Butter Chicken

Ingredients

• 1 chicken, cut into 8 pieces (or more)
• salt
• 1 teaspoon garam masala
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 green chili pepper, seeded and roughly chopped
• 2 teaspoons fresh ginger paste
• 3 garlic cloves, peeled
• 4 green cardamom pods
• 1/2 pint yoghurt
• 2 teaspoons paprika
• 1 1/2 teaspoons chili powder
• orange food coloring (optional)
• 2 ounces butter, melted, for basting
• 6 ounces unsalted butter
• 1 large onion, cut crosswise and sliced thin
• 1/2 cup ground almonds
• 1/2 pint sour cream
• 4 tablespoons heavy cream

Directions

1. 1

   With a sharp knife make regular slits through the skin and flesh of the chicken portions; rub with salt and garam masala, then sprinkle with the lemon juice; grind the green chili, ginger, garlic and cardamom to a fine paste; mix this paste with the yoghurt, paprika, chili powder and a few drops of orange food coloring (optional); place the chicken and the spice mixture in a large bowl or dish and give a good swirl so the pieces are evenly coated, cover and set aside (in the fridge) for 4-5 hours to marinate; remove the chicken and place on a greased baking tray and cook in a preheated oven (400F) for 45-50 minutes, turning as they get golden-brown and crisp; brush the portions with a little melted butter occasionally.

2. 2

   Melt the unsalted butter in a saucepan and saute onion until just starting to brown, about 8-10 minutes; add ground almonds and saute until lightly toasted and fragrant; add the remaining marinade, sour cream and heavy cream; gently heat, without boiling for 5-6 minutes; pour the sauce over the baked chicken and serve as a main dish with naan bread.

3. 3

   I serve this with steamed basmati rice (the sauce is excellent) but might try a pullau next time cause this deserves something more elaborate.

4. 4

   Note1: I use ultra-thick, Greek yoghurt for both the yoghurt AND the sour cream called for in this recipe. There are different fat levels, I like to use the 2%.

5. 5

   Note2: I really don't remember where I initially came across this recipe - I know I tried several different variations of butter chicken till I found this one and pronounced it 'just right' (to my taste, anyway). I can tell you though that I NEVER use the food colouring. I prefer to soak some saffron in a tiny bit of warm milk and stir that in for colour. May not be traditional, but that's my way.