Chicken Tikka Masala Recipe

Always yearn for the best or just something different to taste? Check out this Chicken Tikka Masala recipe without haste!

The problem, with having high expectations, is that we are let down more often than not, yet if we are able to lower the bar, the same effort, that caused us dismay before, can turn into a thrilling experience.

It’s not like we should give up on our dreams and be content with what we have but we have to learn to aim just one stretch higher that is our current limit at a time and increase the challenge gradually.

Many people get discouraged when hitting a high wall, yet if the same problem presented for them in smaller increments, most can solve the situation all the same.

It’s all about a state of mind. If we see a glass half full of problems, pour some of the water into another cup. At the end, we still have to cope with the same amount of liquid but our perception about the scope of the problem will change and with that, our resolution to see it through to the end.

Apparently, losing weight or even just getting on a healthy lifestyle, seems like exactly such a impenetrable high wall for many. Millions try to change their life overnight as a New Year’s resolution, year after year after year, only to fall deeper behind their goals when they can’t reach the top at the first try.

Change is hard, especially when everything seems to be still around us. We are hardwired to blend into society around us, so we’ll be accepted as a member of the group and enjoy all the benefits and more importantly, protection that comes with it.

Although such blending in was much more pronounced when we were fighting for survival on the prairie but even today we use the same tactics too at a workplace, get promoted or not to diet.

Amazingly, the people surrounding us in our daily life, not just determine what we see as a normal behavior but normal body type too. If our friends and family members are overweight, smoking or drinking, we are more likely see it as a normal way of life and take up drinking, smoking and grow fat. However if we were in an environment where such things were uncommon, we wouldn’t even think about it.

Once we got into these habits, it is way harder to get out of them, not just because some substances are addictive but because first we have to realize that the normal environment, we are in, is bad for us and in fact it shouldn’t be normal at all.

Just imagine being fond of a specific food only to be served something entirely different each time we have them outside of of our favorite diner or worst of all being told that it doesn’t even exist.

Chicken Tikka Masala is Britain’s Ragu. Which basically means that there are as many variations of it as many chefs who prepare it.

Some of us may think that Chicken Tikka Masala is Indian but apart from that, it was dreamt up by Indian chefs living in the UK, it has very little to do with the Indian subcontinent in general. Sure, it has some typical Indian spices, like turmeric but otherwise the dish is adjusted to local tastes and customs.

Since its invention, the dish not just became a subject of national British pride but spread all across the globe and it can be found in Indian restaurants all over the world.

Similarly, to the Italian Ragu, there are no gold standard in making the recipe and many times the only common ingredient among a variety of Chicken Tikka Masala recipes, is the chicken and the gravy it is soaked in.

So, if we come to a situation where we have to order Chicken Tikka Masala and we don’t want to be disappointed in what’s arriving on our plate, lowering our expectations will provide a more cheerful dining experience.

Taking our experience further and further, one bite at the time will ensure, we can finish what we have started, even though initially the task seemed overwhelmingly impossible.

Ingredients

Spice and herbs mix

• 4 teaspoons / 10g Turmeric
• 2 teaspoons / 5g Garam masala
• 2 teaspoons / 3g Coriander (ground)
• 2 teaspoons / 3g Cumin (ground)
• 2 teaspoons / 4g Paprika
• 8 cloves / 30g Garlic (grated)
• 4 teaspoons / 20g Ginger (grated)

Chicken

• 2 lb / 1kg Chicken
• 1 tablespoon / 15g Salt
• 1½ cup / 350ml Yogurt

Sauce

• 3 tablespoons / 50g Ghee
• 1 medium / 150g Onion (finely cut)
• 6 pieces / 2g Cardamon pod
• 28 oz / 800g Tomato sauce or whole peeled tomatoes
• 1 tablespoon / 10g Red pepper (diced)
• 2 cups / 500ml Heavy cream
• ¾ cup / 35g Coriander (finely cut)
• Optional
  • Chili

 

How to make Chicken tikka masala

Preparation

1. Grind dried spices and herbs.
2. Grate ginger and garlic then mix with ground spices and salt.
3. Cut the chicken up into pieces. Rub salt in.
4. Mix half of the spice mixture with yogurt and the chicken pieces. Marinate the chicken in the fridge for 4 – 24 hours.

Sauce

1. Heat ghee to medium high then sauté (stir fry) diced onion, cardamon and optional chilly until glassy / translucent look.
2. Mix in the other half of the spice mixture then sauté until darkens, about 5 minutes.
3. Add tomato puree, red pepper flakes if any used then place the lid on and bring it to boil. Reduce heat, take lid a bit off and simmer on low heat until sauce thickened, about 30 – 40 minutes.
4. Add cream and cilantro.

Chicken

Skillet

1. Heat ghee or oil to high and sear at least two sides of the chicken until golden brown.

Oven

1. Stick the chicken pieces onto skewers.
2. Roast them under the highest setting of the broiler until golden brown spots start to appear.

Assembly

1. Mix the chicken pieces into the sauce.
2. Bring it to boil then simmer for 10 minutes so the meat completely cooks through.
3. Let it cool off a bit before serving.
4. Serve it traditionally with rice or go berserk and serve it with gnocchi or ricotta gnocchi.

Enjoy!

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