Indian Lettuce Bowls With Balti Paste Food

VEGETABLE BALTI

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a large pan, then add the onion, garlic and apple and cook gently, stirring occasionally, until the onion softens, about 5-8 minutes. Stir in the curry paste.
• Tip the fresh vegetables into the pan and add the tomatoes and stock. Stir in 3 tbsp of the coriander. Bring to the boil, turn the heat to low, put the lid on and cook for half an hour.
• Remove the lid and cook for another 20 minutes until the vegetables are soft and the liquid has reduced a little. There should be some liquid remaining, but not too much. Season with salt and pepper.
• Mix 1 tbsp of coriander into the yogurt to make a raita. Ladle the curry into bowls, drizzle over some raita and sprinkle with extra coriander. Serve with the remaining raita and warm mini naan breads.

SPICED CHICKEN BALTI

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a large pan, fry the onions for 5 mins until golden and softened, then tip onto a plate. Add the chicken breasts, browning for a few mins on each side, then stir in the balti paste, quinoa and onions. Sizzle for a few mins, then pour in the tomatoes and stock and give everything a good mix. Bubble for 25 mins until the quinoa is tender and saucy.
• Stir in the cashews and most of the coriander with some seasoning, then pile into bowls and scatter over the rest of the coriander to serve.

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 SAUCE - BASIC SAUCE FOR ANYTHING GOES CURRY

Steps:

• Measure out the 8 spices into a bowl (first 8 ingredients). If using fresh chilis then leave those out for now. Warm up a large skillet or pot (ideally cast iron) and bring to med-high heat. Gently roast the spices in the dry skillet -- watching the mixture doesn't burn, keep stirring. After about a minute it will become fragrant and begin to get dark - take it off the heat and pour back into the bowl - set aside.
• Put the skillet back on the heat, add in the oil and bring back to medium high heat. Add in the chopped onion and cook thru until translucent. Once the onion is cooked, add in the ginger and garlic and mix well - watching the garlic doesn't burn. Next add the spice mixture back in, followed by the tinned tomatoes.
• Mix in about 1 cup of water - you want a thick sauce, but not too paste-like. Add in the salt, bay leaves and cardamom seeds.
• Grate the zest off of the lemon, add to the pot, along with the juice from 1/2 of the lemon. Save the other half for later, you may want to add more. Let it all simmer on medium-low.
• For a nice smooth sauce, remove the bay leaves and blend until smooth (an immersion blender works well).

INDIAN LETTUCE BOWLS WITH BALTI PASTE

Steps:

• For Balti Paste Dry Curry: Combine cinnamon stick, cumin seeds, fenugreek seeds, and yellow mustard seeds in dry frying pan. Toast over medium heat for 1 to 2 minutes, stirring steadily, until they begin to release an aroma. Transfer to bowl to cool.
• Place in spice grinder and grind to fine powder. Move to bowl and stir in turmeric and paprika. Set aside.
• For Balti Paste: Heat oil in heavy saucepan. Add onion, garlic, ginger, and whole Thai chili, and sauté over medium heat until soft but not golden. Transfer to blender along with lime zest and juice, and process to a paste. Stir in Balti Dry Curry spice mixture. Set aside to cool. Add salt and pepper to taste.
• For Lettuce Bowls: Place drained chickpeas in mixing bowl. Spoon half the Balti Paste overtop, using a spatula to gently fold it in so chickpeas are lightly coated. Store extra in tightly sealed container in refrigerator for up to 1 week for another use.
• Line 4 serving plates with lettuce leaves. Place scoop of curried chickpeas in lettuce bowl. Scatter with diced tomato and cucumber. Top with generous dollop of yogurt and chopped cilantro. Serve each with lime wedge.