***Butter Chicken (Murgh Makhani)***

This is the 100th recipe that I am publishing!! I really wanted it to be a special one; thought of some others but then chose this one! What's better than  butter chicken which happens to be an all-time favourite of my son! It's a rich and creamy gravy that defines yumminess!! 

Although, traditionally, the chicken is served on the bone, I have opted for boneless, chicken leg meat. Also, instead of cooking in a tandoor, I have grilled the chicken here.

Finally, instead of using the ripe tomatoes, I have used stewed tomatoes and tomato paste.

This recipe involves elaborate cooking but the final outcome justifies the effort!!

Preparation time - 10 minutes+4 hours of marination+30 minutes for stewing tomatoes

Cooking time - 20-25 minutes of grilling + 20 minutes to prepare the gravy



Ingredients for Grilled Chicken:

Chicken - 1 kg [boneless, preferably leg meat]

For the first marination :

Lemon juice - 2 tbsp

Red chilli powder - 1 1/2 tsp

Salt - to taste

For the second marination :

Yoghurt - 3/4 cup

Garlic paste - 1 1/2 tbsp

Ginger paste - 1 1/2 tbsp

Black salt - 1 tsp  [kala namak]

Garam masala - 1 1/4 tsp

Fenugreek leaves - 1/2 tsp, crushed

Red colour a few drops [ optional]


Method for Tandoori Chicken :

1. Make incisions on the chicken pieces.

2. First marination: Mix all the ingredients in a bowl and daub all over the chicken and keep aside for an hour.

3. Second Marination: Mix all the ingredients in a bowl. Add the already marinated chicken pieces to this new marinade and keep aside for three to four hours.



4. Preheat the oven to 180*C.  Place the marinated chicken pieces on the grill rack. Grill for 15 minutes.

5. Now, brush the chicken pieces with oil and turn upside down and grill for a 5 more minutes.

6. Remove from the oven grill and keep aside.




Ingredients for the Butter gravy:

Grilled Chicken - 1 kg,

Tomatoes - 10, medium sized (stewed tomatoes*-refer below for the method)

Tomato paste - 200gm

Oil - 2 tbsp

Onions - 2, medium sized, chopped

Bay leaves -2

Kashmiri red chilli powder - 2 1/2 tbsp

Ginger-Garlic paste - 1 1/2 tbps

Cashew nuts - 12-15, soaked in warm water for 10 minutes and blend to a smooth paste

Garam masala - 1 1/4 tbsp

Cumin powder - 1 1/2 tsp

Dried Fenugreek leaves, crushed (Kasoori Methi) - 1 1/2 tsp

Fresh cream - 100 gm

Butter - 75 gm

Salt - to taste

For Garnishing:

Green chillies - 2, de-seeded and chopped

Coriander leaves - 2 tbsp, finely chopped

Fresh cream -1 1/2 tbsp


*To make Stewed Tomatoes:

Tomatoes - 10

Pepper powder - 1 tsp

Butter - 1 tbsp

Sugar - 1 tsp

Salt - 1 tsp

Cornflour - 1 tbsp

1. Add the tomatoes to a bowl of boiling water. Close and keep for 10 minutes. Remove the skin and chop the tomatoes finely.

2. Add the sugar, salt, pepper and butter. Mix well.

3. Cook slowly over low heat for 30 minutes.

4. Add cornstarch to obtain a thick consistency. Remove from heat and keep aside.

Method:

1. Heat oil in a large pan. Add onions and saute for a minute or two.

2. Add stewed tomatoes, tomato paste, bay leaves and salt. Lower the heat.

3. Simmer and cook, stirring occasionally till the oil separates from the sides. Strain the sauce.

4. Heat a pan and add the prepared sauce. Add red chilli powder, ginger-garlic paste, garam masala, cashew nut paste,cumin powder and crushed fenugreek leaves. Mix well and cook for 8-10 minutes.

5. Add the grilled chicken pieces. Stir for 5-6 minutes.

6. Add butter and stir till it melts. Finally, add the cream and remove from heat.

7. Transfer toa serving bowl and garnish with chillies, coriander leaves and drips of cream.

8. Serve hot with naan, roti or chapatis.




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