Why it tastes this way
This paste comes from experimenting with restaurant style flavours. It is made to work with passata and cream, giving that familiar creamy, smoky and mildly spiced tikka taste. It works especially well with chicken, paneer, cauliflower, tofu and mixed vegetables.
What you need
- 1kg chicken, cut into pieces
- 1 Basha Tikka Curry Paste, 150g pouch or jar
- 100ml passata
- 150ml light or heavy cream
- A tiny bit of oil
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Bloom the paste
Add a tiny bit of oil to a pan on medium heat. Add the paste and cook for a minute, stirring slowly. The tomato and spice smell will fill the room, warm, aromatic and slightly smoky. That's your cue to move on.
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Add the chicken and passata
Add the chicken pieces and pour in 100ml of passata. That's just smooth tomato — find it next to the tinned tomatoes in any supermarket. Stir well so the chicken is fully covered in the deep red sauce.
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Cook, then make it creamy
Cook on medium heat until the chicken is fully done, about 15 minutes. Then pour in 150ml of cream and stir gently. Let it simmer for another 5 minutes until the sauce is thick, smooth and coats the back of a spoon.
More variants
More ways to use the Tikka paste — coming soon.