Plantain Baskets Topped with Guacamole & Chicken Tikka is my 7th Post for the #MyFriendAlexa Challenge via #BlogChatter
Fusion Food with Mexican Guacamole with Chicken Tikka
In lieu of the final week of the Masterchef Challenge, Chef Siddharth gave us a Fusion Food challenge. Naturally, it kept me thinking of various options but finally, I opted for these Mexican- Indian, Plantain Baskets Topped with Guacamole & Chicken Tikka. My daughter-in-law is Mexican and I make Guacamole quite often for her which she relishes with any roasted Indian Chicken. Incidentally, Mexicans use plantain too and that’s how I got the idea of using the plantain and making cute little baskets and topping them with Guacamole and Chicken Tikka.
How to make Plantain Baskets Topped with Guacamole & Chicken Tikka
In fact, it seemed a daunting task but at the end, it was worth the trouble. The smoky, grilled aroma and melt-in-mouth chunks of meat can be addictive. Actually, I love these grilled skewered kebabs as they are fast and fabulous and relished by one and all. Twice-fried plantains topped with avocado and roasted Chicken Tikka is the perfect savoury finger food or canapé. It goes well with drinks and good enough for kids too.
Ingredients for Plantain Baskets
1 plantain
1 tiny bowl for moulding
Oil for frying
Ingredients for Chicken Tikka
250 gms boneless chicken pieces
½ cups Greek yoghurt
2 tbsp Fresh cream
2 tbsp mayonnaise
1/4 tsp. pepper powder
1/2 tsp Red Chilli Powder
Salt to taste
1/2 tsp cumin powder
1/2 tsp Garam masala powder
1/2 tbsp Ginger-Garlic Paste
1 tsp crushed Kasuri methi
1 tbsp lemon juice
1/2 tsp Turmeric Powder
1 tbsp edible oil
1/4 tsp red food colour
Ingredients for Guacamole
1 medium ripe avocado, halved and pitted
½ finely chopped white onion
1 sprig finely chopped fresh cilantro
1 small jalapeño, seeds and ribs removed, finely chopped
1 tsp lime juice (from about 1 ½ lime), or more if needed
1 teaspoon salt to taste
Method for Plantain Baskets
Firstly, start by peeling the plantains, then cut them into 1-inch slices. Next, fry the slices in plenty of hot oil until they are lightly browned.
Further, remove plantains slices from the oil and use a heavy bowl to crush them (be careful not to break them apart).
I took a terracotta diya or lamp and pressed each plantain slice into it and formed a basket shape. Remove and mould all the baskets. After that, re-fry until golden brown and set aside.
Method for Tikka
Secondly, wash the boneless chicken and pat dry and place in a bowl.
Add salt to taste, red chilli powder, ginger-garlic paste, pepper powder and juice of one lime. Smear the chicken pieces nicely and keep aside.
Further on, in another bigger bowl, add the Greek yoghurt, cumin, coriander, garam masala powder, Kasuri methi, turmeric, food colour, cream, fresh coriander, oil and make a smooth silky marinade.
Consequently, add the boneless chicken pieces and coat them nicely so that they drown in this rich marinade. Give a mix. Finally, cover the marinated chicken and set aside for 4 hours.
Instead of grilling the chicken in the oven, I just pan-fried them
Take a non-stick pan, add 2 tbsp. oil and heat it. Place the marinated chicken on the pan and grill till nicely roasted on all sides. Remove and set aside.
Method for Guacamole
In the meantime, I’m preparing a guacamole recipe that I learnt from my Mexican Samdhan.
To prepare the avocado, simply scoop the avocado flesh into your bowl with a spoon. It is truly, a lot easier than dicing it. Diced avocado pieces are slippery.
For instance, if you have a gorgeous red summer tomato, you can chop and use it but my recipe doesn’t call for tomato. I also skipped the garlic, because I added it in the Tikka marinade.
I also added 1/4 teaspoon ground coriander, which offers the irresistibility factor. Coriander is a little trick that I learned from Sylvie. Using a fork, mash up the avocado until it reaches your desired texture quickly add the onion, jalapeño, lime juice, coriander, and salt. Stir to combine.
Assembling the Plantain Baskets Topped with Guacamole & Chicken Tikka
Now that all your components are ready, it is time to assemble the hors de oeuvres. Take the baskets. Place a dollop of avocado in each fried plantain basket, then top with a chicken tikka and a sprinkle of crushed red and pepper.
