Tandoori Chicken

with coriander, served with basmati rice. Wine suggestion: White Burgundy. St-Aubin, Pouilly-Fuissé, or Montagny. Serves 6.

Ingredients:

• 6 boneless and skinless free-range chicken thighs
• 4 skinless free-range chicken breasts, cut into large pieces
• Juice of ½ lemon
• 1 tablespoon paprika
• 2 teaspoons chilli powder
• 2 large handfuls of roughly chopped coriander
• 5 garlic cloves, crushed
• Small piece fresh ginger, sliced
• 3 tablespoons sunflower oil, plus extra for brushing
• 2 teaspoons cardamom seeds, finely ground
• 2 tablespoons garam masala
• 250ml whole milk natural yoghurt
• 40g unsalted butter, melted
• Basmati rice, to serve

Preparation:

1. Make a few slits in each of the chicken thighs, and put into a large glass bowl with the breast pieces. Sprinkle with the lemon juice, paprika, chilli powder, chopped coriander and a good pinch of salt, and rub everything in. Leave to marinate for at least an hour.
2. Meanwhile, put the garlic, ginger, oil, cardamom, garam masala and yoghurt into a food processor and blend thoroughly until smooth. Pour on to the marinated chicken and mix well. Cover and chill for as long as possible (at least an hour, overnight if possible).
3. Preheat the barbecue if you are using one, or set your oven to gas mark 4/180°C.
4. Lift the chicken out of the marinade and shake off the excess. If you are using the barbecue then thread the breast pieces and thighs on to long metal or bamboo skewers, leaving 3-4cm between each one, so that the heat can circulate.
5. Brush the chicken lightly with oil and brush the bars of the grate well with oil. Place the skewered chicken and the legs on to the grate and cook directly over a high heat for 4 minutes each side. Use a wide spatula to release them from the grate a few times during the first 1-2 minutes, to prevent sticking. Turn occasionally, so they are nicely marked by the grate and charred a little here and there.
6. Lift the chicken off the grate on to a plate and brush with the melted butter. Turn off the middle burner or push the coals to either side of the grate. Return the chicken to the grate and continue to cook over an indirect high heat for 3-5 minutes each side or until cooked through – the juices from the thickest part of the leg should run clear when pierced.
7. If you are using the oven, place the chicken in an ovenproof dish and cook for 35-40 minutes until the chicken is cooked through. Serve with basmati rice and another sprinkle of coriander to garnish.