Never gonna give you up.

Today was another two for one deal.

Ingredient number 1? Garam masala.

Ingredient number 2? Red curry paste.

Safeway was/is having a buy 2 spices get one free sale, so when I bought the star anise the other day, I said to myself, "Self? What fun new spice do we not have right now?" Self answered, "Garam masala. And we also need ground ginger." I had no idea what garam masala is, but I didn't care.

THEN, Krista sent me this link to the food challenge. (Thanks, Krista!) I scanned it for things that were crockable and things that I've never had and self said, "Chicken Tikka Masala, eh? That sounds like it would have garam masala in it." Guess what? Self was right!

I couldn't find the perfect recipe (whatever that means), so I improvised. Most of it comes from this recipe, but it has a little bit of this recipe mixed in.

"Chicken Tikka Masala" (6 quart pot)

The chicken tikka part:

~6 boneless, skinless chicken thighs
~1 c plain greek yogurt
~1 T lemon juice
~2 t cumin
~1 t cayenne pepper
~1 t cinnamon
~1 t pepper
~1 t salt

Add yogurt, lemon juice, cumin, cayenne pepper, cinnamon, pepper, and salt to medium bowl and mix well.
Add chicken to bowl and slather it with the mixture to marinate.
Refrigerate covered for at least 1 hour. (Mine was in there for 2.)

The masala part:

~1 (28 oz) can diced tomatoes
~5 oz tomato paste
~2 inches of ginger root, peeled and grated
~4 garlic cloves, chopped
~1 onion, diced
~1 T garam masala
~1 T red curry paste
~1 T lemon juice
~1 t cumin
~1/2 t chili powder
~1 t dried coriander

The part at the end:

~1 c cream
~2 T fresh cilantro
~brown rice, cooked
~1/2 c frozen peas

In a saucepan, lightly brown chicken over medium-high heat.
Add chicken to crock pot.
Add some olive oil/butter/whatever your grease of choice is to skillet.
Saute onion, garlic, and ginger until fragrant.
Add mixture to crock pot.
Add tomatoes, tomato paste, garam masala, red curry paste, cumin, chili powder, and coriander to crock pot.
Mix everything well.
Cover and cook on low for 8 hours.
Add cream and cilantro to crock pot and stir to combine.
When rice is done cooking add peas and stir them in.
Spoon tikka masala over rice.
Top with more cilantro.

6 servings.

Go make this.

Now.