Just put my picture on a plate

As my little family sat around the dinner table tonight, I could see our reflection in the window, and what I saw was a family of five sitting around a kitchen table enjoying a delicious meal and fun conversation. The mom (me) even had an apron on (mine). I thought to myself that we could be on a Normal Rockwell plate. Well, except for that the meal that we were enjoying was Chicken Tikka Masala, and I was wearing black fingernail polish. Two things that I'm pretty sure Normal Rockwell didn't ever put into his pictures. However, my black polish looked awesome, and the Tikka Masala tasted amazing. My kids devoured it and even little Luke yelled  at me if I took too long getting him his 6th and 7th tastes of the sauce.  Here is the recipe:

Ingredients

• 1 cup yogurt
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger
• 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
• 3 boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-size pieces
• 4 long skewers
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup largely diced veggies such as peppers, onions, or zucchini
• 2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 2 teaspoons paprika
• 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
• 1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro

Directions

1. In a large bowl, combine yogurt, lemon juice, 2 teaspoons cumin, cinnamon, cayenne, black pepper, ginger, and 4 teaspoons salt. Stir in chicken, cover, and refrigerate for 1 hour.
2. Preheat a grill for high heat.
3. Lightly oil the grill grate. Thread chicken onto skewers, and discard marinade. Grill until juices run clear, about 5 minutes on each side.
4. Melt butter in a large heavy skillet over medium heat. Saute garlic and other veggies (red or green peppers, onions, or zucchini) for 3 minute. Season with 2 teaspoons cumin, paprika, and 3 teaspoons salt. Stir in tomato sauce and cream. Simmer on low heat until sauce thickens, about 20 minutes. Add grilled chicken, and simmer for 10 minutes. Transfer to a serving platter, and garnish with fresh cilantro. 
5. Serve over Rice. (I like brown or Jasmine)

I should have snapped a picture to include here with the recipe, but really let's face it, Indian food sort of all looks the same. So if you know what any Tikka Masala looks like, you know what this Tikka Masala looks like.