CHICKEN TIKKA

     Ingredients:-

     450 g/1 Ib. boneless, skinned chicken breast

     1tsp. salt

     Juice of 1/2 a lemon

     1/2 tsp. tandoori color or a few drops of red food coloring mixed with 1 tbsp. tomato puree

     2cloves garlic, peeled and coarsely chopped

     1/2-inch cube of root ginger, peeled and Coarsely chopped

     tsp. ground coriander

     1/2 tsp. ground allspice or garam masala

     1/4 of a whole nutmeg, finely grated

     1/2 tsp. ground turmeric

     125 g/5 02. Thick set natural yogurt

     4 tblsp. Corn or vegetable oil

     1/2 tsp. Chili powder

     Method of preparation:-

1.       Cut the chicken into 1-inch cubes. Sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon salt from the specified amount, and the lemon juice. Mix thoroughly.

2.  Cover and keep aside for 30minutes.

3.       Put the rest of the ingredients into an electric food processor or liquidizer and blend until smooth. Put this marinade into a sieve and hold the sieve over the chicken pieces.

4.  Press the marinade through the sieve with the back of a metal spoon until only a very coarse mixture is left.

5.       Coat the chicken thoroughly with the sieved marinade. Cover the container and leave to marinate for one hour or overnight in the refrigerator.

6.       A roasting tin with aluminum foil (this will help to maintain the high level of temperature required to cook the chicken quickly without drying it out).

7.       Thread the chicken onto skewers, leaving 1/4-inch gap between each piece (this is necessary for the heat to reach all sides of the chicken).

8.       Place the skewers in the prepared roasting tin and brush with some of the remaining marinade. Cook in the center of the oven for 10minutes or as required.

9.       Take the tin out of the oven, turn the skewers over and brush the pieces of chicken with the remaining marinade. Return the tin to the oven and cook for a further 5minut.es or as required.

10       Shake off any excess liquid from the chicken. (Strain the excess liquid and keep aside for Chicken Tikka Masala). Place the skewers on a serving dish. You may take the tikka off the skewers if you wish, but allow the meat to cool slightly before removing from the skewers.