Chicken Tikka Masala
from Bess
(sorry Megan hope you weren't waiting too long for this)

Powder Marinade
1/2 tsp ground cumin
1/2 tsp ground coriander
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
1 tsp salt
Combine above ingredients in a small bowl
2 lbs cut up chicken- marinate in above ingredients place in a tightly covered dish and put in refrigerator for 30-60 min.

Yogurt Sauce
1 c whole milk plain yogurt
2 Tbsp oil
2 medium crushed garlic cloves
1 tsp freshly grated ginger
Whisk these ingredients together in a bowl and set aside

Garam Masala Sauce
3 Tbsp oil
1 medium finely diced onion
2 medium crushed garlic cloves
2 tsp freshly grated ginger
1 serrano pepper-minced
1 Tbsp tomato paste
1 Tbsp Garam Masala seasoning
1-28 ounce can crushed tomatoes
2 tsp sugar
1/2 tsp salt
2/3 c cream
1/4 c fresh cilantro leaves

Prepare the sauce:
Heat oil over medium heat
Add onion and cook 8-10 min
Add garlic, ginger, garam masala, Serrano pepper, tomato paste and cook 3 minutes
Add crushed tomatoes, sugar, salt, salt and bring to a boil
Reduce heat and simmer 15 minutes
Stir in cream and return to simmer
Remove pan from heat and keep covered and warm

While sauce is simmering, place oven rack on middle level and heat broiler
Using tongs dip chicken pieces into yogurt mixture until it is coated thickly
Place on broiler pan and broil 10-18 min- turn chicken over halfway through cooking time
The best tasting chicken is well done and almost burnt on the outside
Let chicken rest 5 min after it is done cooking
Stir chicken into warm sauce-do not simmer chicken
Add cilantro
Delicious!

I don't use fresh ginger because I am lazy
I don't add sugar
I usually don't add the Serrano pepper because I forget to buy it-but I LOVE it with the extra heat it adds so I do recommend adding it!
I don't add cilantro see above-both lazy and forget to buy- nice color touch and flavor so I do recommend adding it as well
I use olive oil
I have used vanilla yogurt and it hasn't been too sweet
The part Bess dislikes most about my adaptation of this recipe is that I use canned cream-found in Hispanic foods section (Nestle) It works great and doesn't go bad so I stock up when it's on sale or when I'm feeling rich-hee hee
Oh and most importantly we recently started grilling the chicken outside which is way easier and quicker and much less messy for cleanup! Have fun!