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Okay, so I’ve got the perfect weeknight curry for you all today that is naturally vegetarian, really filling, and perfect if, like me, you’re self-isolating somewhere far, far away from your nearest Indian takeaway: Halloumi Tikka Masala. Squeaky, salty, melty pieces of golden fried halloumi are tossed in a quick, creamy tikka masala sauce which is delicious served over some pilau-style rice. It is rich, hearty and really addictive.
I started making this with halloumi as it is a long life item I seem to always be able to stock up on each week when I do the family Waitrose shop for food and other essentials, but this simple cheats tikka masala sauce is also great to fold chickpeas (for a vegan option) or griddled pieces of paneer into, or even leftover pieces from a roast chicken (to make sure nothing goes to waste!) Also, I’ve been using double cream here because it is what we’ve always got a little leftover of in the fridge (my Mum makes the most delicious homemade ice cream but we can’t get the right size pots for a batch at the moment!) but I have written the recipe with single cream as it will have the same effect and is much healthier! If you’ve got coconut milk open in the fridge, use that instead!
small handful roughly chopped fresh coriander, to serve
Instructions
Peel and blitz together the garlic, ginger and onion together in a mini chopper or small food processor to make a paste.
Heat a generous splash of oil in a medium saucepan set over a medium high heat. Add the paste along with the salt and cook for 8-10 minutes until translucent, fragrant and only just starting to turn golden.
Stir in the spices and cook for a further minute, before doing the same with the tomato puree. Stir in the passata, and turn the heat down to medium. Allow the sauce to blip away for 10 more minutes.
Cube the halloumi. Heat a large, non-stick frying pan without any oil in over a high heat and add the cheese, cooking for a few minutes before turning each piece over until they’re nice and golden.
Stir the cream into the tikka masala sauce, followed by the griddled halloumi cubes. Serve with pilau rice and fresh coriander.
I'm a food writer, professional recipe developer and cookbook author living in the English Countryside. I love creating easy, accessable recipes filled with vibrant world flavours that are manageable on busy weeknights. Simple and delicious dinners, from my kitchen to yours!
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One Pan Pescatarian: 100 Delicious Dinners – Veggie, Vegan, Fish
My second cookbook contains 100 delicious dinner recipes, all of which are either vegetarian, vegan or which celebrate fish and seafood - all cooked in either one pot or one pan.*
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