The rest of the world may have this image of South Africa as a land of perpetual sunshine and heat, but we know better. There may not be snow on the ground, but that doesn’t mean we don’t feel the chill during winter. No, whether you’re suffering from the dry bite of a Highveld cold front, or driving rain in the cape, there’s definitely more than enough shivers to go round. And what better way to chase away the winter blues, and clear out your sinuses, than with a blast of a classic curry that has taken over the world.
Chicken Tikka Masala’s origin is fiercely disputed. Depending on who you believe, it either developed organically in the Punjab during the early 1970s, or that the dish resulted from a grumpy Glasgow patron’s complaining about how dry his chicken tikka was in 1971. But the source doesn’t matter as much as the fact that it has grown to be one of the popular dishes in the world. Its combination of creamy sauce and tangy spice have now been a favourite for generations.
Interesting, due to the youth of the dish compared to other curries, it hasn’t settled into fixed recipe yet, with the vast array of variations spread across the globe. Often it seems like the only common ingredient is the chicken!
We’ve prepared a quick, 30-minute recipe that uses classic ingredients in combination with the sugar-free Parmalat Fabulite yoghurt, for a winter warmer suited for us. Because, while we know that Fabulite is great as a snack or used in smoothies and muesli, you can also use its plain flavour variety for your general cooking needs.
Ingredients:
- 1 tsp canola oil
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 1 red pepper, finely chopped
- 2 skinless chicken breasts, cubed
- 2 tbsp tikka masala paste
- 2-3 cloves of garlic, crushed
- 1 x 400g tin chopped tomatoes
- 2 tbsp freshly chopped coriander plus 2 tsp to serve
- 2 tbsp plain Fabulite yoghurt
Instructions
- Add the oil to a pan and add the onions and peppers. Cook for 5 minutes until soft and add the chicken breasts and cook for 3 minutes.
- Add the tikka masala paste and stir for 1-2 minutes until the chicken is evenly coated.
- Add the garlic and tomatoes, mix again and bring to a gentle boil then cover and simmer gently for 6-8 minutes.
- Add the coriander, stir well then remove from the heat.
- Stir in the yogurt, sprinkle with the remaining coriander and serve immediately.
If you want to know more about how Fabulite yoghurt works with a diabetic diet, check out their informative website here.