Molecular Gastronomy Chicken Tikka Masala

Ingredients

While the essence of Chicken Tikka Masala remains intact, this molecular gastronomy version presents the dish in a deconstructed manner. The chicken is transformed into tender spheres, the sauce is transformed into a gel, and the accompaniments are reimagined as foams and powders. This adaptation focuses on enhancing the visual and textural elements of the dish, while preserving the authentic flavors. We alse have the original recipe for Chicken Tikka Masala, so you can check it out.

• 500g (1.1 lb) boneless chicken breast 500g (1.1 lb) boneless chicken breast
• 10g (0.35 oz) ginger, grated 10g (0.35 oz) ginger, grated
• 10g (0.35 oz) garlic, minced 10g (0.35 oz) garlic, minced
• 10g (0.35 oz) garam masala 10g (0.35 oz) garam masala
• 5g (0.18 oz) turmeric powder 5g (0.18 oz) turmeric powder
• 5g (0.18 oz) paprika 5g (0.18 oz) paprika
• 200ml (6.8 fl oz) plain yogurt 200ml (6.8 fl oz) plain yogurt
• 10g (0.35 oz) salt 10g (0.35 oz) salt
• 10g (0.35 oz) sugar 10g (0.35 oz) sugar
• 10g (0.35 oz) agar-agar 10g (0.35 oz) agar-agar
• 500ml (16.9 fl oz) water 500ml (16.9 fl oz) water
• 100g (3.5 oz) tomato puree 100g (3.5 oz) tomato puree
• 50ml (1.7 fl oz) heavy cream 50ml (1.7 fl oz) heavy cream
• Fresh cilantro, for garnish Fresh cilantro, for garnish

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 320 kcal / 1340 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 12g, 6g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 10g, 5g
• Protein: 40g
• Fiber: 2g
• Salt: 2g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Cut the chicken breast into small cubes and set aside.
2. 2.
   In a bowl, combine the grated ginger, minced garlic, garam masala, turmeric powder, paprika, yogurt, salt, and sugar. Mix well.
3. 3.
   Add the chicken cubes to the marinade and let them marinate for at least 1 hour in the refrigerator.
4. 4.
   In a saucepan, dissolve the agar-agar in water and bring it to a boil. Let it simmer for 5 minutes.
5. 5.
   Pour the agar-agar mixture into a shallow dish and let it set in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.
6. 6.
   Once set, cut the agar-agar gel into small cubes to resemble the sauce.
7. 7.
   In a separate saucepan, heat the tomato puree and heavy cream together until well combined.
8. 8.
   Plate the chicken tikka spheres, agar-agar sauce cubes, and tomato cream sauce creatively.
9. 9.
   Garnish with fresh cilantro.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Chicken — Ensure the chicken is cut into small, uniform cubes to ensure even cooking and texture.
• Agar-agar — Follow the instructions on the packaging for the correct ratio of agar-agar to liquid to achieve the desired gel consistency.
• Tomato puree — Opt for a high-quality tomato puree to enhance the flavor of the sauce.

Tips & Tricks

• Experiment with different spices and herbs to customize the flavors of the chicken tikka spheres.
• Use a syringe or pipette to create precise and visually appealing plating designs.
• Serve the dish on a chilled plate to maintain the integrity of the agar-agar cubes.

Serving advice

Serve the Molecular Gastronomy Chicken Tikka Masala as a visually striking centerpiece on individual plates. Encourage guests to mix and match the different components to create unique flavor combinations.

Presentation advice

Arrange the chicken tikka spheres, agar-agar sauce cubes, and tomato cream sauce in an artistic and visually appealing manner. Incorporate vibrant colors and varying heights to create an eye-catching presentation.