Hi Colette,
Well, it doesn't seem too much spice if you think that a vindy usually has 4 or more tsp of chilli powder, so I wouldn't think that the quantities that you have used are over the top?
The tikka masala I use is yogurt, Pataks kashmiri, tikka and tandoori paste, tsp each, mix powder, G & G paste, tsp mustard oil, red food colour, I use this to marinate the chicken and add to final dish, near the end of cooking.
Yep, I've heard this done before, I think it's something that Kris Dhillon advocates although I've never done it myself, still, you're adding this towards the end so won't make any difference to the colour in the early stages.
My advice would be;
Use plenty of oil to start with,
Add GG paste and brown slightly,
Quench with a chefspoon of base gravy and cook out on high for a minute or so,
Add your powdered spices and cook until you get that aroma that makes you cough slightly
Quench with a good chefspoon of diluted tom puree and cook out for a minute or so,
Add the peppers and a small ladle of base gravy, and cook until the peppers just give
Add more base gravy, onions and the Chicken tikka, and reduce the sauce,
Finally, add the quatered tomatoes and fresh chillies and cook until the toms just start to pulp slightly and the sauce has reduced to a consistancy that you're used to.
Garnish with fresh chopped coriander
Spoon off what oil you dont want if you wish.
Hope that helps
Ray
