Tandoori Chicken 2 Ways with Homemade Tandoori Masala

Ask any Indian what's your favorite grilled chicken dish they will promptly say "Tandoori Chicken" that's how much this is loved by all, now it's not only in India but abroad too, it's become a loved one of all. This leaves amazing taste in your mouth, from the very first bite to the last, "Dil Mange More".

Marinate the chicken, you can bake/broil or even pan fry and they are fantastic. That’s how simple it gets. The ready-made masala is expensive and even for that you have to add  ginger-garlic paste,  yogurt etc., So then why spend money on the package? Just make your own, with all ingredients that use in your daily cooking, it's preservative and gluten free! It’s tasty, simple and you choose the amount of spices as to what goes into the marinade!

Ingredients 
For the Homemade Tandoori Masala 
4 Teaspoons Kashmiri Red Chilly powder
2 Teaspoons Coriander powder
1 Teaspoon Turmeric powder
1 Teaspoon Cumin powder
½  Teaspoon Citric Crystals
1 Teaspoon Salt
½  Teaspoon Cinnamon powder
1 Teaspoon Garam masala powder
1 Tablespoon Kasuri Methi
1 Teaspoon Salt  
½ Teaspoon Tandoori color 
For the Pan Fried  Chicken Tandoori Bites
550 grams Boneless Chicken
3 Tablespoons level Tandoori Masala
3 Tablespoons hung curd
2 Tablespoons Heaped Ginger Garlic paste
1 Tablespoon each Vinegar and Lemon juice
1 Teaspoon Salt
A pinch of Tandoori color 
2 Tablespoons Butter or Olive Oil 
For the Baked Tandoori  Chicken Legs 
400 Grams Chicken Legs - I go two
1 Tablespoon HP Sauce - optional
2 Tablespoons Level Tandoori Masala
2 Tablespoons Hung Curd
1½  Tablespoons Heaped Ginger Garlic paste 
1 Tablespoon each Vinegar & Lemon juice
½  Teaspoon Salt
2 Tablespoons Butter or Olive Oil 
Method

For the Homemade Tandoori Masala

 Mix all the ingredients well and your homemade tandoori masala is ready. 

Quick and simple isn't it! All ingredients that you have at home. 
For the Pan Fried  Chicken Tandoori Bites

Mix all the ingredients and rub it into the chicken cubes, marinate it overnight in the refrigerator.

Heat a grill pan with oil and fry the chicken cubes are done on one side

then flip and fry till done on the other side.  

Serve with toothpicks on lettuce leaves.

  Enjoy!! 

For the Baked Tandoori  Chicken Legs

Give cuts to the chicken leg, wash and pat dry.

Mix all the ingredients and rub it into the chicken legs, marinate it overnight in the refrigerator.

Preheat the oven to 200°C for 10 minutes.   

Place the chicken legs along with the marinade in a lined tray, bake it for 35 - 40 minutes.  

After 20 minutes change the side, just brush it with oil and bake again till done.  If you want this tandoori effect on it then broil it for 5 minutes or more accordingly.  

Enjoy!!  

My Notes

Add HP Sauce to the marinade give a smoky flavor to the tandoori chicken, do add it if you have.

This will last for year or so without loosing it's taste or color if refrigerated, in a zip lock bag.
Labels: Homemade, Masalas, Chicken, Baked, Pan Fried, Gluten free, Healthy, Starters, Kebabs

Chicken Russian Kebabs

These Chicken Russian Kebabs were made for my family get together. These were a hit! These are great to make for Ramadan Iftar or Sehri. You can make them in advance and keep it in the refrigerator for 3 -4 days. these cannot be frozen. These are Crispy crunchy from outside and soft juicy from within.

Ingredients

Cups Boiled Chicken - choppered
1 Cup Cabbage - finely chopped
1 Cup Carrot - finely chopped
1 Small Capsicum - finely chopped 

½ Cup Parboiled French beans - choppered 

½ Cup  Boiled Sweet Corn - choppered 

15 Curry Leaves - finely chopped 

½ Teaspoon Ginger Garlic Paste
4 Green Chilies - finely chopped
3 Tablespoons All Purpose Flour
1 Teaspoon Salt
1/2 Teaspoon Black Pepper  powder
1/2 Teaspoon Red Chilies Flakes 

3 -4 Medium Potatoes - boiled, mashed
Bread Crumbs As required
2 Eggs  - whisked
Oil For deep frying

Method

Boil the potatoes and mash them. 

In 2 tablespoons oil add finely chopped curry leaves and  all purpose flour , salt, pepper powder, chilly flakes,  ginger garlic and saute for a minute or two then add all the veggies, and let it cook for 2 minutes on low flame.  Switch off flame add coriander leaves,  the boiled chicken and green chillies give it a good mix , remove this on a plate and let it cool.  When the mixture has cooled down add the mashed potatoes and mix very well.

Form into thick round patties, coat in bread crumbs, dip in egg and deep fry in medium hot oil till golden on both sides.

Remove them on to kitchen towel and enjoy them hot. 

 Enjoy!! 

