoons garam masala
2 tablespoons ground cumin
3 pounds chicken thighs, on the bone
¼ pound unsalted butter
4 teaspoons neutral oil, like vegetable or canola oil
2 medium-size yellow onions, peeled and diced
4 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
3 tablespoons fresh ginger, peeled and grated or finely diced
1 tablespoon cumin seeds
1 cinnamon stick
2 medium-size tomatoes, diced
2 red chiles, like Anaheim, or 1 jalapeño pepper, seeded and diced
 Kosher salt to taste
⅔ cup chicken stock, low-sodium or homemade
1 ½ cups cream
1 ½ teaspoons tomato paste
3 tablespoons ground almonds, or finely chopped almonds
½ bunch cilantro leaves, stems removed.

Directions:

Whisk together the yogurt, lemon juice, turmeric, garam masala and cumin in a large bowl. Put the chicken in, and coat with the marinade. Cover, and refrigerate (for up to a day).

In a large pan over medium heat, melt the butter in the oil until it starts to foam. Add the onions, and cook, stirring frequently, until translucent. Add the garlic, ginger and cumin seeds, and cook until the onions start to brown.

Add the cinnamon stick, tomatoes, chiles and salt, and cook until the chiles are soft, about 10 minutes.

Add the chicken and marinade to the pan, and cook for 5 minutes, then add the chicken stock. Bring the mixture to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer, uncovered, for approximately 30 minutes.

Stir in the cream and tomato paste, and simmer until the chicken is cooked through, approximately 10 to 15 minutes.

Add the almonds, cook for an additional 5 minutes and remove from the heat. 

Garnish with the cilantro leaves.

(from Foodgawker & the New York Times)

Jan 7, 2013

Chicken Tikka Masala



I could eat Indian food several times a week and since I'm a huge fan of Chicken Tikka Masala, I found a recipe online and am sharing it with all of you.

EDITS: I didn't have a Serrano chili so I used an Anaheim pepper instead. This recipe isn't really hot, it's got flavor, but not heat ... so adjust the Cayenne and chili peppers to your liking. I also cut the chicken into one inch pieces prior to cooking instead of leaving them whole until the end. Other than the spice rub mixture not coating all the meat at first, I found no other issues by cutting them first or last. I did make half of a second serving of the spice rub and used it all. Everything came out perfect.


Ingredients:
(Servings: 4-6)


Chicken Tikka

  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1 teaspoon table salt
  • 2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts, trimmed of fat
  • 1 cup plain yogurt
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 2 medium garlic cloves (minced or pressed through a garlic press, about 2 teaspoons)
  • 1 tablespoon fresh ginger (grated)

Masala Sauce

  • 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 1 medium onion, diced fine (about 1 1/4 cups)
  • 2 medium garlic cloves (minced or pressed through a garlic press, about 2 teaspoons)
  • 2 teaspoons fresh ginger (grated)
  • 1 serrano chili (fresh, ribs and seeds removed, flesh minced)
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 1 tablespoon garam masala
  • 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
  • 2 teaspoons sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon table salt
  • 2/3 cup heavy cream
  • 1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves (chopped)

Sides
  • 1 cup of Basmati Rice (to 2 cups water, simmer for 20-25 minutes)
  • Garlic Naan (Trader Joe's sells a 4 pack that is yummy!)
  • Optional: Peas (Use the frozen, steam fresh bag. I found that the canned peas are too mushy.)

Directions:

1: FOR THE CHICKEN: Combine cumin, coriander, cayenne, and salt in small bowl. Sprinkle both sides of chicken with spice mixture, pressing gently so mixture adheres. Place chicken on plate, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 30 to 60 minutes. In large bowl, whisk together yogurt, oil, garlic, and ginger; set aside.

2: FOR THE SAUCE: Heat oil in large Dutch oven over medium heat until shimmering. Add onion and cook, stirring frequently, until light golden, 8 to 10 minutes. Add garlic, ginger, chile, tomato paste, and garam masala; cook, stirring frequently, until fragrant, about 3 minutes. Add crushed tomatoes, sugar, and salt; bring to boil. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in cream and return to simmer. Remove pan from heat and cover to keep warm.
3. While sauce simmers, adjust oven rack to upper-middle position (about 6 inches from heating element) and heat broiler. Using tongs, dip chicken into yogurt mixture (chicken should be coated with thick layer of yogurt) and arrange on wire rack set in foil-lined rimmed baking sheet or broiler pan. Discard excess yogurt mixture. Broil chicken until thickest parts register 160 degrees on instant-read thermometer and exterior is lightly charred in spots, 10 to 18 minutes, flipping chicken halfway through cooking.

4. Let chicken rest 5 minutes, then cut into 1-inch chunks and stir into warm sauce (do not simmer chicken in sauce). Stir in cilantro, adjust seasoning with salt, and serve.
5. Serve with Basmati rice and Nann.