Balti Chicken Kofta Food

BEST EVER CHICKEN BALTI

Steps:

• Blend together the tomato puree, yoghurt, garam masala, chili powder, garlic, mango chutney, salt and sugar.
• Heat oil and add tomato mixture-cook for approx 2 minutes-stirring occasionally.
• Add chopped chicken and a little cold water,and continue to cook until chicken is cooked through, stirring occasionally.
• Add chilies, coriander and cream, stir in well and cook for a few minutes more. If the sauce is a little thick just add water to achieve your preferred consistency.
• Serve with boiled rice and/or naan bread.
• N.B-This freezes well-sometimes I just make the sauce up and freeze little tubs of it.

BALTI CHICKEN KOFTA

Steps:

• Put all the ingredients with the water into a pan and cook over medium heat till all the water till the water has evaporated.
• Cool the mixture for 30 minutes.
• Put the mixture into a blender and process for 2 minutes.
• Form the mixture into about a dozen balls.
• Heat the oil in a deep pan and fry the kofta balls till light golden brown, drain on kitchen paper and serve.

HERBY CHICKEN KOFTA MEATBALLS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425°F. Pulse yellow onions and garlic in a food processor until very finely chopped.
• Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high. Add chopped onion and garlic, season with 1/2 tsp. salt, and cook, stirring, until softened and lightly browned, 10-15 minutes. Add cumin, coriander, and red pepper and cook, stirring, until fragrant, 30-60 seconds. Scrape into a large bowl and let cool slightly.
• Wipe out food processor and add parsley and mint. Pulse until finely chopped, then transfer to bowl with onion mixture. Add chicken and remaining 1 1/2 tsp. salt to bowl with onion mixture. Mix with your hands to combine, but do not overwork. Divide into 16 equal portions (about 1/3 cup per kofta). Shape into 3 1/2x2" "footballs" with tapered ends.
• Arrange patties on a rimmed baking sheet and roast, flipping halfway through, until chicken is cooked through and an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center registers 165°F, about 8 minutes per side.
• Do Ahead
• Kofta can be made 3 days ahead; transfer to an airtight container and chill, or freeze up to 6 months.

HEALTHIER CHICKEN BALTI

Steps:

• Put the chicken in a medium bowl. Mix in the lime juice, paprika, chilli powder and a grinding of black pepper (step 1), then leave to marinate for at least 15 mins, preferably a bit longer.
• Heat 1 tbsp of the oil in a large non-stick wok or sauté pan. Tip in the cinnamon stick, cardamom pods, whole chilli and cumin seeds, and stir-fry briefly just to colour and release their fragrance (step 2). Stir in the onion, garlic and ginger and fry over a medium-high heat for 3-4 mins until the onion starts to turn brown. Add the remaining oil, then drop in the chicken and stir-fry for 2-3 mins or until it no longer looks raw. Mix the turmeric, cumin, ground coriander and garam masala together. Tip into the pan, lower the heat to medium and cook for 2 mins (step 3). Pour in the passata and 150ml water, then drop in the chunks of pepper. When starting to bubble, lower the heat and simmer for 15-20 mins or until the chicken is tender.
• Stir in the tomato, simmer for 2-3 mins, then add the spinach and turn it over in the pan to just wilt. Season with a little salt. If you want to thin down the sauce, splash in a little more water. Remove the cinnamon stick, chilli and cardamom pods, if you wish, before serving. Scatter with fresh coriander and serve with warm chapatis or basmati rice, if you like.

CHICKEN KOFTAS

Steps:

• Combine all the ingredients, and then cook on a hotplate with a little oil.
• Serve with salad of avocado and cherry tomatoes and Edam cheese.
• Or with a yogurt with mustard, cumin mint lemon juice and pepper.