World Spice Merchants : Recipes : Tikka Masala

"Tikka Masala" refers to both a popular dish and the spice blend used to season the dish, but it isn't originally from India. A child of the Raj, it was created in England by Bengali chefs to appeal to the British palate, and they seem to have been wildly successful. Tikka Masala is ubiquitous in Britain, and there are some who would pit it against Yorkshire Pudding or Fish and Chips as the national dish. Try our version of Tikka Masala to see what all the fuss is about.

3 lbs. boneless chicken breasts or thighs

2 cups yogurt

2 teaspoons turmeric

3 tablespoons Tikka Masala spice blend

3 tablespoons lemon juice

1 cup chopped onion

4 tablespoons butter

1-1/2 teaspoon sea salt

Sauce:

1 lb. fresh chopped tomatoes

1-1/2 cups tomato purée

2 tablespoons tomato paste

2 tablespoons ginger paste
(2" piece fresh ginger, finely chopped, then pounded)

2 cloves garlic, smashed

1-1/2 teaspoon sea salt, or to taste

1 tablespoon honey

Cube the chicken and set aside in a bowl.
Stir together the yogurt, turmeric, Tikka Masala and lemon juice.
Pour marinade over the chicken.
Stir to coat, and marinate overnight.

Melt the butter in a large skillet, and sauté onion until translucent.
Add the chicken (lots of the yogurt will come along, and that's okay).
Sauté over medium-high heat until lightly browned on both sides.
With a slotted spoon, remove the chicken to a 9"x13" baking dish
Sprinkle with half the sea salt.
Reserve remaining marinade separately.

Combine sauce ingredients in skillet over low heat, about 5 minutes.
Pour the tomato sauce over the chicken.
Pour 1 cup of the reserved marinade atop the sauce.
Bake at 350°F approximately 30 minutes, until cooked through.
Garnish with chopped parsley or chives.
Enjoy!