Cuisine of Punjab: Tandoori Chicken

Tandoori Chicken Serves 4 – 6

Ingredients:

• 1.3 kg/3 lb ready to roast chicken
• 250ml/8 fl oz natural yogurt, beaten
• 60ml/4 tbsp. tandoori masala paste
• 75g/30z ghee,
• salt
• lemon wedges and onion rings, to garnish lettuce, to serve.

Method :

Using a sharp knife or scissors, remove the skin from the chicken and trim off any excess fat. Using a fork, beat the flesh at random.

Cut the chicken in half down  the center and through the breast. Cut each piece in half again. Make a few deep gashes diagonally into the flesh. Mix the yogurt with the  masala paste and salt. Spread the chicken evenly with the yogurt mixture, spreading some in to the gashes. Leave for at least 2 hours   but preferable overnight.

Preheat the oven to its hottest setting. Place the marinated chicken quarters in a wire rack in a deep baking tray. Spread the chicken pieces with any excess marinade, reserving a little for basting halfway through the cooking time.

Melt the ghee and pour over the chicken quarters to seal the surface. This helps to  keep the center of the chicken moist during the roasting time. Cook in the oven for  10 minutes at the maximum heat, then remove, leaving the oven switched on.

Baste the chicken pieces with the remaining marinade. Return  to the oven and switch off the heat. Leave the chicken in the oven for about 15-20 minutes without opening the door.

Serve on a bed of lettuce and garnish  with the lemon and onion rings.