My favourite indian restaurant here is named Saffron, for obvious reasons after the flavourful spice, and it absolutely delicious. It’s for the special occasions where you just have to indulge in exquisite food; my birthday, my graduation, my dad’s birthday, lunch with the Mr, a random law school lunch, and that time we just had to have indian food ordered at home. It’s pretty amazing. It made me realise how much I love Indian food, and just how many memories great meals can create. I’ve been craving anything with indian spices and coconut for ages now, in a desperate attempt to recreate one of these meals at home. Here’s the thing though; it’s pretty much on the heavy side as all indians meals are, resulting in an immediate nap thereafter. In walks this Indian butter chicken through the door.
This meal provides with you ALL the flavour, creaminess and fullness of your typical indian restaurant meal minus the over-full feeling. The Mr. and my family all said it tasted just like the food we order at Saffron, which since I used to eat the leftovers of Saffron’s food for a midnight snack, I take as a high compliment. Umm, don’t tell anyone I said that. The recipe is so easy, and while it can easily be made crockpot style by mixing everything together and cooking for about 5 hours, I made it instantly in 30 minutes. The sauce is a mix of garam masala, coconut milk and tomato paste, which creates a delicious creamy and insanely flavourful sauce that turns your kitchen into your favourite Indian restaurant immediately. Everything comes together so easy that I wouldn’t mind making this as a weekly staple. T he coconut milk replaces the typical addition of heavy cream, and I know what you’re thinking, where is the butter ?! Yes, I just did that, I nixed it totally, because you actually don’t need it in this recipe. The coconut milk is that creamy and provides a variety of flavours. On a separate note,please, indulge my weirdness and taste a bit of garam masala in your palm. No, not a tablespoon! Literally a pinch, and it will put you right in the mood. How did I not have garam masala before this?! It is packed with so much flavour that I want to make Indian food every single day for the rest of my life. Serve this over well flavoured basmati rice (recipe below) and homemade whole wheat naan bread, candlelight and some wine (a must) and you can pretty much tell everyone you went to your favourite Indian restaurant this Friday. Friday night, booked.
If you liked this Indian Butter Chicken, you need to make this Whole-Wheat Naan Bread to go with it!
Check out all my dinner recipes!
