We’re going to India! We’ve bought our tickets and have made most of the arrangements for the ten days that we’ll be there–and I cannot believe how soon that is! We would usually try to space things out a bit more, but Aron had the rare opportunity for a longer break so that, in spite of the long flight, we would still have enough time there to justify the trip–we figured we needed to jump at the opportunity. And we thought traveling in April would mean we’d be there before it really got hot. (Which we’ve since learned from the reactions of those in the know is not going to be the case. But we’ll be fine!)
To celebrate (and in the name of research) we made Indian food and watched Gandhi on Friday night (having already re-watched Darjeeling Limited and Slumdog Millionaire recently). Aron made his “Norwegian Tandoori Chicken.” I’ve heard him call the dish this a few times now and I can’t believe I never realized how ridiculous a name this is until now! “Wait–why Norwegian?” He explained that his Norwegian roommate in Australia used to make it and claimed it as a Norwegian dish because it used dairy. “You know, they eat so much yogurt.”
Our house smelled like curry for most of the following day, but it was wonderful! Thank you, Aron’s roommate.
You’ll need a Tandoori spice mix (I use Rajah Tandoori Masala spice, which we get from an Indian store near Ashley’s work), chicken, onions, garlic, yogurt (I prefer the Greek-style yogurt), and an oven-proof pan that will hold your cubed chick in a single layer.
Update: Thank you everyone for all the comments and well wishes! We’re very excited!
The recipe for “Norwegian Tandoori Chicken” is actually really easy–though I’ll probably make it sound harder than it is.
You’ll need a Tandoori spice mix (I use Rajah Tandoori Masala spice, which we get from an Indian store near Ashley’s work), chicken, onions, garlic, yogurt (I prefer the Greek-style yogurt), and an oven-proof pan that will hold your cubed chick in a single layer.
Preheat oven to 450 degrees
-Cube boneless skinless chicken and cover each piece completely with the spice
-Chop 2 medium onions and 1 clove of garlic
-Sauté the chicken in some butter (Norwegian, remember) or ghee. Avoid the temptation to manipulate the chicken until the cubes are browned on one side; then flip.
-Once browned on both sides (but not cooked through) remove chicken from heat and set aside.
-Deglaze the pan: cook the chopped onions and garlic in the pan until the onions are clear
-Combine the sautéed garlic and onions with the yogurt (enough to halfway cover the chicken in the pan) and add more masala spice along with salt and pepper to taste. I also add cayenne pepper at this point.
-Deglaze the pan: cook the chopped onions and garlic in the pan until the onions are clear
-Combine the sautéed garlic and onions with the yogurt (enough to halfway cover the chicken in the pan) and add more masala spice along with salt and pepper to taste. I also add cayenne pepper at this point.
-Place the chicken on the yogurt-onion mix, and bake until the chicken is cooked through, usually 10-15 min depending on how thick your cubes are.
Enjoy!
(Photo of Victoria Station from here)
{ 17 comments… read them below or add one }
That's awesome!
Fortunately for me, my city is filled with Indians, so it's like I'm in India already!
P.S. I also love that bread thing they make, stone baked Naan!
Jealous…again! Have a blast, I am sure it will be great!
Ooh, this sounds lovely! The research doesn't sound too bad, either
Thanks for stopping by!
how fun! I love the flatbread,nan.
I also recommend you these two movies. Devdas, and Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham (sometimes you cry,sometimes you laugh) two of my favorite movies! I think in my previous life I was indian.LOL. because I love Indian culture (the food, music, movies) but I still haven't made it to visiting India. I will be looking forward to seeing your photos.
Saludos,
A Mexican mommy living in Europe
aww that's wonderful
plus the second picture looks eeeveeer so yummy. thank you for your comment! i followed you 
have a great week! x mariana
Sounds like a recipe I need! Do you still have contact with the old roommates? Wouldn't it be fun to visit them in Norway?
Yum! Will you be sharing your Norwegian Indian recipe?
I can't wait to see the photos from this adventure!
That is incredible! I hope your trip is amazing! I look forward to lots of photos!
tandoori chicken (norwegian or not) is the best dish ever! you are so lucky to be going to india!
Thank you for all the well wishes! I've updated the post with the recipe.
If you happen to make it to McCleod Ganj, let me know and I'll give you my cousins' address. Their names are Mimi and Milton Burke.
So nice JM Hunter… But I think we'll be south of there.
Where in India are you going? I lived there for 6 months, and its an amazing place–I am sure you will love it! Especially the food, yum! If you can find it, try watching Omkara, which is the Bollywood version of Othello…
Elisa and H. Hart–thanks for the movie suggestions. I will definitely try to check them out. I have to admit that I occasionally watch Showbiz India on the weekends, so I'm thinking I need to watch some Bollywood classics soon.
H. Hart: Where were you in India? What was the program with which you went? We're flying into Mumbai and out of Delhi, stopping at Udaipur, Jodhpur, and at least one night in between those last two spots.
I love Indian food so much and I am loving your blog. Absolutely a follower now.
im from bombay!
i can never pic but i think i like nyc a lil more than bombay although i live in nj
go figure