Creamy Butter chicken

Butter chicken or fondly known as Chicken Tikka masala, is a royal Indian dish, prepared by cooking chicken and cooking it in a creamy tomato based curry sauce, that is medium spicy and full of aromatic flavors that an Indian spices offer. It is a favorite and served in almost all Indian restaurants  in India and abroad.

My version is to prepare a  not too heavy curry, for that I want to stay away from using heavy cream  and onions. It won't compromise on flavor,  its lighter so you can enjoy more of the curry guilt free :))
For bringing out the flavors, try using fresh ingredients and spices that will enhance the taste of the dish.
This recipe was looooooooong due, so happy I could modify and come out with a more healthier  option, of enjoying this dish.



Ingredients 

2 pounds boneless , skinless chicken cut into approx 1 inch cubes

2 Roma tomatoes, pureed

1 tbsp canned tomato

1 inch ginger freshly grated

3 to 4 cloves garlic freshly grated

1/4 cup cashews ( soak in water, 10 mins and grind to make a smooth paste)

salt to taste

2 tsp garam masala

Spices 
2 big cardamoms

1 inch cinnamon stick

2 bay leaves

2 to 3 cloves

3 to 4 black peppercorns

2 to 3 small cardamons

2 to 3 dried red chilies

2 tbsp butter

1 tsp honey


Marinade  for chicken
Ingredients
1 tbsp sour cream or can use 1 tsbp plain yogurt
1 tsp each ginger, garlic paste
salt to taste
1 tsp red chili powder
1 tsp turmeric powder
1 tsp coriander powder
1 tbsp lemon juice
1 tbsp olive oil

                                                                            

Chicken marinade

Cook marinated chicken in a skillet 

Prepare the  sauce 

Cook chicken in the prepared sauce on low to medium heat covered

Butter chicken

Method:
In a bowl, add ginger , garlic paste 1 tsp each. Add salt to taste, 1 tsp red chilies powder, 1 tsp freshly squeezed lemon juice, 1 tsp coriander powder.  Add chicken and marinate it for about 20 to 30 mins.


Method for preparing the sauce for butter chicken.
1. Heat 2 tbsp oil in a skillet, and cook the marinated chicken, on medium heat for about 15 minutes, till the chicken appears cooked. The real test to know if chicken is cooked from inside, is to make sure its white and not pinkish  in color on the inside.
Once the chicken is done, cover and keep aside.

Method for preparing the curry sauce 
1.In the mean while, heat another skillet, add  2 tbsp butter , add in freshly grated ginger, garlic. Allow that to sizzle, few mins. next add in all the whole spices, all of them. Stir few minutes.
Next, add red chilly powder, and cashew paste, continue cooking about  5 minutes or as the cashew paste comes together. Add in tomato puree, stir another 8 to 10 minutes, adding salt and garam masala.
Taste the curry and add more salt if required. add 1 tsp honey for that sweet tangy taste, and then add the  cooked chicken, into the prepared curry. Add 1/2 cup water and continue cooking, another 10 to 12 minutes till the chicken and curry appear thickened and done.
Add freshly chopped coriander leaves, or thinly sliced colorful peppers as garnish,

Spicy Black Pepper Chicken

Black pepper also known as Milagu, in southern states of India.This chicken dish is popular and made in the households of south India. Pepper and other spices are famous in this part of the country, there are many interesting plantations of them.
Peppercorns is considered a king spice in that part of India.
I came across this dish, when I saw it being prepared at a TV show. I liked how simple it was to make and that it can be served, as an appetizer or main dish.

  Ingredients:
2 pounds of boneless skinless chicken cut into 2 inch cubes.
Salt to taste
1 tsp turmeric
1tsp coriander powder
1 tsp red chili powder
1 tsp black pepper ( Milagu powder)
1 tsp each ginger ,garlic paste
3 to 4 green chilies chopped
3 tsp rice flour
2 tsp lemon juice
1 cup ( 200 ml)vegetable oil to deep fry
1 tsp mustard seeds
6 to 7 curry leaves
2 to 3 dried red chilies
Fresh coconut slices (optional)

                                                    

                                  

Method:
Marinate chicken in a bowl, with salt, red chili powder, coriander , pepper , turmeric. Add an egg, and ginger, garlic paste.
Add finely chopped curry leaves, and lemon juice. Heat oil to deep fry the chicken pieces, to a golden brown, frying them for 4 to 5 minutes. Strain on to a paper towel.
Next heat a medium pan, with 2 tbsp oil for tempering. Add mustard seeds, allow them to splatter.Next add in coconut slices , brown the coconut slices, add green chilies and sliced onions.Add curry leaves 2 to 3.
Then add in 1/2 cup water, and cover few minutes,  add in the fried chicken. Saute for another 4 to 5 minutes, serve hot . Enjoy preparing and eating this spicy chicken dish, with family and friends :)

Mughlai Mutton Curry

This Mutton curry dish is basic , yet very full on taste and so much of my type of curry dish.
Mutton should be marinated well , so then it cooks better and retain good moisture to keep it soft.You can  use lamb meat for this recipe , though I like the goat taste too:)) 
This is a wholesome non vegetarian dish and I'm sure when you try to make it, you will keep making it often.


Ingredients
2 pounds mutton leg cut into 2 inch cubes ( with or without the bones) wash and cleaned
1 inch ginger freshly grated
1 clove garlic grated 
1/4 cup  plain yogurt
salt to taste
1 tsp Everest meat masala
1 tsp chopped green chilies 
1/2 fresh lemon juice
For Gravy
2 medium sized onions peeled and chopped fine
1/2 cup  tomatoes pureed'
1 tbsp freshly grated ginger garlic paste
1 tsp red chili powder
1/4 tsp turmeric powder
1/4 tsp cumin seeds
4 to 5 small cardamons
1/4 cup Vegetable oil 

Mutton Curry!!

Method:
For marinate
Wash the mutton pieces, and marinate in a medium size bowl, add in curd, lemon juice, salt, ginger garlic paste, meat masala (available in Indian grocery) . Mix all together and keep aside for about an hour.
For gravy
1. Heat 1/4 cup oil in a pressure cooker (faster way to cook) add cumin seeds, small cardamon, bay leaf, cinnamon stick,Add in the onions, continue to cook the onions on medium heat till they appear light golden in color. Add in the marinated mutton, keep stirring and cooking for approximately 10 minutes, till oil separates on the sides.Add in red chili powder, turmeric, and check for salt, add little more if required.
2. Add in pureed tomatoes, stir in 1 cup water and close the pressure cooker to cook further on medium heat for 2 whistles.Turnoff burner and the lid of the cooker closed for another 10 minutes.Pour the ready curry into a serving dish and garnish with freshly cut coriander leaves.
Serve hot with rotis/naan or rice.