I see Indian food in three ways, carbs, coconut milk, and tomato-based. I try to avoid the first two. However, two of my favorite dishes, Biryani (rice) and Korma (a curry with coconut milk), are in the first two categories. Many curries contain coconut milk, which are much higher calorie, as well as served over rice. Its very simple to find healthier Indian food choices, especially if you stick to Tandoor options (basically baked in an oven, no sauce) or tomato-based curries. Patak makes a bunch of bottled curries, and if you are in a rush, they are the closest you can get to the real thing. Here’s my favorite way to enjoy the Patak Rogan Josh curry with chicken and mushrooms. Rogan Josh reminds me a lot of Bhuna, another tomato- based treat.
This recipe is about 250 calories a serving and makes 3 servings (Hey, it’s easier that way since there’s 3 servings in the bottle of sauce!) You can also use frozen veggies that you drain, but they might be a little bit mushy. Mushy veggies remind me of high school cafeterias, which remind me of spicy curly fries. Oh how I love spicy curly fries. Where was I again?
Ingredients:
- 1 bottle of Rogan Josh sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon curry powder (or more to taste)
- 1/2 teaspoon of red chili powder (or more or less to taste)
- Olive oil Pam
- 1 pound diced raw chicken breast (I did about 1 inch cubes)
- 1 cup mushrooms, or a bunch of your favorite veggie either blanched or quickly thrown over some heat in a pan so they are slightly cooked
Mmm look at that simmerage. I can smell the spices from here. Oh by the way, totally not date food. I think I scared Rico out of the apartment with my breath. And everyone in the laundry room. And the building. However, the delicious mushrooms added plenty of low cal bulk and I’m way full.
Heat up a deep saucepan and spray with Pam. Throw in the cubed chicken and brown for about 5 minutes. Toss in your cooked veggies and give it a good stir. Pour in the bottle of Rogan Josh sauce and let simmer for 15 minutes without boiling too strongly. Stir every so often. Check that the chicken is cooked through, serve and enjoy!
This is a small digression, but there is this girl who goes to the gym at 5:30 in the morning with me and feels the need to sing on the treadmill. Who, in their right mind, thinks it’s F&(*&(*^)(*^ acceptable to F*&)*(&)( sing on the TREADMILL? IN PUBLIC?? Plus, I heard her on her phone in the elevator yesterday telling her friend she had a great recipe for chicken in the microwave. There is NO REASON to ever microwave chicken unless it’s leftovers or a frozen dinner. NEVER. And leftovers are even a stretch. I think from now on you should have to sign a waiver to read my blog that states that you do not microwave raw meat.