Finally, your Plantain Baskets Topped with Guacamole & Chicken Tikka starters are ready to be served. A fusion of Mexican and Indian Cuisine just like my son, an Indian married a Mexican girl!
Incidentally, last year I had made baskets for Oreo Dessert with Lemon Curd and before that these baskets for Kale Mushroom quiche Cups with bread. Do check them out.
I’m taking my blog to the next level with #MyFriendAlexa via #BlogChatter
- INGREDIENTS for Plantain Baskets
- 1 plantain
- 1 tiny bowl for moulding
- Oil for frying
- Ingredients for Chicken Tikka
- 250 gms boneless chicken pieces
- 1/2 cups Greek yoghurt
- 2 tbsp Fresh cream
- 2 tbsp mayonnaise
- 1/4 tsp pepper powder
- 1/2 tsp Red Chilli Powder
- salt to taste
- 1/2 tsp cumin powder
- 1/2 tsp Garam masala powder
- 1/2 tbsp Ginger-Garlic Paste
- 1 tsp crushed Kasuri methi
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1/2 tsp Turmeric Powder
- 1 tbsp edible oil
- 1/4 tsp red food colour
- INGREDIENTS for Guacamole
- 1 medium ripe medium ripe avocado halved and pitted
- 1/2 finely chopped white onion
- 1 sprig finely chopped fresh cilantro
- 1 small jalapeño chopped finely
- 1 tsp lime juice
- 1 teaspoon salt to taste
- Method for Plantain Baskets
- Start by peeling the plantains, then cut them into 1-inch slices. Fry the slices in plenty of hot oil until they are lightly browned.
- Remove plantains from the oil and use a heavy bowl to crush them (be careful not to break them apart).
- I took a terracotta diya or lamp and pressed each plantain slice into it and formed a basket shape. Remove and mould all the baskets. Then re-fry until golden brown and set aside.
- Method for Tikka
- Firstly, wash the boneless chicken and pat dry and place in a bowl.
- Add salt to taste, red chilli powder, ginger-garlic paste, pepper powder and juice of one lime. Smear the chicken pieces nicely and keep aside.
- In another bigger bowl, add the Greek yoghurt, cumin, coriander, garam masala powder, Kasuri methi, turmeric, food colour, cream, fresh coriander, oil and make a smooth silky marinade.
- Add the boneless chicken pieces and coat them nicely so that they drown in this rich marinade. Give a mix. Cover the marinated chicken and set aside for 4 hours.
- Instead of grilling the chicken in the oven, I just pan-fried them
- Take a non-stick pan, add 2 tbsp. oil and heat it. Place the marinated chicken on the pan and grill till nicely roasted on all sides. Remove and set aside.
- Method for Guacamole
- I’m sharing a guacamole recipe that I learnt from my Mexican Samdhan.
- To prepare the avocado, simply scoop the avocado flesh into your bowl with a spoon. This is a lot easier than dicing it. Diced avocado pieces are slippery.
- If you have a gorgeous red summer tomato, you can chop and use it but my recipe doesn’t call for tomato. I also skipped the garlic, because I added it in the Tikka marinade.
- I also added 1/4 teaspoon ground coriander, which offers the irresistibility factor. Coriander is a little trick that I learned from Sylvie. Using a fork, mash up the avocado until it reaches your desired texture quickly add the onion, jalapeño, lime juice, coriander, and salt. Stir to combine.
- Assembling
- Now that all your components are ready, it is time to assemble the hors de oeuvres. Take the baskets. Place a dollop of avocado in each fried plantain basket, then top with a chicken tikka and a sprinkle of crushed red and pepper.
- Your Plantain Baskets Topped with Guacamole & Chicken Tikka hors d'oeuvres are ready to be served. A fusion of Mexican and Indian Cuisine just like my son, an Indian married a Mexican girl!
This looks like delicious meal. The recipe is quick and easy to follow steps. Would love to try
Thanks Bushra. I just keep trying new stuff.
I will ask my SIL to try this, as I am vegetarian.
Why? U can make paneer tikka instead of chicken. 🙂
I think I am just going to invite myself to your home so that you can feed these yummy dishes to me. #myepicareads #MyFriendAlexa
You are most welcome Pratibha. I love feeding people and I have no one.