Labels : Kebabs, Chicken, Party pleasers, Appetizer, Capsicum, Carrot, Cabbage, French Beans, Ramadan

Kalmi Chicken - Kebab / Starters

The recipe is very easy and simple without too many spices. The most important step here is marinating the chicken, then cooking it and then the final frying.

 This keeps the chicken juicy, soft and moist . 

Ingredients
1 Kg Chicken Drumsticks
1 Tablespoon Heaped Ginger Garlic paste
1 to 1 ½ Teaspoon Salt or to taste
1 Cup Yogurt - beaten
1 Teaspoon Garam Masala Powder
½ Teaspoon Heaped Black pepper powder
1 Tablespoon Lemon juice
¼ Cup Oil
1 Cup All Purpose Flour
Oil for deep frying as required
Onion rings mint leaves and lemon wedges to serve

Method
Wash and clean the chicken drumsticks and pat them dry.

Marinate chicken with salt ginger garlic, salt, black pepper,garam masala powder, lemon juice and yogurt. Rub it well into the drumsticks and keep it overnight covered in the refrigerator.

Heat a pan with ¼ cup oil and add the chicken drumsticks in a single layer along with the marinade and keep covered and cook for 15 mins until chicken tender and cooked only 3/4 done. The chicken should be dry no moisture should be present. Cool it completely.

Heat oil for deep frying in a kadai or deep frying pan.

When cooled coat each piece of chicken in flour and deep fry in hot oil in a single layer in hot oil, when one side is done then turn and fry the other side till chicken slightly brown. 

Garnish with onion rings, lemon wedges and mint leaves.

 Enjoy these kababs which most succulent, juicy and tender.

Labels :  Chicken, Starters, Kebabs, Deep Fried, Party pleasers, Mughlai Cuisine, Chicken Drumsticks, Appetizer

Heart Salmon Cakes For A Romantic Meal#FishFriday

Salmon is rich in protein, vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acids making it a very nutritious choice of protein.  One should include Salmon fish in their diet at least once a fortnight. 

These Heat Salmon Cakes is a simple and delicious way to prepare fresh salmon using staple pantry ingredients. These cakes can be made for a light and delicious lunch or supper.  I have  used of fresh salmon  and  it gives a richness of  flavor to the cakes.

This goes to our event for Fish Friday Foodies our Host is  Camilla our wherein she asked us to make Seafood Dishes for a Romantic Evening.
Makes 6 - 8 depending on the size
Ingredients
400 Grams Cleaned Fresh Boneless & Skinless Salmon
3 Tablespoons Heaped Mayonnaise
A Juice of half a Lemon
2 Big Bread slices - choppered
2 Tablespoon Chopped Flat Parsley
1 Teaspoon English Mustard
2 Scallions / Spring Onion - Only Whites - finely chopped
½ Teaspoon Black Pepper powder
¼ Teaspoon Paprika powder
½ Teaspoon Chopped Chives
3 Cloves Garlic - finely chopped
½ Teaspoon Sea Salt or to taste
For the coating 
Panko Breadcrumbs as required
1 Egg - lightly beaten
Oil as required for shallow frying

Method 
Cut the salmon into small cubes and pat them dry with a kitchen towel.

In a chopper add the onions, chives, parsley, salt, paprika and pepper powder and pulse it two or three times. Now add the mayonnaise and choppered bread and pulse it till mixed once or twice. Add the salmon cubes and pulse it again for two or three times ( do not pulse it for more time or else it will form a paste ) the salmon should be in tiny cubes. 

Take this out into a bowl and add the lemon juice, mix well and refrigerate it for at least 2 hours for the flavors to develop and also at this stage it is difficult to handle. The mix will firm up in the refrigerator.

Remove from refrigerator, divide the mixture into equal balls and  shaped them into heart cakes. As you can see made some small hearts and two big ones. Roll these in bread crumbs and keep this in the freezer for 15 minutes only.

In the meantime let's get prepare for the shallow frying. Heat a non-stick pan/skillet with oil.  Beat an egg lightly add a pinch of salt.  In a plate spread the panko bread crumbs. Keep aside .

Now that we are prepared for frying. Take the cakes out from the freezer.

Dip each cake in egg. Roll it in bread crumbs and immediately place it in the frying pan. Fry on medium high heat till golden on both sides. 

Serve them topped with Creamy Italian Dressing With Mayo & Red Wine Vinegar (recipe will be posted on 14th February ) and on a bed of Tabbouleh Salad With Glass of Pink Lemonade Vodka Cocktail. 

This was a real Romantic Meal / Valentine's Day celebrated in advance. If you have such a beautiful prepared meal with candels lit up who wants to wait for 14th Feb.

 Ahh! Yes if you have not had a Romantic meal like this, then do it !! Worth the effort!!

