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alton brown tikka masala recipe

Alton Brown Tikka Masala Recipe

You're in for a treat with Alton Brown's Tikka Masala recipe! This dish is a lovely blend of spices that brings out the best in tender meat and creamy sauce. I use a cast iron skillet for toasting the spices, which makes your kitchen smell amazing. A key trick is to marinate the meat with garam masala overnight to really let those flavors soak in. Pair it with warm naan or steaming basmati rice for a complete and satisfying meal.
Prep Time45 minutes
Cook Time1 hour
Total Time1 hour 45 minutes
Course: Main Course
Servings: 4

Ingredients

  • 1 tbsp Coriander Seed
  • 1 tbsp Black Peppercorns
  • 1.5 tsp Cumin Seeds
  • 0.75 tsp Brown Mustard Seed
  • 4 Cloves
  • 1 Cinnamon Stick 4 inches
  • 2 tbsp Garam Masala
  • 2 tsp Kosher Salt
  • 0.5 tsp Cumin Toasted, Ground
  • 0.5 tsp Coriander Toasted, Ground

Instructions

  • Toast coriander, peppercorns, cumin, mustard seed, cloves, and cinnamon in a skillet until they’re fragrant.
  • This usually takes around 3 minutes.
  • Let them cool before grinding them into a fine spice mix.
  • Combine the spice mix with salt and garam masala.
  • This will create the earthy base for your dish.
  • Store in a sealed container until ready to use.
  • Apply the spice mixture liberally to your choice of protein.
  • Let it sit for at least 30 minutes to absorb the flavors.
  • Choose turkey or lamb for a traditional touch.
  • Cook your marinated protein over medium heat until fully cooked through.
  • Ensure it is tender yet juicy.
  • This typically takes about 15-20 minutes.
  • Prepare a creamy tomato sauce separately, adding your cooked protein into it.
  • Simmer gently to marry the flavors before serving warm.