The legendary Tikka masala spice mix is used as a marination spice blend in making many tikka recipes like:
- Paneer tikka masala
- Aloo tikka
- Chickpea tikka masala
- Mushroom tikka
- Fish tikka
- Chicken tikka masala, etc.
Tikka masala is a delicious mixture of warm and aromatic spices. The sweet paprika powder and chili give it a signature red color. It's great for preparing Indian-inspired tikka dishes like Chicken or Paneer Tikka Masala.
Today, chicken tikka masala is among the most popular dishes in the United Kingdom. There’s an area exclusively consisting of curry houses in London. It’s known as the Curry Mile. Chicken tikka masala is also the highest-selling ready-to-eat meal at Sainsbury’s, the U.K. supermarket chain. They sell around 1.6 million chicken tikka masala meals.
A Brief History of Chicken Tikka Masala
Chicken Tikka Masala is an incredible culinary wonder. Food lovers say chicken tikka masala is indelible proof of the UK's status as a multicultural nation.
With its roasted chunks of succulent chicken soaked in a creamy orange curry sauce, the dish drives people crazy worldwide!
There are a few stories behind the true origin of chicken tikka masala. According to some food researchers, Ali Ahmed Aslam was a chef at Shish Mahal, an authentic curry house in Glasgow, Scotland. In the 1970s, a customer visited Aslam's curry house. After having his food, he complained about how dry the chicken was. So, Aslam cooked a "gravy" for this customer. He used tomato soup and extra spices. He then tossed the chicken, already coated with a curry spice dry rub, into this "gravy" sauce.
The customer loved this new dish so much that he kept coming back with his friends to enjoy it.
And thus, an iconic dish was born at the Shish Mahal. This star then grew into a galaxy of constellations in its stature as a legendary British dish.
The year 2009 was memorable for Glaswegians and everyone at the Shish Mahal. Labor MP Mohammad Sarwar initiated a Motion in the House of Commons. He requested that the Parliament officially and legally recognize Glasgow as the home of chicken tikka masala. The Glasgow City Council firmly backed his proposal. Sarwar wanted the European Union to award Glasgow protected geographical status for chicken tikka masala.
Despite tremendous efforts, Sarwar's motion didn't make it to the debate.
But, some people differ from this narrative. They insist that a recipe for Shahi chicken masala exists in Balbir Singh's cookbook "Indian Cookery," from 1961. This was several years before Aslam's creation.
After going deep into the depths of the many claims of origins, these foodies point the finger toward Mrs. Balbir Singh's coveted Shahi Chicken Masala recipe. This recipe was published in 1961 in Indian Cookery.
Ethnic Food historians Peter and Colleen Grove insist that chicken tikka masala was certainly invented in Britain. A Bangladeshi chef probably conceived it.
Famous food critic Rahul Verma mentions that the dish originated in Punjab in or around 1971. According to him, "Tikka Masala is a Punjabi dish. It's not more than 40-50 years old. The dish must be an accidental discovery which has had periodical improvisations."
So, like many great things, the origins of tikka masala are entirely debatable. It's a subject of serious contention for many. Some state that it's a British version of an Indian curry. Many others state that its origins are firmly grounded in India. Then others insist that it was originally conceived in Glasgow, Scotland.
Considering all the facts around tikka masala, Glasgow remains in good standing for the chicken tikka masala capital title. So, the next time you indulge in this iconic dish, taste and savor it. Then again, the answer may never reveal itself.
Recipe for Tikka Masala Spice Mix
This homemade tikka masala spice mix recipe requires just ten spices. You don't need any blender/grinder to prepare this masala. Just mix the ingredients, and it is ready.
This Tikka masala spice mix is a unique blend of spices specially used in making many veg and non-veg tikka masala dishes. Once you try this homemade spice blend, you'll never go back to a store-bought one.
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