James Martin Chicken Balti 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.

CHICKEN BALTI CURRY FROM BALTI TRIANGLE

Steps:

• First assemble the spices: mustard seeds in one small bowl, the rest can be mixed together in another bowl. Put the onion in one bowl. Put the garlic and ginger in another small bowl.
• To begin the curry, heat the oil in a large pan. Once hot but not smoking, add the lightly crushed mustard seeds, cook for 30 seconds only, beware they may pop and spit out of the pan.
• Add the chopped onion, lower the heat and cook for approx 3-5 minutes until soft but not colored.
• Then, add all the spices plus the garlic and ginger. Cook on a medium heat taking care to ensure the spices don't burn.
• Add the chicken, stirring well to make sure all the chicken is coated in the spices. Cook for 10 minutes stirring occasionally to make sure the chicken or spices are not burning.
• Finally, add the stock, the tomato purée, a small pinch of salt and the bay leaf. Stir again and then lower the heat. Cook gently for 25 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and tender.
• Finally add the cilantro/coriander and tomato, stir and cook for a further 3 minutes.