Chicken Tikka Masala

My very Americanized version
of this classic Indian dish is easy, can be prepared without marinating in
advance and is quite tasty. You can find
packages of Tikka Masala in the grocer (the organic versions are good), but
it's basically just a spice mixture. Easy enough, but this recipe has ingredients found in most kitchens so
if you haven't planned ahead and bought the mix, make your own. No one will even notice if you've skipped a
few ingredients. The dogs especially
love this dish, so it comes highly recommended.

Chicken Tikka Masala Recipe

Spice mixture:

1 teaspoon each:

• Salt
• Pepper
• Coriander
• Cumin
• Chili powder
• Nutmeg
• Mace
• Cinnamon
• Cloves
• Cardamom
• Tumeric

• 1 pound boneless chicken, cut
  into 1-2" cubes
• 1/2 lemon
• 2 tablespoons oil
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 2" piece ginger, mined
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 8 ounces tomato sauce
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh
  cilantro
• 2 cups cooked rice (use
  brown, wild or a mixture)

In small bowl, mix together spices. In another bowl, toss chicken with lemon
juice. Set aside. Heat olive oil in large skillet. Saute garlic, ginger and onion about 2-3
minutes. Add spice mixture and stir,
cooking about 2 minutes. Add tomato
sauce and cook another 2 minutes. Add
chicken cubes and cook, stirring frequently, about 8 minutes over medium
heat. Add 3/4 cup water, stir, cover and
cook 8 minutes. Garnish with
cilantro. Serve over rice.