It is easy to understand why this bright orange slightly charred charcoal flavoured spicy dish has acquired an almost national dish status!
Tandoori chicken conquered the world with it’s unique taste and flavour. It now has a global presence and has spread to all corners of the world as a symbol of Indian cuisine. Salivated over by Presidents and Prime Ministers, this yoghurt and spice marinated chicken, cooked in the clay tandoor, is now an international favourite.
What makes Tandoori Chicken so special? It is the way it is cooked! Marinated with garam masala, cumin, cardamom, cloves, mace, nutmeg and red chillli powder, moist and juicy from inside and crisp on the outside, it is traditionally cooked at high temperatures in an earthen oven called the Tandoor and which when fully fired reaches temperatures of upto 900F. Usually paired with Naan breads and onion salads, it is scrumptious and delicious!
Conceptualised in the Indian sub-continent, Tandoori chicken actually originated from the Mughal period where it was very popular in the royal kitchens. But, Tandoori chicken almost didn’t exist! Many stories of it’s origin have arisen, such as the one below ….
Nearly 100 years ago a certain gentleman started a small restaurant in Peshawar in the North-West Frontier region of the Punjab. To add a new dish to his restaurant’s menu, he tried the version of the Tandoori Chicken using the clay Tandoor. The result was an instant hit and his restaurant became enormously successful.
However, after the partition in of India in 1947, Peshawar became part of Pakistan. He was forced to leave and found himself one among many refugees fleeing the rioting and upheaval by moving to India. Carrying his tandoor, he moved his restaurant to Delhi.
The Partition of India brought millions of refugees to Delhi and to India. They were forced to start new lives in straightened circumstances. A cheap, wholesome nutritious dish like the Tandoori chicken became even more popular and the little-known restaurateur from Peshawar became a household name all over India! So, a dish which started out as one for the ‘hoi poloi, within a few decades ended up in the chic restaurants of the World!
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