Chicken Balti Pies Recipe 445

Steps:

• Put the chicken in a medium bowl. Mix in the lime juice, paprika, chilli powder and a grinding of black pepper (step 1), then leave to marinate for at least 15 mins, preferably a bit longer.
• Heat 1 tbsp of the oil in a large non-stick wok or sauté pan. Tip in the cinnamon stick, cardamom pods, whole chilli and cumin seeds, and stir-fry briefly just to colour and release their fragrance (step 2). Stir in the onion, garlic and ginger and fry over a medium-high heat for 3-4 mins until the onion starts to turn brown. Add the remaining oil, then drop in the chicken and stir-fry for 2-3 mins or until it no longer looks raw. Mix the turmeric, cumin, ground coriander and garam masala together. Tip into the pan, lower the heat to medium and cook for 2 mins (step 3). Pour in the passata and 150ml water, then drop in the chunks of pepper. When starting to bubble, lower the heat and simmer for 15-20 mins or until the chicken is tender.
• Stir in the tomato, simmer for 2-3 mins, then add the spinach and turn it over in the pan to just wilt. Season with a little salt. If you want to thin down the sauce, splash in a little more water. Remove the cinnamon stick, chilli and cardamom pods, if you wish, before serving. Scatter with fresh coriander and serve with warm chapatis or basmati rice, if you like.

Steps:

• Heat oil in a pan over medium heat. Add onion and cook, stirring, for 5 minutes or until softened. Stir in ginger and garlic, and cook for a further 2 minutes. Add spices and stir for 1 minute, then add chicken, tomato paste and chilli and cook, stirring to coat in spices, for 6 minutes or until chicken is browned all over. Add curry leaves and stock and bring to a simmer. Cook for 15 minutes or until stock has almost completely reduced. Add flour and stir for 1 minute or until thickened and sauce is absorbed. Remove from heat and cool. Preheat oven to 200°C. Cut out 4 x 12 cm rounds from pastry and use to line 4 x 9 cm pie tins. Divide filling among each. Use remaining pastry to cut out 4 x 11 cm rounds. Cover pies with pastry rounds, crimping edges to seal. Brush with eggwash and scatter with nigella seeds. Bake for 20 minutes or until golden. Serve with buttered peas and tomato sauce.

Steps:

• Blend together the tomato puree, yoghurt, garam masala, chili powder, garlic, mango chutney, salt and sugar.
• Heat oil and add tomato mixture-cook for approx 2 minutes-stirring occasionally.
• Add chopped chicken and a little cold water,and continue to cook until chicken is cooked through, stirring occasionally.
• Add chilies, coriander and cream, stir in well and cook for a few minutes more. If the sauce is a little thick just add water to achieve your preferred consistency.
• Serve with boiled rice and/or naan bread.
• N.B-This freezes well-sometimes I just make the sauce up and freeze little tubs of it.