Creamy Tomato Chicken Curry

This recipe is inspired by the butter chicken recipe. Since there is no marination involved, it can be prepared in half the time and tastes superb too.

Ingredients (Serves 3 – 4)

1. Chicken – 3/4 kg, cut into medium-small pieces

2. Oil + butter – 1 tbsp each

3. Ginger-garlic paste – 1.5 tbsp

4. Turmeric powder – 1/4 tsp

Kashmiri chilli powder – 1 tbsp

Cumin powder – 1/2 – 3/4 tsp

Garam masala powder – 1/2 tsp

5. Tomato, ripe – 3.5 medium, cubed and ground in the large jar of a blender

6. Cashews – 10 – 12 (Soak 10 – 12 whole cashews in warm water for 1 – 2 hrs. Grind to a very fine paste adding 1 – 2 tbsp water)

7. Hot water – 3/4 cup

8. Fresh cream/ heavy cream – 1/3 cup

Sugar – 1/4 tsp or to balance the flavors

Garam masala powder – 1 pinch or to taste

Kasoori methi – 1/2 – 3/4 tsp

Ginger, thinly sliced – 1/2 tsp

Green chilies – 3 – 4, slit

Cilantro – 2 tbsp, chopped

Butter – 2 – 3 tsp

Tomato ketchup – 2 – 3 tsp (added for an extra taste, optional.)

Method

1. Heat 1 tbsp oil + 1 tbsp butter in a pan and add ginger-garlic paste and cook for a minute or two until their raw smell is completely gone. Add ground tomato, salt and cook covered for 10 – 15 minutes until moisture is completely gone and oil separates. Add turmeric powder, kashmiri chilli powder, cumin powder and garam masala powder. Cook over low heat for 1 – 2 minutes until their raw smell is completely gone. Add cashew paste and cook for 1 – 2 minutes over low heat. Taste-check for salt. Add chicken pieces and mix well. Cook for 1 – 2 minutes. Add 3/4 cup hot water. Mix well. Bring to a boil. Cover and cook over medium-low heat for 30 – 35 minutes, stirring in between, till chicken is completely cooked through and gravy is slightly thick. Taste-check for salt.

2. Add all the ingredients numbered 8 to the cooked chicken gravy. Mix well. Taste-check and add salt, if required. Cook for 1 – 2 minutes over low heat. Switch off the flame. Serve after 20 minutes. It tastes almost like butter chicken and goes well with naan / pulao.