Tandoori chicken explained

Alternate Name:None[1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9]
Region:India,Pakistan
Associated Cuisine:Indian,Pakistani Punjabi
Course:Appetizer or main course
Main Ingredient:Chicken, dahi (yogurt), honey, tandoori masala
Variations:Tandoori paneer, fish tandoori

Tandoori chicken is a dish made from chicken marinated in yogurt and spices and roasted in a tandoor, a cylindrical clay oven. The dish is now popular worldwide. The modern form of the dish was popularized by the Moti Mahal restaurant in New Delhi, India in the late 1940s.

History

Chicken roasted in tandoor-like ovens is documented in the Harappan civilization of the Bronze Age of Indian subcontinent, as early as 3000 BC.[10] [11] [12] [13] [14] [15] Much later, the Sushruta Samhita records meat being cooked in an oven (kandu) after being seasoned with black mustard (rai) powder and fragrant spices.

Tandoori chicken as a dish originated in the Punjab before the independence of partition of India.[16] [17] In the late 1940s, tandoori chicken was popularised at Moti Mahal in the locality of Daryaganj[18] [19] in New Delhi by Kundan Lal Jaggi, Kundan Lal Gujral and Thakur Das Magu, who were Punjabi Hindu migrants from Peshawar[20] [21] [22] [23] [24] as well as the founders of the Moti Mahal restaurant.[1] [2] [3] [4] [23] They used to work at a small eatery called Moti Mahal, owned by a man named Mokha Singh Lamba in Peshawar, British India, from the 1920s to 1947.[5] [6] [25]

Tandoori chicken was popularized in post-independence India by Moti Mahal, Daryaganj in Delhi[26] [27] when it was served to the first Prime Minister of India, Jawaharlal Nehru. There, tandoori chicken became a standard offering at official banquets.

In the United States, tandoori chicken began appearing on menus by the 1960s. Jacqueline Kennedy was reported to have eaten "chicken tandoori" on a flight from Rome to Bombay in 1962.[28] A recipe for tandoori chicken was printed in the Los Angeles Times in 1963, for "the hostess in search of a fresh idea for a party dinner";[29] a similar recipe was featured in the same newspaper in 1964.[30]

Preparation

Raw chicken parts are skinned then marinated in a mixture of dahi (yogurt) and tandoori masala, a spice blend. They are seasoned and colored with cayenne pepper, red chili powder, or Kashmiri red chili powder as well as turmeric or food coloring.

The marinated chicken is placed on skewers and cooked at high temperatures in a tandoor oven, which is heated with charcoal or wood, which adds to the smoky flavour. The dish can also be cooked in a standard oven, using a spit or rotisserie, or over hot charcoal.[31]

There are also tandoori recipes for whole chicken, some of which are cooked in a tandoor and others over charcoal. These include Chirga (Roasted whole chicken); Tandoori Murgh (Roast whole chicken with almonds); Murgh Kabab Seekhi (Whole stuffed chicken on the spit); Kookarh Tandoori (Steamed chicken on spit); Tandoori Murgh Massaledarh (Whole spiced chicken on spit); and Murghi Bhogar (Chicken in the Bhogar style).[32]

Cuisine

Tandoori chicken can be eaten as a starter or appetizer, or as a main course, often served with naan flatbread.[33] It is also used as the base of numerous cream-based curries, such as butter chicken.[34]

Variations

The fame of tandoori chicken led to many derivatives, such as chicken tikka (and eventually the Indian dish popularized in Britain, chicken tikka masala), commonly found in menus in Indian restaurants all over the world.[35] Nearly all derivatives of tandoori chicken begin with a yogurt and citrus-based marinade.[36] [37]

