Masala Curry Paste Recipes

HOMEMADE TIKKA MASALA PASTE

Steps:

• Place all the ingredients into a small blender.
• Add just 1 tbsp of oil to begin with, more can be added as required.
• Start the blender and blend until the ingredients start to come together into a paste.
• If the blender has trouble getting going add another half tablespoon of oil of tomato puree. Then after this add small amounts of tap water in between blending, until you are happy with the consistency.
• Once completely blended the paste can be used immediately as a marinade. Mix 2 tablespoons of the tikka masala paste with 120ml of plain yogurt. Then cover raw or leftover cooked chicken with the marinade and leave in the fridge for at least 2 hours. Alternatively you can jar up the paste and keep in the fridge for up to a month.

CURRY MASALA (USE TO MAKE CURRY PASTE)

Steps:

• Mix the spices together.
• Fry 75 grams of butter in a frying pan.
• Use 2 tbsp only (for a 4 person meal) of the curry masala and mix with water so that the mixture sluggishly drips off a spoon.
• Add the curry paste to the melted butter and cook on a high heat for 2 minutes; keep stirring.
• After this time, the paste is now ready and you can add meat, poultry or fish depending upon the curry you wish to make.

CHICKEN TIKKA MASALA

Steps:

• For the marinade: In a large bowl, mix together the marinade ingredients. Add the chicken and toss to coat. Marinate at least 30 minutes, or in the refrigerator up to overnight.
• For the sauce: When you're ready to make the curry, place a large skillet over medium heat and add the olive oil and butter. When the butter has melted, add the Ginger-Garlic Paste and serrano peppers. Saute until lightly browned around the edges. Add the tomato paste and cook until the tomato has darkened in color, about 3 minutes. Add the garam masala and the paprika and saute for about 1 minute to draw out their flavors.
• Add the tomatoes, salt, and 1 cup water. Bring to a boil, turn down to a simmer, and cook until thickened, about 20 minutes. You may need more water depending on how much liquid the tomatoes give off.
• Meanwhile, fire up your grill. When it is nice and hot, lightly brush it with oil. Place the chicken on the grill, shaking off some of the excess marinade. Cook until it's charred, about 2 minutes on each side. (Don't worry that the chicken will still be a little uncooked, it finishes cooking in the sauce).
• Pour the sauce into a blender or food processor, or use an immersion blender, and process until smooth. Pour back into the skillet and bring back up to a boil. Add the chicken and fenugreek leaves, if using. Take the heat down to a simmer and cook for about 10 minutes. Add the cream and stir through. Garnish with minced fresh cilantro, and serve over rice, with naan, or a crusty piece of bread!
• Throw the garlic, ginger, and canola oil in a mini-food processor and let it go until it forms a semi-smooth paste. There will still be tiny little pieces in there, but overall, it should resemble a paste.
• Save what you don't use in a small glass jar. It should last in the fridge for 2 to 3 weeks. It's a delicious addition to marinades, pasta sauces, stir fry sauces, slow-cooker recipes, gravy etc. We always had a jar of this stuff in our fridge growing up.

GOAN CHICKEN MASALA CURRY

Steps:

• Combine red chile peppers, cumin seeds, coriander seeds, cinnamon stick, ginger, garlic, peppercorns, and cloves in a mortar and pestle or a food processor; grind or process into a paste (masala paste).
• Heat oil in a large pot. Add onion and until golden brown. Stir in masala paste and cook for 2 minutes. Add pieces of chicken; mix well and pour in enough cold water to cover the chicken. Bring to a boil.
• Cover and simmer until chicken is cooked through, about 30 minutes. Season to taste with tamarind juice and salt. Stir well and cook for additional 5 minutes. Garnish with fresh cilantro.

TIKKA MASALA PASTE

Steps:

• In a dry skillet, toast cumin and coriander seeds until fragrant. Transfer to a mortar and grind using a pestle until finely ground. Transfer to the bowl of a small food processor, along with ginger, salt, oil, tomato paste, chiles, cilantro, coconut, and almond flour; process until a smooth paste is formed.

CHICKEN TIKKA MASALA

Steps:

• Heat the vegetable oil and butter in a large, lidded casserole on the hob, then add the onions and a pinch of salt. Cook for 15-20 mins until soft and golden.
• Add the tikka masala paste and peppers, then cook for 5 mins more to cook out the rawness of the spices.
• Add the chicken breasts and stir well to coat in the paste. Cook for 2 mins, then tip in the chopped tomatoes, tomato purée and 200ml water. Cover with a lid and gently simmer for 15 mins, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is cooked through.
• Remove the lid, stir through the mango chutney, double cream and natural yogurt, then gently warm through. Season, then set aside whatever you want to freeze. Will keep, in an airtight container, in the freezer for up to three months. Scatter the rest with coriander leaves and serve with basmati rice and naan bread.