Red masala chicken

15:16 22/05/2019

Preparation time : 20 minsCooking time : 30 minsServings : 6

Ingredients

 1 Tbs ghee
 2 Tbs oil
 1/4 onion- finely chopped
 1/2 tsp cumin
 1 Tbs ground cumin and coriander
 1 tsp rough salt
 1/2 Tbs chilli powder
 1 and 1/2 Tbs red ginger and garlic masala
 1 Tbs ground garlic
 small knob of ginger
 1/2 Tbs methi masala (available from Indian grocers)
 2 Tbs tomato puree
 1 Tbs tomato sauce
 2 Tbs lemon juice
 3-4 cloves
 a few peppercorns
 1 cinnamon stick
 2-3 whole cardamom
 1 kg whole chicken - cut into 6 portions
 3 green chillies - whole
 1 stick of butter - width of a finger
 1/4 cup water
Method

In a pan add: 1 tbsp ghee + 2 tbsp oil and a quarter finely chopped onion and allow
to fry until soft and slightly golden.

Add the whole cumin, cloves, peppercorns, cinnamon stick and cardamom to the
onion and ghee mix.

Add 2 tbsp of vinegar to this mixture.

Add the red masala and let it cook for a few seconds.

Add the salt, dhana jeeru powder and the balance of the ingredients.

Finally add a tsp of saffron water for colour, and a quarter tsp of white pepper.

This mixture should be thick and saucy.

Allow it to cool slightly and smear your chicken pieces (they should be slit a bit)

Add butter (a finger width) and a quarter cup of water.

Add 3 whole green chilies for extra heat, adjust colour if required by adding saffron
powder.

Start off on high to get the butter melted.

Reduce to medium and cool slowly.

Bring back to high for the sauce to thicken and 'burn' slightly.

Fry potato wedges and add in 5 mins prior to serving to steam along with the juices.

The trick: Cooking the marinade, smearing it onto the chicken, allowing to rest and
finishing it off with a gentle heat on the stove-top.