Kolhapuri spit: chicken (kala masala roast chicken)
‘At this time of year, roasting is so popular – it’s a great, relaxed way to eat in winter – and it’s how we eat together as a family. A yogurt coating helps to set flavour into the chicken and keeps it succulent when roasting. It’s a great dish and the masala wedges are an easy, satisfying accompaniment.’
SERVES 4 PREP 15 mins plus at least 4 hrs marinating COOK 1 hr 45 mins EASY
1 whole chicken (about 1.4kg) 50ml rapeseed oil, plus extra for the tin, if needed
100g strained yogurt lime wedges, to serve
For the marinade
1 tbsp garlic paste
1 tbsp ginger paste
1/2 tsp turmeric
1 tsp chilli powder
1 lime, juiced
For the kolhapuri spice mix
2 tbsp vegetable oil, for frying 1 small whole dried red chili
1 tsp cumin seeds
1 tsp black peppercorns
1/2 small cinnamon stick
1 tsp coriander seeds
1 tsp mace
1 tsp whole cloves
1 black cardamom pod, seeds removed
1 tsp caraway seeds
1 bay leaf
1 small star anise
1/2 tsp grated nutmeg
2 green cardamom pods, seeds removed
1/2 tsp Szechuan peppercorns 1 Mix all the marinade ingredients with 1 tsp salt, rub all over the chicken to cover, then chill for at least 4 hrs, or up to 24 hrs.
2 To make the spice mix, heat the oil in a pan over a medium heat, and add all the spices. Fry for 3-5 mins until smelling toasted, then drain through a sieve and cool, discarding the oil. Grind to a fine powder in a spice blender or using a pestle and mortar.
3 Heat the oven to 220C/200C fan/ gas 7. Line a baking tray with foil, or lightly oil a roasting tin. Pat the chicken dry with kitchen paper, removing the excess marinade. Mix the yogurt, oil and all the spice mix together, then rub over the chicken and under the skin. Don’t worry if the mix splits a little. 4 Put the chicken, breast-side up, on the tray or in the tin. Roast for 1 hr 30-1 hr 40 mins, basting halfway through the cooking time and covering with foil if it gets too dark, until the juices run clear when a thigh is pierced with a skewer.
5 Remove from the oven, cover with foil and leave to stand for 10 mins before serving. Drizzle with pan juices and serve with lime wedges and the sweet potato wedges (right).
GOOD TO KNOW gluten free
PER SERVING 562 kcals • fat 41g • saturates 8g • carbs 3g • sugars 2g • fibre 1g • protein 47g • salt 1.7g