Chicken Tikka Masala

On our quest to try new cuisine this was another one on my list. Once I found Garam Masala that I could afford that is! Luckily a friend also shared some of hers as I didn't buy enough at the store!

Chicken Tikka Masala-shared from Recipe Shoebox
3 chicken breast
salt
ground coriander
cumin
1/2 cup plain yogurt
1 tbsp salt
2 tbsp butter
1 large onion, chopped
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 inch piece ginger, microplaned
3 tbsp Garam Masala
1 1/2 cups heavy cream
1 28 oz can diced tomatoes OR crushed tomatoes(I used crushed)
1 tbsp sugar
chopped serrano or Jalepeno pepper(to taste)
Rice:
4 tbsp butter
2 cups basmati rice
1 tbsp tumeric
4 cups water
1 tsp salt
1 pkg frozen peas

Saute rice in butter until browned. Add in water, tumeric, and salt and cook as directed.(I used brown basmati so I think it took about 45 mins). When rice is done stir in the peas.

Season chicken with salt, coriander, and cumin. Dredge in yogurt. Grill until chicken is charred and cooked through. OR Cook under broiler for 5-7 mins per side. Remove from pan and chop into 1 inch cubes.

Melt butter in large pan add in onion and saute until slightly browned. Add in garlic and ginger, then add in 1 tbsp salt and 3 tbsp garam masala and if desired chopped Serrano pepper(I used a few slices of chopped jalepeno).

Next add in tomatoes and sugar. Stir and simmer for about 5 mins. Stir in the cream and chicken. Simmer for 1-2 mins. Serve tikka over the rice and with Naan Bread.

**I really loved this dish! The chicken was moist and delicious and the sauce was very flavorful..but next time ill use less jalapeños it was a bit spicy!

Naan Bread

I've had this list on my tasty Tuesday list for a while now and I FINALLY got to make them! They were pretty easy to make and the boys loved helping me! Cooking them was easy considering I used my George Foreman Grill!

I did adapt this to using my bread machine for the dough, but its not necessary!

Naan Bread-adapted from Let's Dish
1 cup warm water
1/4 cup sugar
3 tbsp milk
1 egg, beaten
2 tsp salt
3 1/2 cups bread flour(I used 2 cups ww, 1.5 ap +4 tsp vital wheat gluten)*
Topping:
1/4 cup butter, melted
1 tsp garlic salt

Add ingredients to bread machine as recommended by manufacturer. Start on dough cycle and once it beeps remove dough. *Check dough to make sure its not to dry or wet, you may need more or less flour. Divide dough into 18 or so equal pieces and roll into a ball. Place on cookie sheet and cover with a towel. Allow to rise for an hour until doubled. Mix together butter and garlic salt. Roll dough out into circles. Place on pre-heated george foreman grill. Brush with butter/garlic. Cook for 2-3 mins until puffed and brown, flip and brush top with more butter. Cook for another 2-3 mins(with the grill closed).

**This made delicious bread that we ate along with some chicken tikka masala. The boys gobbled them right up as well!

Crock Pot Indian Curry

On my quest to try more curry, I found this simple recipe. I've never had Indian Curry before so I don't know how this compares to the real thing, but I was willing to give it a try!

Slow Cooker Indian Curry-shared from A Year of Slow Cooking
1 can coconut milk
1 tbsp tomato paste
2 tbsp curry powder
1 tsp ground coriander
1 tsp ground cumin
1 inch peeled ginger, grated
few dashes of hot sauce
1 onion, chopped
2-3 cloves minced garlic
1 sweet pepper, chopped
2 sweet potatoes, peeled chopped
1 can garbanzo beans, rinsed/drained
1 lb chicken breast(optional)

Place milk, paste, spices, garlic, hot sauce, and ginger in bottom of crock pot. Stir well. Place chicken in sauce and flip a couple of times to coat well. Add in veggies and beans. Cook on low for 7-9 hours or high for 4-6 hours. (I did stir in my veggies to get them coated in the sauce, but you don't have to.) Right before serving, remove chicken and shred, add back in and coat with sauce. Serve over your favorite rice.

**Like I mentioned before I am not sure how authentic the spices are, but it was still pretty good and curbed my curry craving! It was a touch spicy but not hot. I didn't think my boys would like it so I offered them something else. Little did I know they LOVED it, mostly the beans. This could easily be adapted to vegetarian by omitting the chicken and adding in more beans and veggies.