Come Dine with Me

Kishor Paw spiced his evening up with a fiery chicken balti on Come Dine With Me Birmingham

• 1 tbsp butter
• 2 tbsp sunflower oil
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp finely chopped garlic
• 3 medium onions, peeled and finely chopped
• 1 tsp finely chopped fresh root ginger
• 1 plump green chilli, deseeded and finely chopped
• 500ml passata (sieved tomatoes)
• 900g boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into large cubes
• ½ tsp hot chilli powder
• ½ tsp ground cumin
• ½ tsp ground coriander
• 1 tsp medium curry powder
• ½ tsp garam masala
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ tsp coarsely ground black pepper
• 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
• 100ml just-boiled water
• 1 tbsp tomato puree
• Fresh coriander, to garnish

How to make chicken balti

1. Melt the butter with the oil in a large saucepan and fry the cinnamon and cumin for a few seconds. Add the onions and cook until golden brown, stirring regularly. Stir in the garlic, ginger and chillies and cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring.

2. Stir in the tomatoes and cook until the oil separates from the onions. Add the chicken pieces and cook in the sauce until the meat is coloured and sealed on all sides. Sprinkle over the chilli powder, cumin, coriander, curry powder, garam masala, salt and pepper. Stir in the lemon juice then add the water and tomato puree.

3. Bring the curry to a gentle simmer and cook for about 45 minutes or until the chicken is tender, stirring occasionally. Alternatively, spoon carefully into a large casserole dish and cover. Cook in the centre of a preheated oven at 180@C/Gas 4 for 45 minutes. Garnish with lots of fresh coriander.

Please note this recipe is the contestant's own and has not been tested professionally. Like the Come Dine With Me contestants, you could be creating a culinary delight or dining disaster, so switch on your ovens and be bold.