butter chicken

Chicken Tikka Masala
recipe adapted from bon appetit
serves 6-8

INGREDIENTS
2 lbs skinless, boneless chicken breasts, halved lengthwise (can do a mix of breasts and thighs)

For the marinade:
1/2 head of garlic, finely minced
4 inch piece of ginger, finely grated
4 tsp ground turmeric
2 tsp garam masala
2 tsp ground coriander
2 tsp ground cumin

1 1/2 cups plain full fat yogurt (not Greek)
2 tbsp kosher salt

For the sauce:
3 tbsp ghee or vegetable oil
1/4 cup tomato paste
1 onion, thinly sliced
6 cardamom pods, crushed
1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes

2 15oz cans whole peeled tomatoes
2 cups heavy cream
3/4 cup chopped cilantro, plus sprigs for garnish

METHOD:
1. In a small glass bowl, combine garlic, ginger, turmeric, garam masala, coriander and cumin. Set aside.

2. In a large glass casserole dish, make the marinade by mixing yogurt, salt and half of spice mixture. Add chicken and turn to coat. Cover and chill 4-6 hours. Cover and chill remaining spice mixture.

3. In a large heavy pot or Dutch oven, heat ghee over medium heat. Add onions, tomato paste, cardamom and crushed red pepper flakes. Cook, stirring often, until tomato paste has darkened and onion is soft, about 5 minutes. Add remaining half of spice mixture and cook, stirring often, until bottom of pot begins to brown, about 4 minutes.

4. Add tomatoes and crush them into the sauce, scraping up any fond that has developed. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer until sauce thickens, about 10 minutes.

5. Add cream and chopped cilantro. Simmer, stirring occasionally until sauce thickens, about 30-40 minutes.

6. Meanwhile, preheat broiler. Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil and set a wire rack inside sheet. Arrange chicken on rack in a single layer. Broil until chicken starts to blacken in spots, about 10 minutes.

7. Remove chicken to a cutting board and cut into 1-2 inch pieces. Add to sauce, and simmer, stirring occasionally, until chicken is cooked through, about 10 minutes.

8. Garnish with cilantro sprigs and serve with basmati rice, naan, a crisp green salad and Cucumber Raita.