Chicken Balti Pies Recipe 445 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.

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.

CURRIED CHICKEN PIE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 220C/200C fan/gas 7. Pour 1 tbsp oil into a flameproof casserole dish. Addthe chicken, season and fry for 4-5 mins on a medium heat, turning, until lightly browned. Remove with tongs and set aside.
• Pour another ½ tbsp oil into the casserole dish and add the spring onions. Fry gently for a couple of mins, then stir in the garlic, ginger and curry powder. Cook for 1 min, then tip the chicken back into the pan, along with the broccoli, soy sauce, coconut milk, chicken stock and cornflour mixture. Bring to the boil, then stir in the kale. Once the kale has wilted, take the dish off the heat.
• Mix the remaining oil with the splash of coconut milk. Unravel the pastry. Brush each sheet lightly with the oil mixture, then scrunch up and sit on top of the pie mixture. Scatter over the nigella seeds, then cook in the oven for 12 mins, or until the pastry is a deep golden brown. Leave to stand for a couple of mins before serving.

CREAMY CURRIED CHICKEN PIE

Steps:

• Put the chicken, quartered onion, carrot chunks, ginger, garlic and herb stalks in a large stock pot. Cover the chicken completely with water, bring to a simmer, then turn down the heat, cover and cook gently for 1 hr. Turn the chicken over halfway through cooking and top up the water if you need to. After 1 hr the chicken should be tender - try pulling a leg away from the breast with some tongs. If there's much resistance, keep cooking, checking every 10 mins or so. Carefully remove the chicken from the cooking liquid and leave to cool on a plate for about 10 mins.
• Shred the chicken meat and discard the fat and bones. Strain the cooking liquid (this is your stock) and discard the onions, carrots and other bits (or keep them to make soup). Measure out 500ml of the stock.
• Melt the butter in a pan (use the stock pan if it's empty - you don't need to wash it). Add a drizzle of oil and the chopped onion and carrot. Cook until the veg is soft, for about 8-10 mins. Stir in the flour, curry paste and turmeric, then crumble in the stock cube. As you stir, the ingredients will clump together. Keep cooking for a min or so, then add a ladleful of the chicken cooking liquid. Stir well until smooth, then add another ladleful. Continue until all of the stock has been used up and you have a smooth sauce.
• Stir the chicken, cream and chopped herbs into the sauce, then season well and remove from the heat. If freezing portions at this stage, transfer to a sealable container or bag, cool, then freeze for up to two months. Defrost thoroughly in the fridge before reheating in a pan or the microwave. See tips below for serving suggestions.
• Heat oven to 180C/160C fan/ gas 4. Transfer the creamy curried chicken to a pie dish, about 25 x 5cm. Brush 6 sheets filo pastry with a little melted butter or oil and scrunch the sheets on top of the pie, covering the filling. Bake the pie for about 45-50 mins, until the top is crisp and the curried chicken is bubbling and hot. Serve with Tenderstem broccoli, if you like.

CHICKEN BALTI PIES RECIPE - (4.4/5)

Steps:

• Heat oil in a pan over medium heat. Add onion and cook, stirring, for 5 minutes or until softened. Stir in ginger and garlic, and cook for a further 2 minutes. Add spices and stir for 1 minute, then add chicken, tomato paste and chilli and cook, stirring to coat in spices, for 6 minutes or until chicken is browned all over. Add curry leaves and stock and bring to a simmer. Cook for 15 minutes or until stock has almost completely reduced. Add flour and stir for 1 minute or until thickened and sauce is absorbed. Remove from heat and cool. Preheat oven to 200°C. Cut out 4 x 12 cm rounds from pastry and use to line 4 x 9 cm pie tins. Divide filling among each. Use remaining pastry to cut out 4 x 11 cm rounds. Cover pies with pastry rounds, crimping edges to seal. Brush with eggwash and scatter with nigella seeds. Bake for 20 minutes or until golden. Serve with buttered peas and tomato sauce.