A lighter version of the Indian takeaway classic from Angela Nilsen, this tomato-based curry is packed with extra spinach and peppers
Prep: 25 mins
Cook: 30 mins
Plus marinating
Ingredients
- 450g skinless, boneless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 tbsp lime juice
- 1 tsp paprika
- ¼ tsp hot chilli powder
- 1½ tbsp sunflower or groundnut oil
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 3 cardamom pods, split
- 1 small to medium green chilli
- ½ tsp cumin seed
- 1 medium onion, coarsely grated
- 2 garlic cloves, very finely chopped
- 2½ cm-piece ginger, grated
- ½ tsp turmeric
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp ground coriander
- 1 tsp garam masala
- 250ml organic passata
- 1 red pepper, deseeded, cut into small chunks
- 1 medium tomato, chopped
- 85g baby spinach leaves
- handful fresh coriander, chopped
- chapatis or basmati rice, to serve (optional)
Method
- Put the chicken in a medium bowl. Mix in the lime juice, paprika, chilli powder and a grinding of black pepper (step 1), then leave to marinate for at least 15 mins, preferably a bit longer.
- Heat 1 tbsp of the oil in a large non-stick wok or sauté pan. Tip in the cinnamon stick, cardamom pods, whole chilli and cumin seeds, and stir-fry briefly just to colour and release their fragrance (step 2). Stir in the onion, garlic and ginger and fry over a medium-high heat for 3-4 mins until the onion starts to turn brown. Add the remaining oil, then drop in the chicken and stir-fry for 2-3 mins or until it no longer looks raw. Mix the turmeric, cumin, ground coriander and garam masala together. Tip into the pan, lower the heat to medium and cook for 2 mins (step 3). Pour in the passata and 150ml water, then drop in the chunks of pepper. When starting to bubble, lower the heat and simmer for 15-20 mins or until the chicken is tender.
- Stir in the tomato, simmer for 2-3 mins, then add the spinach and turn it over in the pan to just wilt. Season with a little salt. If you want to thin down the sauce, splash in a little more water. Remove the cinnamon stick, chilli and cardamom pods, if you wish, before serving. Scatter with fresh coriander and serve with warm chapatis or basmati rice, if you like.
How to make it healthier
Angela makes her balti healthier by: Using sunflower oil instead of ghee; Frying in a non-stick wok to reduce the amount of fat for cooking; Using skinless chicken breasts; Stirring in lots of veg to provide 2 of your 5-a-day; Keeping salt to a minimum by using a quality organic passata that contained less salt, and using less for seasoning.
