At the heart of a row: Chicken Tikka Masala
>> Saturday, 15 August 2009
Last week, news broke that there was a battle over who could claim ownership over Chicken Tikka Masala. Scottish Members of Parliament had invoked the wrath of Delhi historians and chefs. These Scottish MPs tabled a motion to have the dish's origin be officially recognised as Scottish through a Protected Designation of Origin. Personally, I think that this desire to hammer down the origins of Chicken Tikka Masala is part of a global trend and it is less about who created it and more about who can profit from it. Click here to read this week's column for my thoughts on this issue.
For this week's column and post, I sought to make Murgh/Chicken Tikka. Thanks to a very dear friend, Sonia, I was recently introduced to this book: Prashad - Cooking with Indian Masters. The recipe I used (Murgh Tikka) came from this book which is a gem! Thanks a mil Sonia!
This recipe is not the typical one you will find online, I cannot post it here but if you are interested in trying it, do email me.
A few weeks ago I saw this recipe for a Citrus Pudding at Patricia's blog and just could not help myself. It's really good. The next time I make it, however, I'll reduce the amount of sugar for my personal taste but my guests thoroughly enjoyed it. Here's the recipe.
Finally, I learnt this week, of the end of blog which I and many of you had grown very fond of - Sunita's World. Thanks for sharing your life and food with us my friend. As Manisha said, "I wish you many - if not more - friends in what you take up next." You will be dearly missed.
62 comments:
A flavorful tikka masala and an irresistible pudding! Fantastic!
Cheers,
Rosa
i can't decide what looks better, the pudding or the chicken. well, everybody needs dessert.
Gorgeous chicken tikkas. Mouth watering delicious. I am glad the Indian government has eyes and ears open these days. As for chicken tikka masala the Scots can claim all they want nothing would change anyway.
Everything is droolworthy Cynthia. A very inmofrmative post.
So interesting! I think Chicken Tikka Masala is North Indian. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.
The citrus pudding looks amazing!
Lovely dishes cynthia...as said even I can't decide which one looks more delicious!
Chicken tikka masala sounds divine with the dessert!
That pudding looks awesome, truly! Yum!
As to the Chicken Tikka Masala ... I don't know that I'd claim it for my own: the stuff is fairly horrible, over here, from what I can tell. Really, truly: you DON'T want to eat "a curry" in Scotland. Bleh!
What a masaledar dish! love your pictures, makes me drool!
no doubt you owned this tikka and the bread pudding - very nice!
Love both of them--lemon pudding and tikka masala--delish.
Hey, beautiful!
Your citrus pudding looks so good, I'm glad you tried that recipe!
xoxo
Yummy! I love both dishes, Cynthia!
Photos and text are gorgeous as always Cynthia -- I must email for the recipe :) But wasn't chicken tikka masala some British version of an Indian dish that never existed in the first place? I will have to read your column too :)
I've never had chicken tikka masala, but your photos make me want to right now. And the citrus pudding, gorgeous!
Wow Cynthia,tikka masala looks stunning & love the pudding too.
absolutely delicious meal ;)
I read your column, Cynthia, well-written.
The whole argument is absurd. Whenever I read something like this, I wonder why we can't let some things be, like a restaurant menu! For instance, we have Jain pizzas here in India, where no onion, garlic come into touch with the pizza - I wonder if we can patent that!
I love an excellent tikka massala & that dessert!
I must taste it! Looks so delicious too!!!
Excellent pictures, Cynthia!
A delectable menu between the spicy chicken tikka masala and the fluffy citrus pudding...!
Oh, Cynthia... You know I would love this post! I know I've been neglectful to try any recipes you have sent me so far, but would you mind sending me this Tikka Masala recipe??? I swear, It's on my list of recipes to try... A long, long list of recipes to try :)
Wow! I repeat a comment above, "Mouth watering" delicious.
Paz
I'd line up right now for a big scoop of that chicken tikka masala over rice. Comfort food at its best!
It all looks so fantastic Cynthia I always love visiting your blog and seeing what delicious food you have cooked.
I read your column and I totally agree with you.
Made the news, eh?? Interesting!! Regardless of who wins the debate, it's still a classic dish :)
Miss you, Cynthia!! Hope all is well!!
Who cares who came up with the recipe first, your version looks so good! I have to look for this book.
I'll let them argue this one out while I have a look at all these delicious goodies.....the chicken is mouthwatering to say the least and the citrus pudding is something I grew up with...a delight!!
Gosh girl! Both the dishes look so delectable. Great write-up and great pics as always. So when are we getting to try the citrus pudding?
Delicious tikka masala and incredible pudding !!!
