Topic: Lasan chicken tandoori (from the F-Word)

[Cory Ander]

i'm not saying anyone including BIR's have to marinade for any particular length of time. i have found by trial and error that 3 to 4 days is about the optimum ie less than 3 days is not as good and more than 3 days is no better. if i can only marinade for say 24hrs then i switch from tikka to par boil chicken (well boil is more like simmer).

Yes, but if BIRs marinate for far less than 3 to 4 days (I presume) and it tastes brilliant?  Doesn't that suggest you're doing something very different to them? 

[JerryM]

CA,

i'm almost with u. the tandoor makes a big difference too. when i use my chiminea the food takes a clear step up.

although the BIR does taste brill - the texture (tenderness) is not always as brill as u can get. there are clearly some BIR (i know one) who use top notch meat. the local TA don't and yes they don't marinade for 3 days either. the taste of the tikka is brill but the texture lets it down.

[Secret Santa]

It seems clear to me that the BIRs wouldn't marinate for 3 or 4 days, but I can see why Jerry takes this route as it does allow the marinade to penetrate better and must help with tenderisation of the meat.

I suspect that the BIRs with the tenderest tikkas are using chicken that is pumped full of water as I would imagine that that would both soften the raw meat and allow the marinade to penetrate better in a shorter time.

I can confirm that the Iceland 3-bags-for-a-tenner chicken breasts come out very tender, and guess what, yes, they're pumped with water. And BTW, you chicken snobs, try these Iceland chicken breasts, I think you'll be pleasantly surprised.

[michaelpratt]

Surely after 3 days the meet isn't marinated, it is practically cooked? Pickled at least. 24 hours in the fridge (or overnight - therefore 8-10 hours) is all I have ever seen. 30 minutes usually does the job. And if you are using good meat, why mask the flavour of the meat by such treatment?

[JerryM]

we are currently using up farm foods 3 for a tenner. this offer has alas i think gone.

will have to try iceland they sound very similar to the farm foods as our alternative ASDA Smart are very poor in comparison.

the meat after the 3 days is in very good condition - not cooked or pickled. it's one to try - but if it don't suit then stick with what u know.

i'm going for 2 off samples later this week using more chicken to meet demand.
 

[Derek Dansak]

i have spent alot of time marinating and cooking chicken in the oven. the key is at least 24 hours marination, 2 days is better. then turn oven up to 180 degrees , then place chicken in middle of oven for about 12 to 16 mins. depending on how chunky your chunks are!!  I like chunky chunks  ;D    if you get the cooking time just right the chicken is very tender. too long and it dries out.  as soon as the chicken is cooked and not pink remove it and test it.

[JerryM]

if you get the cooking time just right the chicken is very tender. too long and it dries out.  as soon as the chicken is cooked and not pink remove it and test it.

DD,

thought about exactly this same nightmare myself today. as u point out fiddling about with ingredients and marinade times can all be spoilt in a matter of a few mins.

it's the cooking that's just as crucial in getting that result that we all love so much.

[JerryM]

the last test was real good fun and familly loved the event. hence i've started a 2nd batch. the lasan is left on the shelf for now.

i've remade the CA (lemon juice replaced with lime) and test recipe (black salt replaced with normal salt). the test recipe still contains mustard oil and lime juice.

the white pepper, fennel, black salt are effectively left on the shelf for a while.

at this stage CA's still tastes best. not surprising i guess as it has significantly more ingredients.

[Derek Dansak]

nice pics Jerry

[Secret Santa]

will have to try iceland they sound very similar to the farm foods as our alternative ASDA Smart are very poor in comparison.

OOPS! Sorry Jerry I meant Farmfoods, I tend to confuse the two!

And I'm gutted if that deal has stopped. That was perfectly good chicken at a cracking price.