I believe it. Research shows that curry is addictive. Soon I'll have to check myself into that Seattle treatment center that advertises addiction therapy in ten days with a couple of two day follow ups. On our Greek cruise they had a section of the lunch buffet dedicated to Indian food and I was there nearly every day. A few years back, on our voyage across the Atlantic, there was a genuine tandoor (clay oven). What a treat.
If you are an Indian food fan, you'll question a couple of the ingredients in this recipe as seemingly Thai in taste, but it comes out tasting authentically Indian. Better than other butter chicken recipes I've tried and the best naan ever.
Butter Chicken in the Slow Cooker
8 boneless skinless thighs and breasts, cut into chunks
3T butter for sauteeing spices, onion and garlic
3T vegetable oil for browning chicken
1 chopped onion
4 cloves minced garlic
1.5T curry paste or to taste. I used 2t very hot Thai green curry paste
1.5T Tandoori masala
1T garam masala
1.5T curry powder, plus extra to sprinkle on raw chicken. I use Trader Joe's brand
2 cans coconut milk. I used one can of Trader Joe's Coconut cream and of their one light coconut milk, the best would probably be two cans of regular coconut milk.
2 cans tomato paste
3/4 C plain yogurt. I used low fat, you probably wouldn't want to use fat free.
Salt to taste
Fresh Cilantro for garnish
1. In a large pot, saute onions and spices in butter until onion is wilted. Add the tomato paste, coconut milk and yogurt and stir until smooth over medium heat.
2. Sprinkle chicken pieces with curry powder and brown in oil.
3. Put all in a slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours.
Serve with basmati rice (I use Trader Joe's brown basmati) top with cilantro. I also served it with whole wheat naan (bread)
Whole Wheat Naan
2 C whole wheat flour
3/4 C low fat yogurt plus 1/3 C low fat milk warmed in microwave
2t instant yeast
1t sugar
1/2t salt
White flour for rolling dough.
If desired, melted garlic butter to brush on after removing from oven.
Mix all dry ingredients in a medium bowl. Slowly add milk mixture and blend with hands, kneading until it forms a ball. If too dry add more milk, if too wet add more flour. Mixture should be sticky. Roll ball of dough in white flour and place back in bowl, cover and let rest in a warm dry place for at least an hour and a half.
Place a pizza stone or cast iron pan in oven and preheat oven to 500 degrees. With floured hands divide dough into six balls. Roll between floured sheets of waxed paper until 1/4 inch thick. You can cook two at a time on the pizza stone. Slightly dampen each naan with wet hands and place on pizza stone. Cook each side for two and a half minutes. Remove and brush with garlic butter if desired. You can also cook in a thick pan, sprayed with non-stick spray on top of the stove for 90 seconds on each side, until golden brown.
The next day I slit open the leftover naan, like pita bread, and made grilled asparagus and fresh basil sandwiches:
Bordering on a foodie blog, I promise knitting content in the next post. The tease: a taste of Madelinetosh Pashmina.
That curry chicken looks and sounds GO good!
Posted by: Kathy | January 06, 2013 at 05:40 AM
Okay, I have already eaten dinner and I want to eat this NOW!
Posted by: Jo | January 08, 2013 at 02:55 PM
That curry looks so yummy!! Might have to give it a whirl. Also, I love, love, love your Herringbone Rib scarf so much that I bought the perfect yarn for it yesterday. I would be most grateful for a copy of the pattern!. Thanks!
TheKnittnKittn (Ravelry)
Posted by: Heather Carter | January 09, 2013 at 07:18 AM
You are so right about curry being addictive. Sometime last year we got a cookbook called 660 Curries, and everything we've made out of it makes us practically swoon with happiness. It's such warm comfort food. I've never tried butter chicken at home though. Will have to remedy that.
Posted by: Lorette | January 12, 2013 at 11:48 AM
This sounds wonderful. I am going to search for the ingredients today.
Found your blog through a link to your beautiful herringbone scarf. I would love a copy - Ive been looking for a pattern to use some cherry tree hill sock yarn that I find to heavy for socks. That pattern should work perfectly.
Posted by: Gail | January 19, 2013 at 06:48 AM
A few years back, on our voyage across the Atlantic, there was a genuine tandoor (clay oven).
Posted by: survival warehouse food emergency | February 15, 2013 at 11:27 PM