Tikka Masala II

Have I told you how much I LOVE Paratha? Well, now I am cooking meals with the intent of eating paratha.  It has been a long while since I cooked Tikka Masala so I found a recipe on Allrecipes.com that looked promising.

This was a phenomenal recipe!  But this recipe calls for WAAAAAAAY too much salt.  I felt there was too much when I started out so I halved it and it was STILL WAAAY too much salt.  I am feeling concerned for the author of this recipe and think it might be a good idea for them to visit their doctor.  I would use tops, a half teaspoon for the marinade and sauce each.

Tikka Masala
1 cup yogurt
1 tablespoon lemon juice
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
2 teaspoons freshly ground ginger
4 teaspoons salt or to taste - SERIOUSLY....CUT BACK!!!
3 chicken breasts cut into cubes.

1 tablespoon butter
1 clove garlic, minced
1 jalapeno pepper, minced
2 teaspoons ground cumin
2 teaspoons paprika
3 teaspoons salt - MORE LIKE 1/2 teaspoon salt
1 8 oz. can tomato sauce
1 cup heavy cream - I used half and half it turn out GREAT!
1/4 cup chopped cilantro.

In large bowl, combine yogurt, lemon juice, cumin, cinnamon, cayenne, black pepper, ginger and salt - REMEMBER TO CUT BACK!!!! Stir in chicken, cover and refrigerate for 1 hour.

Preheat grill for high heat.

Lightly oil the grill grate.  Thread chicken onto skewers and discard marinade.  Grill until juices run clear.  About 5 minutes each side.

Melt butter in large heavy skillet over medium heat.  Saute garlic and jalapeno for 1 minute. Season with 2 teaspoons cumin, paprika and salt - MINIMAL SALT!  I used 1 tsp and it was still WAY too much! Stir in tomato sauce and cream.  Simmer on low heat until sauce thickens, about 20 minutes.  Add grilled chicken and simmer for 10 minutes.  Transfer to a serving platter and garnish with fresh cilantro.

I really liked this Tikka Masala.  It was so flavorful...minus the over use of the salt.  I still can't believe the author of this recipe called for this much salt.  I served this up with a side of the yummy Pakistani chickpeas I made a couple of weeks ago.  SO YUMMY!!!

Loving the Pakistani Food!

Oh dear.  I think my neighbors have created a monster by introducing me to the local Pakistani store.  I've already been back to get more Paratha and boxes of seasoning.  The guys at the Pakistani store were teasing me because I bought so many packets of the frozen Paratha bread.  That stuff ROCKS!!!!  I even tried to find a recipe to make it online and it is time consuming.  Check out this YouTube video I found that shows how to make it.  I'm able to purchase a pack of 5-6 paratha for $1.50.

On my second visit to the Pakistani store I picked up a new package of seasoning for Kafta Curry. WOOOEEEEE!!!  This stuff is SPICY!!!  Alex and I have a rating system on spicy.  I like things that are spicy and Alex likes things that burn your mouth leaving your taste buds on the verge of blisters!!!  This stuff was on the brink of being Alex spicy.  So reader beware!

Kofta  Curry with Beef Meatballs:

1.5 lbs ground beef - you really could use any kind of ground meat...next time I want to try chicken!

2 onions, purree'd

1 1/2 cups plain yogurt

1 tablespoon garlic paste

2 tablespoons cilantro

1 packet Shan Kofta Curry Mix

2 tablespoons oil

2-3 cups water

Combine meat, half the ground onions (I use my immersion blender), half the yogurt and 2 tablespoons Kofta Curry mix.  Roll into small meatballs and cook.  I browned mine on the outside and then put them in a preheated oven at 350F for 15 mins. 

 

Heat 2 tablespoons oil in pan and fry remaining onion purree until golden brown. Add garlic, the remaining yogurt and the Kofta Curry Mix. Stir fry for a few minutes then add 2-3 cups water.  Boil for about 15 minutes on medium heat.  

Add meatballs and reduce the heat.  Cook until sauce reduces down.

I have fallen in LOVE with this yummy Pakistani cooking, so I suspect you will be seeing a LOT more of it on my blog!  YAY!!!  The best part about cooking this food at home is that I can reduce the amount of oil the recipes on the box call for to make it much healthier.  For instance, the recipe on the box of Shan Kofta Curry calls for a cup to a cup and a half of oil!!!!!  I use a couple of teaspoons and call it good.

I really do hope you venture into your local Indian or Pakistani store to find some of these spices.  If you don't want to do that, contact me and I will mail you some from my local store!!!!