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Who invented the dal makhani?. NDTV Food. IANS. 12 August 2014. 22 December 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141222070628/http://food.ndtv.com/opinions/who-invented-the-dal-makhani-694600. live.
  2. News: Moti Mahal offers complete Tandoori cuisine. Daily Excelsior. 2 August 2013. August 2013. 18 August 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130818195355/http://www.dailyexcelsior.com/moti-mahal-offers-complete-tandoori-cuisine/. live.
  3. Web site: 10 Best Punjabi Recipes. NDTV. 13 March 2017. 24 June 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170624133927/http://food.ndtv.com/lists/10-best-punjabi-recipes-724174. live.
  4. News: What does it mean to be a Punjabi. Quartz. 21 October 2015. 13 March 2017. 5 February 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170205235904/https://qz.com/528366/what-does-it-mean-to-be-a-punjabi/. live.
  5. Web site: 14 June 2012. Tandoori Chicken Recipe and History. live. Indiamarks. 7 July 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20120709064300/http://www.indiamarks.com/tandoori-chicken-recipe-history/. 9 July 2012. After the partition in 1947, Punjab was partitioned with the Eastern portion joining India and the Western, Pakistan. Peshawar became part of Pakistan and Gujral found himself one among many refugees fleeing the rioting and upheaval by moving to India. He moved his restaurant to Delhi in a place called Daryagunj. The Tandoori chicken at Moti Mahal so impressed the first Prime Minister of India, Jawaharlal Nehru that he made it a regular at official banquets.. en.
  6. Web site: 10 October 2008. Dinesh. Origin of Tandoori Chicken. live. 7 July 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170824053628/http://www.indianfoodsguide.com/food-articles/indian-food-articles/origin-of-tandoori-chicken-indian-food-trivia.html. 24 August 2017. After the partition in 1947, Punjab was partitioned with the Eastern portion joining India and the Western, Pakistan. Peshawar became part of Pakistan and Gujral found himself one among many refugees fleeing the rioting and upheaval by moving to India. He moved his restaurant to Delhi in a place called Daryaganj. The Tandoori chicken at Moti Mahal so impressed the first Prime Minister of India, Jawaharlal Nehru that he made it a regular at official banquets.. Indian Foods Guide. en.
  7. Web site: 14 June 2017. Vellampalli. Jaya. The tale of Tandoori chicken. dead. 2 August 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20190802130627/https://telanganatoday.com/tale-tandoori-chicken. 2 August 2019. But, do you know what ingredients are used in making this yummy dish, or who invented it? The credit goes to Kundan Lal Gujral, a Punjabi. He invented the recipe of Tandoori chicken at his restaurant Moti Mahal Delux in Delhi.. Telangana Today. en.
  8. News: 21 July 2008. Behura. Monica. High on bar Be Cues. live. 2 August 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20190922064750/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/services/hotels-/-restaurants/high-on-bar-be-cues/articleshow/3256806.cms?from=mdr. 22 September 2019. A pearl among connoisseurs of true blue north western frontier province cuisine, it (Delhi) prides itself as the inventor of the tandoori chicken.. The Economic Times. en.
  9. News: 14 August 2017. Vishal. Anoothi. Partition Changed India's Food Cultures Forever. live. 2 August 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20190802130627/https://thewire.in/food/partition-food-punjab-mughlai-bengal. 2 August 2019. As a new immigrant community poured in from across the new border, new tastes and techniques gained ground. Tandoori became the food of Delhi.. The Wire. en.
  10. The Mystery of Curry . Lawler . Andrew . Slate . 30 January 2013 . 2 July 2018 . 7 October 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181007095932/http://www.slate.com/articles/life/food/2013/01/indus_civilization_food_how_scientists_are_figuring_out_what_curry_was_like.html . live .
  11. Web site: Virasat . Ritu . Grishm . 2 July 2018 . 2 July 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180702204548/http://www.intach.org/pdf/virasat-april-june2017-eng.pdf . live .
  12. News: How archaeologists across the country are unearthing the food of ancestors to shed light on the evolution of eating . Bhuyan . Avantika . 9 April 2017 . The Economic Times . 2 July 2018 . 2 July 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180702210120/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/magazines/panache/how-archaeologists-across-the-country-are-unearthing-the-food-of-ancestors-to-shed-light-on-the-evolution-of-eating/articleshow/58085366.cms . live .
  13. Web site: 7 Kenoyer 2015 Indus Civilization.pdf: ANTHRO100: General Anthropology (002). 2020-08-22. canvas.wisc.edu. 29 June 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210629163129/https://canvas.wisc.edu/courses/48978/files/2427913?module_item_id=697603. live.
  14. Web site: Full text of "Indian Food Tradition A Historical Companion Achaya K. T.". archive.org. 2019-02-06.
