BBQ Tandoori Chicken with Onion Bhajis

Saw these being cooked on Food Network channel the other day and keen to try them out myself.

Ingredients:

  • 1 large free range chicken
  • Handful of salt

For the tandoori paste:

  • 4 tbsp tandoori spice mix
  • 2 tsp garam masala powder
  • 2 garlic cloves, crushed
  • 500ml natural yoghurt
  • Juice of 1 lemon
  • 1 tablespoon tomato puree

For the Raita:

  • 480ml natural yoghurt
  • Cucumber, de-seeded and grated or finely chopped
  • Large handful mint leaves, chopped
  • Large pinch salt
  • 1 green chilli, de-seeded and finely chopped

For the Onion Bhajis:

  • 4 large onions
  • 4 large Bombay onions
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 10 cardamom pods
  • 6 teaspoons ground cumin
  • 5 teaspoons coriander ground
  • 2 teaspoons chilli powder
  • 1 teaspoons turmeric
  • Bunch of coriander, roughly chopped
  • 180-200g gram flour (chickpea flour)
  • 1 iceberg lettuce thinly sliced
  • 2 lemons for garnish

Method:

How to make BBQ Tandoori Chicken with Onion Bhajis

For the chicken, spatchcock the chicken and peel off the skin as best you can. With a sharp knife cut incisions into the chicken so the marinade can really absorb. Season chicken with salt.

In a bowl, mix all the tandoori mix together and then massage into the chicken. Leave for at least 24 hours.

Heat the grill to its highest setting. Preheat a griddled tray lined with foil and place the chicken under the grill or barbeque and cook for 45-50 minutes until cooked through. If flesh begins to burn turn heat down a little.

Leave to rest for 30 minutes.

For the onion bhaji, heat the fryer to 165°C.

Slice onions, then salt lightly and leave for 5 minutes until the onions begin to bleed. In a pestle and mortar place the cardamom pods and grind, then add the remaining spices. Add the spices, gram flour and chopped coriander to the onions, mix well until you have a dropping consistency. Shape into handful size flat discs or to whatever size you prefer then deep fry for around 7-8 minutes (shorter time if smaller) until golden crispy brown. Repeat until mix is used up.

For the raita, mix together all the ingredients and serve chilled.

On a large serving dish lay the iceberg to create a bed. Place the chicken on top then arrange bhajis around chicken. Garnish lemon wedges and coriander. Serve raita in bowl and naan if required.