Finally, another post! I need to tell you guys so many things. Of course, the first and foremost would be an update of my weight loss challenge. I am on the last, that is the 6th week of my weight loss challenge. I have worked out 6 days most weeks and have successfully resisted the dark side of the foodie me. Yes, a side, which follows the taste buds blindly into submission. As much as I love food, I would like to have the mind take charge and not let a slice of a chocolate cake get me to go weak in my knees. Honestly, this challenge has been more of the mind than the body.
Chicken Tikka Masala Recipe
Ok, so 35 days into it, I have lost about 13 pounds, gone down 2 dress sizes, have firmer arms and legs, have no migraines or debilitating headaches, have a tremendous amount of energy and have been off soda and junk the entire time. That in itself is a great feat but all these have been assisted and facilitated by an ever encouraging community of challengers that I am part of and of course, the awesome trainers. I am not sure whether I will be able to do the 20 lbs but I never felt so accomplished in my life before.
I feel for the first time I have put myself first and thought about myself. I feel that I so deserve this, a chance to transform my life. I am not getting any younger, but enabling myself to get to a place where my body image does not torture me is absolutely life changing for me. I am glad that I finally got around to start this journey and it is not going to end in 6 weeks. The challenge may end but I will not quit, not this time.
I have been eating very healthy. A typical meal for me consists of a lean protein like chicken breast or white fish, brown rice and loads of greens. However, I have been cooking indulgent meals for the family sometimes. In fact, on Sundays, I do cook Ms. G something that she likes. And a curry with a Makhni (Butter) base is an absolute family favorite. So a couple of weeks back on a Sunday, I made this Chicken Tikka Masala Recipe. This is one of those recipes, which is very common to Indian households. It’s rich, creamy and luscious and when paired with hot fluffy Naans, it is a match made in heaven. Most Indians have a recipe for this curry base, may be with little tweaks here and there. And here’s my version. I don’t know when but whenever Ms. G starts cooking, I am sure we will get to see a lot of this Chicken Tikka Masala Recipe.
Chicken Tikka Masala Recipe
- Prep Time: 20
- Cook Time: 25
- Total Time: 45
Description
Try out this delicious and mouth watering Chicken Tikka Masala Recipe at home. A deliciously rich and creamy Indian Chicken Curry.
Ingredients
Marinade for the Chicken
- Boneless Chicken Breast/Thighs – 1 pound
- Yogurt – 2/3 cup
- Ginger Paste – 2 tsp
- Garlic Paste – 2 tsp
- Garam Masala – 2 tsp
- Red chili powder – 2 tsp
- Vinegar – 2 tbsp
- Peanut Oil – 2 tbsp( or any Vegetable oil)
- Cilantro Stalks – ½ cup, finely chopped
- Pam Spray – as required
For the Sauce
- Onion paste – 2/3 cup
- Garlic – 11/2 tbsp, mined
- Ginger – 1 tsp, minced
- Tomato Puree – 2 cups (Homemade)
- Tomato paste – 1 tbsp
- Coriander Powder – 2 tsp
- Cumin Powder – 2 tsp
- Garam Masala – 2 tsp
- Nutmeg powder – ½ tsp
- Kashmiri Chili powder – 2 tsp
- Red Chili powder – 1 tsp
- Bay leaf – 1
- Cinnamon Stick – 1 inch
- Sugar – To taste
- Salt – To taste
- Butter – ½ cup
- Cashew paste – 2 tbsp( optional)
- Heavy Cream – ½ cup +1 tbsp for garnish
- Kasoori Methi – 11/2 tbsp (Dried Fenugreek Leaves)
- Cilantro – 2 tbsp, finely chopped
Instructions
- Make a marinade using all the ingredients in the first block.
- Cut the chicken in bite sized pieces.
- Mix all the ingredients of the marinade and coat the chicken with it. Let it rest 4-5 hours or overnight.
- Next morning, put the meat pieces in skewers, spray a thin film of oil (Pam) and grill either on an open frame or under the broiler for about 5 minutes on each sides and until they look a little charred.
- Keep aside
For the sauce
- In a pan, heat the butter and add the Bay Leaf and cinnamon stick.
- Throw in the onion, garlic and ginger. Stir until the onion look translucent.
- Add the tomato puree, tomato paste and the cashew paste. Stir and let it cook for 4-5 mins.
- Add in the spices, chicken, sugar and salt to taste. Stir to mix . Let this cook for 4-5 mins. Cover it and stir periodically.
- Add the heavy cream and stir and let it cook for 2 minutes.
- Remove from the stove and add the kasoori methi and cilantro. Mix everything in.
- Serve in a dish and add the tablespoon of cream on top for garnish.
- This dish best goes with white rice and naan.
Notes
- If you want to make the dish light, replace heavy cream with 2/3 cups of coconut milk.
- For homemade tomato puree, put the tomatoes in boiling water for 5 minutes. Take them out and remove the peel and then blitz them.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3
- Calories: 775
- Sugar: 8
- Sodium: 320
- Fat: 46
- Saturated Fat: 24
- Unsaturated Fat: 17
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 36
- Protein: 59
- Cholesterol: 255
Keywords: Chicken Tikka Masala
Find it online: https://www.myfridayfoodswings.com/chicken-tikka-masala/ [5]