Butter Chicken Photography by Hasnain Dattu
Serve this Indian favourite with papadams (left of rice in photograph). These crisp savoury crackers are available in supermarkets and South Asian grocery stores.
Ingredients:
2 cups (500 mL) Balkan-style plain yogurt
6 cloves garlice, minced
1 piece (1 inch/2.5 cm) gingerroot, minced
1 tbsp (15 mL) Garam Masala (recipe at bottom)
1 tbsp (15 mL) each lime juice and medium curry paste
2 tsp (10 mL) each mild paprika, ground cumin and coriander
1/2 tsp (2 mL) salt
8 air-chilled chicken breasts, with wings if desired
Butter Sauce:
1 tbsp (15 mL) vegetable oil
1 onion, chopped
1 tbsp (15 mL) Garam Masala (recipe at bottom)
2 tsp (10 mL) each mild paprika and medium curry paste
1 can (28 oz/796 mL) tomatoes
3/4 cup (175 mL) whipping cream
1/3 cup (75 mL) cold butter, cubed
1/4 cup (50 mL) chopped fresh coriander
Directions:
Click here for the step-by-step directions with images.
1. Line sieve with cheesecloth; set over bowl. Add yogurt; drain in refrigerator for 1 hour. Discard liquid; place yogurt in large bowl. Whisk in garlic, ginger, garam masala, lime juice, curry paste, paprika, cumin, coriander and salt.
2. Add chicken to bowl and turn to coat; cover and refrigerate for 24 hours, turning occasionally. Place chicken, skin side up, on rack in large shallow roasting pan; spoon yogurt mixture over top. Roast in 400°F (200°C) oven until no longer pink inside, about 45 minutes. Transfer to platter and tent with foil; let stand for 10 minutes. Skim fat from pan juices, reserving juices in pan.
3. Butter Sauce: Meanwhile, in large skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Fry onion until browned, about 10 minutes. Add garam masala, paprika and curry paste; cook, stirring often, until fragrant and beginning to stick to pan, about 5 minutes. Add tomatoes and scrape up brown bits from bottom of pan; mash tomatoes. Simmer until spoon or spatula pulled across bottom of pan leaves gap that fills in slowly, about 15 minutes. Let cool slightly. In food processor or blender, purée until smooth. Make-ahead: Let cool; cover and refrigerate for up to 24 hours.)
4. Pour sauce into roasting pan; bring to boil over medium heat, scraping up any brown bits. Add cream and butter, a few pieces at a time, cooking just until each is melted. Pour over chicken. Garnish with coriander.
Makes 8 servings.
Per serving (without skin): about 439 cal, 37 g pro, 26 g total fat (13 g sat. fat), 12 g carb, 2 g fibre, 176 mg chol, 508 mg sodium. % RDI: 15% calcium, 24% iron, 34% vit A, 33% vit C, 9% folate.
Garam Masala
Ingredients:
1 tbsp (15 mL) each broken cinnamon sticks, cardamom pods, peppercorns, whole cloves and fennel seeds
Directions:
In skillet over medium-low heat, toast cinnamon, cardamom, peppercorns and cloves until fragrant and lightly coloured, about 5 minutes. Add fennel seeds; toast for 1 minute. Transfer to spice grinder or mortar and pestle; grind to fine powder. Make-ahead: Store in airtight container for up to 1 month.) Makes 1/4 cup (50 mL).
