Recipe(tried): Tikka Chicken with Dhal, Tomato and Cilantro Salad

I was so sure I had already posted this menu, I searched everywhere! I ended up taking a long walk down memory lane, looking thru my oldest posts (2000). What a blast!

It was especially fun to see replies to my posts, some years later, saying how much they enjoyed the recipes. I would never have known, had I not checked in today!

anyway, this came from a British magazine, and I have made it a time or two. They give directions for the dhal on the stove-top, but it works beautifully in the slow cooker with no adjustments. My family loves this for leftovers.

I usually serve this with pappadums, but tonight I will be making raita and lemon rice to go with the chicken, salad, and dhal.

TIKKA CHICKEN WITH DHAL, TOMATO AND CILANTRO SALAD

FOR THE CHICKEN:
4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
3 TBS plain yogurt
3 TBS Patak's tikka paste

FOR THE DHAL:
1 1/2 onions, finely chopped
oil
1 inch of ginger, peeled and grated
1 garlic clove, chopped
1 small red chile, finely chopped
2 tsp cumin seeds
2 tsp coriander seed
1 tsp turmeric
seeds of 1 cardamom pod
1 cup of red lentils, picked over and rinsed
14 oz diced tomato (I use canned)
1 1/4 cup vegetable stock
squeeze of lemon or lime juice

FOR THE TOMATO SALAD:
4 tomatoes, cut into chunks
handful of cilantro, chopped
1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
pinch dried chili flakes
squeeze of lemon or lime juice

1. Make slashes in the chicken, without cutting straight thru. Mix the yogurt and tikka paste together and rub into the chiecken breasts. Leave to marinate for at least 30 minutes, to be grilled or broiled later.

2. To make the dhal: Dice and soften the onions in a little oil, in the microwave, right in the slow cooker insert. Grind together, then add the spices, cook another minute or so. Add all the other ingredients, and cook on low for 5 or 6 hours.

3. Assemble the salad, grill the chicken and pappadums, and serve.

If you like Indian, this tastes like take-out. I have done this after work, with everything ready except the grilling of the chicken. So it comes together really quickly, and tastes sooo awesome!

Cheers!

Carolyn!