Hi Cynthia dear..wish i could grab that spoonful of pudding..and have a bite of that tikka w/ naan. they look yummy.
Delicious is the word Cynthia!! this is a welcome food any time here, but i do make the cheaters version sometimes.. the skewered chicken looks great.
Tikka Masala & Scotts? does it sound Scottish? so absurd!
Delicious looking pictures! I, too, am sad to see the close of Sunita's World. Her blog is so gorgeous -- must have been so time-consuming. I wish her the best in her next quest.
I believe you're right -- the little spat about the Chicken Tikka Masala is more about profit than about love for a cultural dish or food icon. As your reader Linda says, it's a dish that didn't exist in India in the first place, but that's not really the point. Others may vehemently disagree, but despite the make-believe cultural significance of the dish, this naming-and-claiming seems an attempt at cultural appropriation.
Pak Karamu reading your blog
What's with the scots...they both look amazing! I want some of that pudding!
Loved your article. I think it speaks to many issues in the world.
On a super happy note that pudding looks fantastic!!!
Your chicken tikka masala looks fantastic. And I'll have you know this is my favorite Indian food.
Gorgeous chicken tikka masala and the pudding is a perfect dessert!
We went to an Indian restaurant in June and were served Chicken Tikka Sizlar. As an accompaniment to the meal we had Poppadom (Papadum?) A very thin crispy flatbread. I don't know what this bread was made from.
Mmmm that looks like the perfect meal spicy chicken marsala followed by refreshing lemon pudding...perfect:)
Lovely lovely pics ;) I keep saying this and I wil say it again. Your pics of food I don't eat also entices me. Period.
That said, let me go check the citrus pudding.
I am a little amused and a little threatened by the Scottish claim to chicken tikka. I'm not surprised though. The dish is so ubiquitous in the UK...while living there I've seen restaurants with 'british cuisine' serve chicken tikka.
Aren't these international food feuds getting ridiculous? I say we solve the problem and make yours the official dish. Whadda ya say? :)
ps-Just read your article and enjoyed it.
Oh wow the dessert looks incredible! Mouth wateringly incredible :)
The chicken looks delicious...yummie! And what a nice ending to a meal...lovely dessert!
This looks delish! Pudding looks wonderful too. This is my first visit to your blog and it's excellent. Thanks for all the inspiration!
Best wishes
Lucie x
http://cookingatmarystow.blogspot.com/
Cynthia, first time here. You have a nice blog and have very rich experience in kitchen and blogging as well. :) Your citrus dessert looks so yummy!
Sonu (sevenspice.wordpress.com)
Do you not tire of all these delicious recipes?:) LOL I HOPE not because I never tire of seeing them:)
How silly to try to claim such an Indian sounding recipe as Scottish. Your puddings looks gorgeous!
I know...I read that article and I was flabbergasted....the things that people fight over!!!
tikka masala is always India..no other way!
I make once in a while,the restaurant type red tikka masala..this looks so different..am curious to know the recipe..:)
I read your yet another interesting post. Very well written and informative. Both tikka masala and pudding look tantalizing especially now that i am trying to lose an inch or so:)
What a wonderful tikka masala and a gorgeous pudding!
Oh my! That pudding looks divine!
Spicy tikka,certainly has to be Indian :D
Pudding looks like a scrumptious dessert.
Not sure if the problem is just with my browser,but some of the text in the left column is not visible.
Hi Cynthia, Just popped in to see what's on the menu. I'm in a dessert kind of mood. May I have some pudding, please. It looks delectably enticing and I just can't resist! Thanks for sharing...
I love the thick marinade it looks so diff from the one that I make.I'd love to learn this recipe from u.
The citrus pudding ........wow looks so beautiful.
Great piece Cynthia. Your "two cents" offers a smart perspective to this conundrum of who owns what recipe.
LL
sorry for not dropping by recently Cynthia. I did some maintenance on my blog and have to re-tidy my blogroll again. Nice to drop by your cosy area again!
yummm.. ive heard of tikka masala from one of my friend in india. but never made on my own :) love the yummy pudding. they look absolutely gorgeous!
cheers!!
The chicken looks delicious. I heart chicken
That's a funny story about the tikka masala. I was surprised in Edinburgh that some of the strongest Scots accents I encountered were at an Indian take-away place. Obviously the Scottish-Indian connection is deeper than I thought.
Ohhhhhh it's my favourite chicken recipe...looks extremely yummyliicous...love that hint of citrus in pudding...very yum....
everything looks so yum Cynthia.
I think I will try the pudding soon... the next time we have folks over for a meal maybe :)
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