What are some of the popular Indian dishes across the globe? Be it abroad or even in India, if you enter a multicuisine restaurant or a restaurant known for its Indian dishes which is a nearly must see dish in the menu. Most of the times it will be a Butter Chicken or Murg Makhani and there is a high possibility that there can be a Chicken Tikka Masala (CTM).
How did Chicken Tikka Masala happen?
A very popular theory states that chicken tikka masala is not even a dish of Indian origin. Ace restaurateur Zorawar Kalra of Massive restaurants even serves one of the highest selling dish of Farzi Cafe – Chicken Tikka Masala and Butter Nun from a London telephone booth look alike shelf.Many say that CTM was invented by a Pakistani Chef named Ali Ahmed Aslam in Shish Mahal restaurant in Glasgow Scotland.
The interesting story of invention of chicken tikka masala involves a bus driver and an impromptu improvisation. In the early 70s, on a rainy night in Glasgow, a Bus driver after finishing his trip came to Sheesh Mahal and ordered chicken curry but it was dry to his taste. When the curry was sent back to the kitchen, Ali Ahmed Aslam suffering from Ulcer was enjoying is tomato soup. An Eureka moment happened when, he thought of adding tomato gravy to the chicken along with some spices. Though many dispute this thought too. For some chicken tikka originated in India and hence chicken tikka masala has its origin in India.
Lets decipher the tikka and Babur Connection
Chicken Tikka are the boneless chicken pieces which are roasted in large claypot pits with charcoal fire. Before the grill, the boneless pieces are yogurt marinated along with Indian spices. The Indian origin of Chicken tikka is that it was invented in India during the rule of Babur since he was afraid of dying of choking from a chicken bone.
The questions are galore to counter the origin of chicken tikka and even some say that Bangladeshi restaurateurs and chefs in UK were finding it tough to sell butter chicken hence they tweaked the recipe to the extent that the butter content was reduced and more tomato was added.
What makes Chicken Tikka desirable and how you can make it easily
The infusion of many aromatic spices and flavours coupled with the flexibility of presenting it either as a starter or as a gravy to be served as a main course with piping hot rice makes it a perfect desirable dish. For some, the pairing is complete with plain Naan or butter garlic Naan. What goes inside the gravy to make it a popular one with everyone? Many may find a similarity with Butter chicken and few of the taste notes matching with each other. Its a rich Indian gravy with garlic, coriander powder, turmeric powder, red chili powder generous quantity of butter and cashew paste. The key ingredient being tomato and tomato pure is a must addition. That is what some of the simplest gravies from Indian cuisine can bring on your table.
The occasional and new generation cook may look for a quick yet authentic solution to make CTM. Alco eats have their Spicy chicken, Indian simmer sauce mix as a part of their Easy Indie Bowls series. It contains musk mellon seed, cashew nut, dehydrated garlic, onion, skimmed milk and all other ingredients necessary to make the perfect chicken tikka masala gravy.
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The traditional way of making Chicken Tikka Masala
If someone is cooking the traditional way, then preparing CTM makes the kitchen a wonderland of aromatic spices. The saute of the garlic, the addition of tomato to make it even more colourful is only a prelude. It is followed by medley of Indian spices which gets added on make it a grand affair indeed. It seems cumbersome in case you are a new cook? The no preservative, no MSG or added flavours spice mix from Alco foods makes it too easy to cook. Its simple. Marinate the chicken with ginger salt and garlic, mix the jar’s content to make the gravy. Then as you pan fry the chicken, add some butter, add the gravy and let it simmer till it thickens. Drizzle generous amount of cream before serving with either rice or Indian breads and nan in particular.
Here are some of very Popular Chicken recipes which you cannot miss
The smile says it all. That’s Tom Cruise after two servings of Chicken Tikka Masala t Asha’s Dubai. Image Courtesy – https://www.instagram.com/p/CS4DGuApCYn/
Even Tom Cruise takes a second serving to make Impossible – Possible
No matter what, the popularity of chicken tikka masala is here to stay. After being adored by many over the years do you know who is the recent one to become a fan boy of Chicken tikka masala? Its none other than Mr. Mission Impossible – Tom Cruise. In his recent visit to Asha’s – the famous restaurant by legendary singer Asha Bhosle, he ordered a plate of chicken tikka masala and got floored by it. He even asked for a repeat of the dish also. Next time make the mission possible with chicken tikka masala with Alco foods it will be a cake walk.
Cover Image Courtesy – Curry Ghor
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