  15. Book: Ahmed, Mukhtar . 2014 . Ancient Pakistan – An Archaeological History . IV . Foursome Group . 211– . 978-1-4960-8208-4 . 23 July 2019 . 3 July 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230703235801/https://books.google.com/books?id=FbLVBAAAQBAJ&pg=PA211 . live .
  16. Book: Sanghvi, Vir. Rude Food: The Collected Food Writings of Vir Sanghvi. 22 April 2004. Penguin Books India. 9780143031390. Google Books. 4 May 2021. 3 February 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220203214750/https://books.google.com/books?id=eK1uGVxmEiUC&q=tandoori+chicken+origins+afghanistan&pg=PA104. live.
  17. News: Metro Plus Delhi / Food: A plateful of grain . https://web.archive.org/web/20110629015351/http://www.hindu.com/mp/2008/11/24/stories/2008112450160200.htm . dead . 29 June 2011 . 24 November 2008 . 7 May 2009 . . Chennai, India.
  18. News: Punjab on a platter. 31 March 2018. Hindustan Times. 31 March 2018. 1 July 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180701193847/https://www.hindustantimes.com/brunch/punjab-on-a-platter/story-2e7rv1ngATLYLc2oEm4uBO.html. live.
  19. News: The History of Tandoori Chicken: Infographics. The Times of India. 3 May 2020. 28 April 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200428000404/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/food-news/the-history-of-tandoori-chicken-infographics/articleshow/75203860.cms. live.
  20. News: Punjab on a platter. Hindustan Times. 31 March 2018. 31 March 2018. 1 July 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180701193847/https://www.hindustantimes.com/brunch/punjab-on-a-platter/story-2e7rv1ngATLYLc2oEm4uBO.html. live.
  21. News: 'Vadiya Khao': Refugees taught Delhi how to eat out in style. Hindustan Times. 14 August 2017. 17 March 2018. 15 July 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190715101053/https://www.hindustantimes.com/delhi-news/vadiya-khao-refugees-taught-delhi-how-to-eat-out-in-style/story-Y5sG96AYWu7gQ9e5V6TXxN.html. live.
  22. Web site: ICC 2017 by IFCA – Showcasing the culinary spirit of IndiaKundan . Hospitality Biz India . 11 October 2017 . 17 March 2018 . 2 December 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201202130625/http://www.hospitalitybizindia.com/detailNews.aspx?aid=27842&sid=44 . live .
  23. News: Partition brought Moti Mahal, a landmark in India's culinary history, to central Delhi. Sunday Guardian. 11 February 2018. 11 June 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150611000137/http://www.sunday-guardian.com/investigation/partition-brought-moti-mahal-a-landmark-in-indias-culinary-history-to-central-delhi. dead.
  24. Book: Laura Siciliano-Rosen. Scott Rosen. 2013. Delhi Food and Travel Guide: The inside scoop on the best North Indian foods. Eat Your World . 29 October 2020. 3 July 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230703235804/https://books.google.com/books?id=NYfeAgAAQBAJ&q=kundan+lal+gujral+hindu+partition&pg=PT53. live.
  25. Web site: Tandoori Chicken – A Royal Punjabi Dish – DESIblitz. DESIblitz. 22 April 2009. 31 December 2015. 2 February 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160202015445/http://www.desiblitz.com/content/tandoori-chicken-a-royal-punjabi-dish. live.
  26. Web site: Hindustan Times: Crystal Awards for Best Restaurants . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20140901014330/http://www.delhitourism.gov.in/delhitourism/eating_out/crystal_awards.jsp . 1 September 2014 . 22 August 2014 . Delhi Tourism.
  27. News: 7 January 2011 . Motimahal celebrates Kabab festival . . live . 22 August 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110303173711/http://www.indianexpress.com/news/motimahal-celebrates-kabab-festival/734816/ . 3 March 2011.
  28. Matt Weinstock, "Strange Beast Puts the Bite on Robert" Los Angeles Times (15 March 1962): A6.
  29. http://search.proquest.com/docview/168249378/712BA118C17C4F6FPQ/3 "East Indian Cuisine Provides Inspiration for Hostesses"
  30. Marian Manners, "A Flock of Chicken Dishes From Around World" Los Angeles Times (17 September 1964): D1.
  31. Book: der Haroutunian, A. . Yogurt Cookbook . . Armenian Research Center collection . 2007 . 978-1-906502-61-4 . 184.
  32. Book: Singh, Dharamjit. Indian Cookery. Penguin Handbooks. 1970. London. 119–124.
  33. Book: Brown, P. . Anglo-Indian Food and Customs . Penguin Books . 1998 . 978-0-14-027137-9 . 88.
  34. Book: McDermott, N. . The Curry Book: Memorable Flavors and Irresistible Recipes from Around the World . Houghton Mifflin . 1999 . 978-0-618-00202-3 . 100.
  35. Book: Professional Cooking for Canadian Chefs . 381 . 0471663778 . 16 March 2017. Gisslen . Wayne . Griffin . Mary Ellen . Bleu . Le Cordon . 2006 . John Wiley & Sons .
  36. Web site: The Food Lab: How To Make Awesome Tandoori-Style Grilled Chicken At Home . Serious Eats . 1 March 2018 . 13 February 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180213222916/http://www.seriouseats.com/2011/08/the-food-lab-how-to-make-tandoori-chicken-without-tandoor-grill.html . live .
  37. Web site: Authentic Tandoori Chicken. Perdue.com. 1 March 2018. 30 April 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180430050442/https://www.perdue.com/recipes/authentic-tandoori-chicken/2375/. live.

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