Mild Balti Chicken Curry Recipes

EASY CHICKEN BALTI RECIPE

Steps:

• Heat up the oil in a pan set over a low to medium heat.
• Peel and chop the onions, and fry until soft and golden.
• Add the chopped tomatoes, garlic puree, ginger, garam masala, chilli powder, cinnamon stick, peppercorns and cardamom pods and stir well.
• Leave to cook for about 5 minutes or until the tomatoes are mushy.
• Cut the chicken breasts into chunks, then add them to the curry sauce.
• Stir well to coat, then leave to cook for about 15 minutes or until the liquid is released, and the chicken is cooked through.
• Add the yogurt and lime juice, and leave to cook for a further 2-3 mintues.
• Garnish with chopped coriander (cilantro).

BALTI CHICKEN CURRY

Steps:

• In a large heavy bottomed skillet (cast iron preferred), heat the oil over medium heat until hot but not smoking. Add the onions and chopped tomatoes and stir-fry until soft. Stir in the green chiles, ginger, garlic, peppercorns, chili powder and garam masala and cook for another 5 minutes to bring out the aroma of the spices.
• Add the chicken (whole breasts or chopped) and cook for 5 minutes turning frequently. Stir in the chicken stock and cook until all the flavors have combined, about 10 to 12 minutes. Add the tomato paste and stir, which will help thicken the sauce. Remove from the heat and add the vanilla yogurt, cilantro and lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper and let it rest for another 5 minutes until all the flavors meld. Transfer to a serving bowl and serve with Basmati Rice and Naan Bread, if desired.

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.

FAMILY MEALS: MILD CHICKEN CURRY

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a heavy-based pan. Fry the onions gently for 5 - 10 mins until soft. Add the garlic, ginger, coriander, mustard seeds, garam masala and cumin and cook for 1 - 2 min allowing the aromas to release.
• Add the chicken and cook for 10 mins over a gentle heat, flipping occasionally and making sure the spices don't catch. Pour in around 300 ml boiling water until almost covering. Stir in the stock cube and cinnamon stick. Simmer for around 45 mins - 1 hour with the lid off so there is a small amount of thickened sauce at the bottom of the pan. Remove the cinnamon stick.
• Stir in the yogurt and sultanas, heat through gently and serve. Scatter with coriander, if using.