Dairy Free Tikka Masala Sauce Food

CHICKPEA TIKKA MASALA

Steps:

• In a large pot, heat oil or water over medium heat, add onions and cumin seeds, cook for 5 - 7 minute, until onions are browned around the edges. Add the ginger and garlic, cook 1 to 2 minutes more. Add the garam masala, turmeric, garam masala, cayenne and cook for 1 - 2 two minutes, or until nice and fragrant. Add tomatoes and cook for 4 minutes, until they breakdown a bit. Add tomato paste, chickpeas and coconut milk, stir to combine and bring to a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally. Simmer, covered, for 25 to 30 minutes over low heat, stirring occasionally. Adjust seasonings to taste.
• Serve with rice, cilantro lime rice, quinoa, couscous, or pair with vegan naan.
• Serves 6

CHICKEN TIKKA MASALA DAIRY-FREE

Steps:

• Cut the chicken breast into medium bite-sized cubes. In a large bowl, combine cubed chicken breast with all of the ingredients for the marinade. Let the chicken marinate for at least 1-2 hours, or overnight if time permits.
• In a large skillet or dutch oven, over medium heat add ~2 tbsp olive oil. Once the oil is hot, add chicken pieces and saute for 2-3 minutes on each side (no more than 6 minutes). Cook chicken in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan. Remove the chicken when it becomes golden on the outside and set aside. The chicken will finish cooking in the sauce.
• In the same pan, add 2 tbsp cooking oil. (You can wipe the remains of the chicken out first if you like.) Next, add onion and saute for 5 minutes. Then, add garlic and ginger and saute for an additional 2 minutes (making sure to stir continuously to prevent burning).
• Add tomato paste to the mixture and stir well. Add the remaining seasonings to the mixture and saute for about 30 seconds, until fragrant.
• Add the diced chicken and remaining marinade and mix well, saute for about 2-3 minutes. Reduce the heat to medium-low. Pour in the tomato puree and mix well. Add chopped jalapenos (optional). Cover and simmer for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• While the chicken tikka masala is simmering, prepare the cashew cream. Bring 24 ounces of water to a boil. In a bowl, pour the water over 1 1/2 cup of cashews and allow the cashews to soak for 15 minutes.
• After 15 minutes, drain the cashews and add to a high-powered blender with 2 cups chicken broth and 2 garlic cloves. Blend until smooth, about 1-2 minutes.
• Add the cashew cream to the sauce and stir well. Over medium-high heat, allow the dish to cook for 5-10 minutes, until the sauce is thick and bubbling.
• Garnish with fresh cilantro and serve with basmati rice and naan. Enjoy!

NEXT LEVEL TIKKA MASALA

Steps:

• Remove the skin from the chicken and slash each thigh two or three times. Put into a bowl or plastic container and toss with the lime juice and ½ tsp salt. Set aside while you make the marinade.
• In a small food processor, blitz the ginger and garlic to make a paste, adding a splash of water if needed. Set aside half of the paste for the sauce. Tip the remaining marinade ingredients into the food processor, then blitz to a smooth paste. Pour the paste over the chicken and marinate for at least 4 hrs (overnight or 24 hrs is even better).
• To make the sauce, heat 2 tbsp of the ghee or butter in a large shallow pan with a lid. Cook the onions for 15 mins over a medium heat until starting to brown. Add the spices and remaining garlic and ginger paste, and cook for 2 mins. Stir in the tomato purée, ground almonds, a pinch of sugar and vinegar. Cook for about 1 min. Pour in the passata, then fill the jar or carton halfway up with water and add this too. Bring to a gentle simmer, then cook for 2-3 hrs until you have a thick, red sauce. Can be kept chilled in the fridge for up to 48 hrs while you marinate the chicken.
• Set the grill to its highest setting. Lift the chicken from the marinade, wiping off any excess back into the dish and reserve for the sauce. Arrange the chicken on a large baking tray cut-side up. Put under the grill for 10-15 mins until charred and starting to blacken. Remove the tray from the oven and set aside with the cooking juices. Reheat the sauce, adding the reserved marinade, then tip the chicken and any pan juices with the crème fraîche or cream into the curry sauce. Cook for 40 mins until the chicken is completely tender. Stir the remaining butter or ghee in at the end.
• Leave the curry to sit for a few mins, then season with the garam masala and smoked salt, if using. Sprinkle with coriander and flaked almonds, then serve with naan bread and rice, if you like.