1To begin making the Butter Chicken, first prepare the marinade for the chicken pieces by mixing together the mentioned ingredients.

Wash the chicken thoroughly and drain all water. Cut into desired size chunks. Rub the lemon juice and 1 tsp ginger garlic paste on all pieces.

Keep aside for about 15 minutes. Then squeeze all pieces well (not too hard) and transfer to another bowl.

Marinate the pieces with the prepared mixture and keep aside for about an hour.

In the meantime soak the cashews and magaz seeds in hot water for about an hour.

Drain and grind to a smooth paste.

Heat sufficient water in a pan for blanching the tomatoes. At the smooth end of the tomatoes make a small cross sign with a knife. This helps easy peeling after blanching. When the water is hot, add the tomatoes and immerse for approximately 4-5 minutes.

Remove from the hot water onto a plate. The peels at the end where the cross sign was made will start coming off. Peel the tomatoes and grind to a puree.

Grind the onion to a smooth paste.

In a kadhai, heat oil. Add butter and heat. Now add the whole spices. When they splutter add the onion paste and cook.

Cook till it changes colour. Now add the ginger garlic paste and saute.

Add the tomato puree and mix. Bring to a boil and cook. Add the spice powders and salt.

When the tomatoes are cooked add the cashew magaz paste and mix well. Cook for a while. Add sugar and some water to bring the gravy to a medium consistency. Check seasoning.

On a hot griddle spread the kasuri methi for about a minute. Crush it with fingers and then add to the gravy. Turn off the heat and keep aside.

Heat a pan. Add the oil and butter. When hot add the chicken pieces and shallow fry on both sides till done and a bit charred.

At the same time when frying the chicken, heat a piece of coal on open flame till the red ambers are seen.

Place a small bowl at the centre of the pan in which the tandoor pieces are kept and place the hot red coal in it. Pour a few drops of oil on the coal and immediately shut the pan with a lid. Place a heavy weight over it. Keep covered for about 2 minutes.

Open the lid and remove the charcoal. This process imparts to the chicken pieces a smoked tandoor flavour.

Either shred these pieces or add them to the prepared gravy as it is and bring to a boil. Check seasoning and spices. Add any if desired. Adjust the consistency by adding some water if required.

Turn off the heat and add the cream and mix well.

Serve the absolutely delicious Murg Makhani with khastaa paratha and some Biryani Rice.