Labels :  Seafood/Fish, Kebabs, Cutlets, Starters, Salmon, Romantic Meal, Fish Friday 
See other recipes that our Foodie Friends have prepared.
Braised Cod Peperonata for Two by Karen at Karen's Kitchen Stories
Curried Coconut Citrus Cod by Stacy at Food Lust People Love
Gambas al Ajillo (Spanish Garlic Shrimp) by Caroline at Caroline's Cooking
Heart Salmon Cakes For A Romantic Meal by Sneha at Sneha's Recipe
Lobster Thermidor by Wendy at A Day in the Life on the Farm
Mediterranean Shrimp with Olives, Tomatoes and Feta by Sue at Palatable Pastime
Miyagi Oysters with Pomegranate Mignonette by Camilla at Culinary Adventures with Camilla

Kacche Kele Ke Kebab / Raw Banana Cutlets#FantasticalFoodFight

Vrat means "fast" and these kebabs are designed specifically for those who are fasting. Though these kebabs are specially meant for vrat, you can enjoy them any time you wish. These are No Onion & Garlic kebabs , have them yogurt or Mint & Coriander Chutney. These are very delicious and easy to make.

When Sarah our host gave us Banana as a theme for this month, I,  was very happy, since this is right time to prepare these kebabs.  

In India we celebrate the  Shravan, which is fasting month for Hindus. All types of fasting food is enjoyed during this month and these kebabs are apt for fasting.

Ingredients 
2 Rawa Bananas- Boiled and grated
¾ Cup Boiled Green Peas - mashed
2 Tablespoons Heaped Coriander leaves- finely chopped
½ Teaspoon Salt or to taste
1 Tablespoon Heaped Roasted Gram powder
1/3 Cup Dehyrated Spinach Leaves - see recipe below
¼ Teaspoon Garam masala
1 Teaspoon Amchor /Mango powder
1 Teaspoon Minced Ginger
2 Green Chillies - minced
Oil  as required for frying

Method

Boil the raw bananas with the peel.  Place the bananas in a container and steam it in a pressure cooker on high flame after the first whistles , reduce the flame to medium low and keep it  for 10 minutes .  Then cool the pressure pan.  Remove the bananas and cool them completely,  then peel them and grate them.
Mash the peas in a small chopper or small mixer jar.

Mix all the ingredients well to make a nice dough. 

Then pinch equal size balls and shape into small flat kebabs. 

Heat a tablespoon or two of oil in a broad frying pan and fry them till golden brown on medium high flame.

Serve hot with ketchup, chutney and salad.

How to make Airfryer Dehyrated Spinach/Palak Leaves at home.

Wash and dry the leaves and keep spread them on a tea towel to dry.  When dry.  Place them in a airfryer not on the basket but below the basket or else they will fly while the airfyer is running.

Dehyrated them at 80 degrees C for 45 minutes after every 20 minutes just toss them.  Then crush them with your hands they are done. Store  it in a zip lock bag in the refrigerator.  Use whenever required.

Lables : Kebabs, Starters, Vegetarian, Raw Banana ,Indian , Healthy, Fantastical Food Fight, Vrat, No Onion & Garlic, Vegan, Gluten Free, Air Fryer,  Dehydrated,  Spinach, Palak Leaves, Homemade, Farali

You can learn more about our group and how to join in the fun over at this site.


#FantasticalFoodFight

Be sure to check out the other Fantastical Banana "food fight" recipes this month !

Click on the hop link button to be transported to the other recipes:

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Corn Cutlets

Healthy, crunchy and crisp melt in the mouth cutlets made with corn and mashed potatoes. Corn patties is also famous monsoon snack since they are freshly available at that time. These corn cutlets are really mouthwatering ,yummy instant snack, no onion or garlic, they can be served in kitty parties, birthdays, kids tiffin, high tea parties or as vrat food.  

Have already posted Sweet Corn Cheese Balls, today its time for Corn Cutlets. 

Ingredients 

1.1/2 Cup Packed Grated Boiled Potato
1 Cup Crushed Boiled Corn kernels
1 Cup Boiled Corn kernels
2 Green Chilies -  crushed
1/2 Teaspoon Ginger paste
2 Bread slices powdered
1/4 Teaspoon Roasted Cumin powder
1/2 Teaspoon Amchur powder
1/2 Teaspoon Chat masala
1/2 Teaspoon Sendhav Salt or to taste
2 Tablespoons Corn flour
2 Tablespoons Coriander leaves - chopped

Method
Cook corn either in microwave or cooker. In microwave for 8 to 10 mins or in the pressure cooker for 1 whistle. When cooker steam cools off, then remove corn kernels using a knife.

Reserve one cup corn kernels and the rest crush in a mixer slightly by pulsing it. No need to make a smooth paste we want a coarse paste.

Transfer to a mixing bowl . Add boiled & mashed potatoes , corns and rest of the ingredients. Mix everything well, taste for salt and spice and add if anything required. 

Divide the dough to small / medium equal size balls . Shape them into cutlets depending on your choice . You can do round flat disc /oval / heart shape / use any cookie cutter to give special shape . I have used an oval cookie cutter to them shape.

Heat 2 tablespoons oil in pan and shallow fry them till golden on both sides . 

Serve Corn Cutlets hot with ketchup / green chutney.

Labels : Corn Cutlets, Kebabs, Starters, Tiffin, Kids delight, Party pleasers, Savory Snacks, Snacks, Corn, Mashed Potatoes, Vegetarian, No Onion No Garlic, Vrat