Balti Chicken Pasanda Food

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.

BALTI CHICKEN PASANDA

Steps:

• In a large mixing bowl, combine the yogurt along with the spices (cumin seeds, cardamom pods, cinnamon stick, black peppercorns, red chili powder and salt). Add the ginger, garlic and green chilies. Stir well to combine then add the chicken pieces.
• Let marinate in the refrigerator (covered) for at least 4-6 hours (overnight is best).
• In a large deep skillet or wok on medium high heat, add the oil.
• When hot, add the onions and stir fry for 4-5 minutes until slightly browned adding garlic, ginger & thai green chilies in last minute.
• Next, carefully add the chicken along with the marinade.
• Add the tomato paste and stir well. Add in garam masala and ground almonds.
• Reduce the heat to low and let cook for 10-12 minutes until the chicken is fully cooked and tender.
• Finish with the cream and garnish with freshly chopped cilantro leaves.
• Serve with fresh naans and fragrant Basmati rice.

BALTI CHICKEN PASANDA

Steps:

• Combine Greek yogurt, ground almonds, garam masala, garlic, ginger, chili powder, salt, cumin seeds, cinnamon stick, cardamom pods, and peppercorns in a medium bowl. Mix until a smooth paste forms. Add chicken pieces and mix well to coat. Marinate for at least 2 hours.
• Heat oil in a large skillet. Add onions and cook until softened, 2 to 3 minutes. Add chicken and marinade and blend well with the onions. Cover skillet and simmer over medium heat until sauce thickens and chicken is cooked through, 12 to 15 minutes. Add chile peppers and 2 tablespoon cilantro. Pour in cream and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 1 to 2 minutes.
• Garnish servings with more fresh cilantro.

CHICKEN PASANDA BALTI STYLE

Steps:

• Mix the yogurt together with the cumin seeds, cardamoms, peppercorns, garam masala,cinnamon, ground almonds, garlic, ginger, chilli powder, and salt. Stir in the cubed chicken and allow to marinate for a couple of hours.
• Heat the oil in a wok and fry the onions for 3 minutes.
• Stir in the chicken and the spices it was marinated in and cook till the chicken is tender and the sauce thickens a little.
• Add the chopped chillies and the cream, bring to the boil and turn the heat off.
• Serve with plain boiled rice and garnished with coriander if liked.

CHICKEN PASANDA

Steps:

• Place 1/2 cup cashews in food processor and process until smooth, about 2 minutes, scraping the sides of the bowl once. Add yogurt and process until well blended. Remove from processor and set aside.
• Combine onion, lemon juice, ginger, and jalapeno in a blender or in a food processor. Process until finely chopped.
• Combine spices in a large zip lock bag. Add 1/2 tsp salt and chicken. Seal bag and shake to coat.
• Heat oil in large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken pieces. Cook 4 minutes on each side or until done. Remove chicken from pan and keep warm.
• Add onion mixture to pan. Reduce heat to medium' cook 3 minutes or until liquid evaporates, stirring frequently. Add 1/2 tsp salt and yogurt mixture to pan; cook 3 minutes or until heated, stirring frequently.
• Spoon 1/2 cup of yogurt mixture on to each of 6 plates. Top each serving with 3 chicken pieces. Sprinkle each serving with pineapple, cashews, and cilantro. Arrange 4 pita wedges on each plate.

CHICKEN PASANDA (INDIAN)

Steps:

• Heat the ghee in a large heavy pan then add the chopped onion and stir for a few minutes with the heat on high.
• Add the cinnamon and cardamons, stir a little then turn the heat down to low and cook for 5 minutes.
• Add the ginger and garlic, stir and cook for another 5 minutes on low heat stirring now and again to make sure nothing browns or burns.
• Add the turmeric, coriander and chili powder and fry gently for a minute.
• Add 1 tablespoon of yoghurt, stir round and turn the heat up so the yoghurt sizzles in the oil (don't worry, it won't split if you've used full cream yoghurt).
• When the yoghurt has lost a lot of it's moisture add another tablespoon. Stir and fry as before.
• Repeat until all the yoghurt is incorporated.
• Add the tomato purée and stir.
• Stir in hot water - enough to make the mixture very fluid.
• Bring to the boil and simmer, stirring occasionally for 5-10 minutes.
• Add salt to taste.
• While the sauce is cooking, heat a frying pan at low to moderate then add the flaked almonds. Move the almonds around the pan so they don't burn and heat until they have just taken on a brown colour. Remove from pan and blend in a mixi with a little water to make paste.
• Heat a little oil in a separate frying pan and stir-fry the chicken pieces over a moderate heat until they are sealed and have turned whitish.
• Add almond paste to the sauce and stir. Then add the chicken & simmer gently for another 20-30 minutes or until the chicken is cooked and soft. Stir from time to time. If the sauce gets too dry add a little hot water.
• At the end of the cooking you should have a fairly thick, creamy sauce with little patches of oil appearing at the top. Remove the cinnamon and cardamons (if you can find them!).
• Serve, garnished with chopped fresh coriander (cilantro) leaves.