Tandoori - not cooked in a tandoor - Roast Chicken

This is one of those recipes that sounds so much harder than it actually is .. Probably due to the 'tandoor' part of the name.. a tandoor is a clay pot or oven that meat or even breads are cooked in, over charcoal. As the fat from the meat drips on to the hot coals, the embers flare up onto the meat giving the meat a distinct charcoal taste & appearance. It's basically the equivalent of the much loved barbecue

Tandoori's are used in a lot of Indian & Asian restaraunts to this day, but obviously in home cooking it's the oven that takes centre stage for preparing large meals, and it's just as good for this recipe too. You can always get the barbecue out on a day when the sun decides to make a rare appearance then you're even closer to getting the authentic tandoor taste.

To serve 5 people you will need

10 drumsticks - skin removed

1/2  of 454g tub natural yoghurt

zest of 1/2 lemon

1 tsp cumin seeds

1/2 tsp chilli flakes

1/2 tsp carom seeds (optional)

6 tbsp oil

14 tbsp tandoori masala* (powder)

lemon wedges & fresh coriander to garnish 

• Start by making a small cut in the thickest part of each drumstick - this will help them cook through evenly
• Place the drumsticks in a bowl, add all the above ingredients to the drumsticks and mix well. Leave to marinate for a couple of hours minimum, or even better overnight for the marinade to be  absorbed by the chicken.
• Pre heat your oven to 200c, place the chicken in a roasting tray or oven proof dish. Cover with foil and bake for 1 hour and 10 minutes. Half way through the cooking time, remove the foil, and turn each of the drumsticks over. 
• Bake uncovered for the last half until the chicken crisps up a little . The chicken is ready when it has a charcoal like appearance and the juices run clear from the thickest part of the drumsticks 
• Serve garnished with wedges of lemon and fresh chopped coriander 

*Tandoori Masala is a red coloured powder mixed with other Indian herbs & spices that gives the chicken its well loved red colour. It's now widely available in most big name supermarkets too as well as any Indian & Asian grocery store*

   

Gram flour curry

Now I know you're reading this recipe and probably thinking that this has got to be a mistake and well just not right ? Well I promise this is one of my all time favourite served with pakoras. It is such a simplistic dish but bold on flavours

It doesn't cost the earth, it's quick to make & the amount will easily feed a hungry family of 4 with enough left over for the next day if any of you can resist it !

you will need :

2 x 454g tub natural yoghurt

2oz melted butter

4 tablespoons oil

2 tbsp gram flour (ground chick pea flour)

1 small onion finely sliced

1 tsp mustard seeds

1tsp cumin seeds

1 tsp garlic paste

1tsp ginger paste

1 tsp salt

3 green chillies

1 1/2 tsp curry powder

1 tbsp tomato puree

1 bay leaf

coriander to garnish

• Start by pouring the yoghurt into a jug, and add equal amount of water  (about 40fl oz) along  and whisk together. 
• Put the gram flour into a small bowl and add enough of the whisked yogurt to the gram flour to make a smooth paste, pour the paste back into the whisked yougurt, whisk together till combined and set aside.
• In a heavy based pan, heat up the oil & butter on a medium heat, add in the mustard seeds and cover the pan with a lid until you hear the seeds begin to pop
• Add in the onions, when slightly softened, add in the garlic, ginger and green chillies. Cook through until the garlic & have browned. Add a splash of water if the mixture begins to catch
• Next add in the curry powder, cumin seeds, tomato puree and bay leaf. Leave to simmer on a low heat for about 5 minutes
• Turn the heat up to full, and quickly but carefully pour in the yogurt, stirring in a continous clock wise motion as you do. Keep stirring till it reaches boiling point* 
• Lower the heat back down and leave to simmer for about 10-15 minutes till the curry has thickened in consistency. Garnish with coriander just before serving, and serve with pakora's  & chapatis 

*stirring the curry till it reaches boiling point ensures that the mixture won't curdle

Chilli Con Carne

Texas - the state that gave us Dr Pepper, (honest) the state where more land is farmed than in any other American state, the armadillo is it's mascot, its the home of girl group Destiny's Child and of todays recipe .. Chilli Con Carne .. yes it's a Texan dish .. not Spanish or Mexican that some people do assume 

Beef seems to be the most popular choice for Chilli but quite often use lamb which tastes just as good in honesty, if you're vegetarian you can swap the meat for vegetarian mince which again tastes just as good and obviously healthier too !

For my chilli con carne you will need 

4 medium onions

2 tbsp garlic paste

2 tbsp ginger paste

3 green chillies

piece of cinnamon (about 2 inch)

2 tsp curry powder

2 tbsp smoked paprika

1 tbsp cayenne pepper

2 tbsp worcestershire or HP sauce

1 tbsp dark soy

1x 400g tin of chopped tomatoes

1 x 400g tin of kidney beans

1kg/lb mince lamb/beef

chopped coriander to garnish

• Start by chopping the onions, add to a heavy based pan and fry till they've softened. Add in your green chillies, garlic & ginger paste, salt, & cinnamon stick. Cook through till onions become golden brown & the chillies have softened. Add a splash of water if the mixture begins to catch.
• Add in the chopped tomatoes, curry powder smoked paprika & stir well. With a masher, roughly mash the mixture - don't worry about getting a completely smooth consistency .. chunky chilli is good
• Check the taste of your chilli base .. adjust the taste to your liking if any more of the ingredients need adding. Add your lamb or beef. Brown the meat on a high heat, once your meat has browned, lower the heat and add in the kidney beans, soy & Worcestershire sauce. Cook through  until the oil separates from the meat & beans. Again add a splash of water if it begins to catch
• Pour in just enough water (preferably freshly boiled)  to cover the meat. Stir through and leave to simmer on a low heat for about 20 minutes. 
• Check the seasonings of the chilli and add any extra of the spices if needed to your liking
• Garnish with some fresh coriander and serve with my cumin rice or on jacket potatoes with cheese & sour cream & nachos on the side