Chicken tikka masala

A quintessential British favourite and one that shouldn't rely on a phone call to the takeaway. Chicken tikka masala - we love you.

Ingredients

• 4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts
• 4 tbsp readymade tandoori paste
• 2 tbsp natural yoghurt
• 3 tbsp vegetable oil or ghee (clarified butter)
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 8 cardamom pods
• 1 large onion, finely chopped
• 3cm/1¼in piece of fresh ginger, peeled and grated
• 2 garlic cloves, crushed
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp ground coriander
• ½ tsp turmeric
• ½-1 tsp cayenne pepper (depending on how hot you like it)
• 1x200g can chopped tomatoes
• 150ml/5fl oz chicken stock or water
• 1½ tsp garam masala
• ½ lemon, juice only
• ½ tsp salt

Method

1. Cut the chicken into bite-size pieces and mix with the tandoori paste and yoghurt. Leave to marinate in a non-metallic dish for at least a couple of hours (or overnight), stirring occasionally.
2. Heat the oil or ghee in a deep frying pan, and when it's very hot add the cinnamon, cardamom pods and onion. Fry for about 5-6 minutes until beginning to brown, then add the ginger, garlic, cumin, coriander, turmeric and cayenne pepper.
3. After the spices have cooked for about a minute, add the chicken with the marinade. Fry for 3-4 minutes, then add the tinned tomatoes, chicken stock or water, garam masala, lemon juice and salt. Bring the curry to a simmer and cook on a low heat for about 10 minutes. Serve straight away with rice or naan bread.