Malai Boti - Recipe

 

Being a foodie, I have been trying different cuisines in various places. But despite travelling to various countries and experiencing other food delicacies I have concluded that nothing is as good as our Pakistani desi food. The spices and the flavours are unmatched. My absolute favourite dish however is Malai Boti. After witnessing many street-side desi restaurants making this, I felt like I should give it a try too. I tried to add my imagination to it; believe me, the toppings I added elevated the whole thing.

Malai Boti is a famous Pakistani dish made to perfection with tender chunks of chicken marinated in a mixture of yogurt, cream, and aromatic spices. It is a flavourful and delicious dish that is perfect for special occasions like Eid or a flavourful weeknight dinner. It can be enjoyed with Naan, chutney, and 7-up. Here is how it is made: 

Ingredients:

• 600 grams of chicken, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 1 tablespoon ginger garlic paste
• 3 tablespoons of plain yogurt
• 4 tablespoons heavy cream
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon garam masala
• 1 ½ tablespoon cumin powder
• Paste 5-6 green chillies
• 1 ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon meat tenderizer

Toppings:

1. Pinch of Kasuri methi
2. Salted butter, melted (add it according to your choice, a little or more)
3. Cream, depending on your taste

Instructions:

• In a large bowl, combine the garam masala, cumin powder, black pepper, salt, meat tenderizer, ginger garlic paste, green chilli paste, yogurt, cream, and lemon juice.
• Add chicken pieces to the marinade and mix together to coat them well. Let it marinate for 2-3 hours maximum. Ensure it’s not kept for over 3 hours otherwise, the chicken will start to break down.
• Skewer the chicken. Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Grease the grill lightly and place the chicken pieces on it. Cook for approximately 8 to 10 minutes, flipping to ensure equal golden-brown colour on all sides.
• Once the chicken has been grilled, grab a bowl, and put it in there. Add cream, melted butter and a pinch or two of Kasuri Methi and mixed it all.
• Shift it to an aesthetic-looking plate and garnish it with chopped cilantro if you want your dish to look professional just like mine.
• Serve it warm with a side of your own choice. Some great options may be Naan, plain green salad and/or rice. 

Tips:

• For a spicier version of Malai Boti, you can add chilli powder or some chopped fresh chilli peppers to the marinade you make.
• You can also add other aromatic spices to the marinade, such as coriander to give it a distinctive flavour.
• If you don't have a grill, you can cook the chicken in a pan or oven. Preheat your oven to 180 degrees Celsius and bake the chicken for about 20 minutes until golden-brown colour appears.
• If you are making this in advance, skip the meat tenderizer. In this case, yogurt and lemon juice will do their job. You must be sure you marinate the chicken for no less than 12 to 16 hours. 

I hope you enjoy this recipe for Malai Boti! It's a flavourful and delicious dish that is sure to become a family favourite.