Butter Chicken Ingredients:

1. Raw Cashewnuts - 1 cup (150g)

2. Garam Masala - 2 tsp.

3. Ground Coriander - 2 tsp.

4. Chili Powder - 3/4 tsp.

5. Salt - 1 tsp.

6. Garlic, chopped - 6 cloves

7. Fresh Ginger - 1 Tbsp

8. White Vinegar - 2 Tbsp

9. Tomato paste - 1/3 cup (80 g)

10. Yogurt - 1 cup

11. Chicken thigh or thigh fillets, halved - 1 kg

12. Butter - 80 gm

13. Brown Onion, chopped finely - 1 large (200 gm)

14. Cinnamon stick - 2"

15. Green Cardamom pods, bruised - 4

16. Degi Mirch - 1 tsp.

17. Tomato Puree - 400 gm can

18. Chicken stock - 3/4 cup (180 ml)

19. Cream - 1 cup

Butter Chicken Preparation:

Brown lightly the first 4 ingredients in a heated small frying pan. Blend or process nut mixture with the next 6 ingredients (till yogurt) until just smooth. Combine nut mixture and chicken, cover and refrigerate overnight.

Cook onion, cinnamon and cardamoms in butter in a large saucepan, stirring until browned. Add chicken mixture, cook 10 minutes. Add degi mirch, puree and stock, bring to boil. Simmer, uncovered, stirring occasionally, till chicken is cooked through and butter floats on top. Remove and discard cinnamon and cardamom. Add cream just before serving and simmer 5 minutes. Serve immediately with Pappadums and a Tomato and Onion Salad.

Note:

Recipe can be made ahead till Step 5. Cover, refrigerate overnight or freeze.

Serves: 4