I have a feeling I’m never going to regret the day I impulsively ordered some Garam Masala online (because I can’t be bothered to go to a grocery store more than .15 miles away).
I was originally planning to do a slow cooker version of this dish, but it’s kind of one of those where there’s really actually no point of using a slow cooker. And our slow cooker is up on a really high shelf….
I really wanted some Naan with my Indian, but that was nowhere to be found in our neighborhood grocery store either! The nerve. We subbed mini whole wheat pitas which turned out to be awesome because they’re only 80 calories, and they’ll be good for snacks later.
Low Fat Chicken Tikka Masala (via Skinny Taste)
Servings: 4 • Size: 3 oz chicken + sauce • Calories: 190.4 • Fat: 4.5 g • Carb: 12.8 g • Fiber: 2.0 g • Protein: 24.5 g • Sugar: 5.1 Sodium: 99.3 (without salt)
Ingredients:
- 2 tsp canola oil or you could use butter
- 1 small onion, minced
- 1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated
- 3 cloves garlic, crushed
- 1 1/2 cups crushed tomatoes
- 4 oz fat free yogurt (I used Chobani)
- 1/2 cup 1% milk
- 1 tbsp cumin
- 1 tbsp garam masala
- 1 tsp turmeric (optional)
- 1/2 tbsp chili powder
- salt to taste
- 16 oz (2 boneless) chicken breasts, cut into bite sized pieces
- 4 tbsp fresh cilantro (or to taste)
Directions:
Heat oil in a large heavy skillet over medium heat. Add the onions and cook until golden. Add the crushed ginger, stir for a few minutes then add the garlic and cook another minute. Add cumin, garam masala, turmeric, chili powder, and salt; mix well until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Stir in tomatoes, yogurt and milk. Simmer on low heat until sauce thickens, about 10 minutes. Add chicken and simmer for 10 – 15 minutes or until cooked through. Add a generous amount of chopped cilantro and serve with Bamati Rice or Naan.
I’ll admit that every time I took a bit, I was expecting the dish I always order at our favorite Denver Indian restaurant. My rendition was delicious and an awesome weeknight, but no competition for India’s Kitchen! P.S. I added cayenne pepper and even more cumin and garam masla than the recipe calls for. We like it spicy!
Earlier…
Yesterday was double snack kinda afternoon.
Chocolate. A totally weird thing for me to eat in the afternoon. But I chose it over a bag of chips? Probably a good choice, right? But a very surprising choice!
Strawberry Mint Greek yogurt…. every bite tasted like strawberry with mint toothpaste aftertaste. Totally weird, right? Yeah, I won’t be buying that flavor again. But I can’t resist trying then.
This rowing workout in Shape magazine inspired me to mix up my cardio. I read over the article and looked at the pictures of proper form, but I was still totally clueless when I tried it out.
I convinced Kevin to try it with me. At 5:30PM. I always choose to do things that make me look ridiculous during peak gym hours! We couldn’t even get a parking spot it was so busy. We probably had to park a quarter of a mile away! I know it sounds ridiculous to complain about having to walk into a gym, but it was cold. And I always leave the gym dripping with sweat. That is FREEZING in the winter. Haha.
So I didn’t really actually end up completing the workout… I was just trying to figure out what I was doing. I eventually got a good rhythm, but by then it was time to go watch Jeopardy! I just took a picture of my stats – although I have no clue what they mean – so when I got this thing figured out, I can look back and laugh. For now, I’m going to get some tips from my mom (she’s a REAL outdoor rower!) and watch some YouTube videos.
We shared a Junami apple while we prepped for dinner. Any dish including chicken means Kevin has to work too since I hate touching it or having any part of cutting it when it’s raw. Prissy.
Have you tried Junami apples? What’s your favorite apple? This was our first time trying them. Impulse buy. We liked it!! We also like Pink Ladies and this other tart one that I can’t remember the name of.
Have you tried rowing? I rowed outdoors with my mom’s friends once, but this was my first time trying it in the gym. My hands kinda hurt. Am I supposed to wear gloves or something?
Rowing is SUPER good for you…I did a year of crew/rowing in highschool and it is an amazing working. Great for the core! I can’t remember what any of the workouts were though. May want to get back into it now!
I want to try the rowing machine super bad. I need to..I see it on the biggest loser all the time..and now on your blog. I will try it soon!
I love chicken tikka masala! So delicious! And naan is wonderful! You should try making it homemade next time. It’s super simple and SO good!
My favorite apples are fuji and honey crisp. I eat one every single day (sometimes two!). And I would have totally bought that yogurt if I saw it at the store too- bummer that it wasn’t good!
I love/hate the rowing machine. I switch my grip from overhand to underhand every two minutes so that my biceps get a workout too. I row pretty fast and maximize each stroke (something my trainer taught me) and it really gets my heart rate up. I try to do at least 200 meters per minute (on the highest level) because I like to have a goal in mind.
I gotta say too- its much easier to row when you have someone next to you rowing along that you can talk to.
I didn’t know you could switch grips! That totally makes sense!! Thanks for the tips!! Yay!! I really appreciate it.
Wow!! That recipe made me drool. And the rowing machine is my favorite because no one ever uses it!!! No waiting in line. I can’t wait to be a member at a gym that has one.
I get hungry every time I come to your blog. That tikka masala looks delish!
I love chocolate in the afternoon. A perfect pick me up, especially if you are doing an late arvo/ evening run. But then I am addicted to candy… so who knows…
Pink ladies are my favourite apple for sure. But only if they are crisp and fresh… powdery ones… no no…
I LOVE rowing, for some reason it is so fun to me. I guess just the movement, something other than cardio with your legs I guess maybe too. It has been forever though!
And I am so proud of you with all these new recipes, you are inspiring me to get over my lazy cooking rut.
Oh gosh. I HATE erging. I had to do a million erg tests when I rowed in college. It was AWFUL. I seriously cannot even look at that machine without wanting to cry! I lovelovelove trying new types of apples junami sounds amazing! I will have to keep my eye out for them!
Tikka masala is probaby my favorite Indian dish. So tasty.
Nice job on the row workout. I wish my gym had a rowing machine…
If you go to http://www.concept2.com/us/training/technique.asp you can watch some video on who to use the rowing machine correctly. Most people at our gym use it wrong. They tend to be pulling from the catch with there arms. To start you want to focusing on technique — the basics of the stroke will help:
leg drive, back, and arms –
On the drive:
Leg drive — explode with strong leg drive at the catch.
the catch being very quick,snappy, and precise.
During the leg drive — arms stay straight and body
angle forward — stay with forward tilt.
Back — After leg drive is done, swing back open using body weight,
with arms still straight.
Arms — when back gets to slight tilt at backward angle, pull in with the arms.
Recovery: is reverse of above –
Arms — away from body first
Back — move upper body to forward tilt toward the erg.
Legs — slow and controlled up the slide till fully compressed
and get to final position forward for the catch.
Work at your technique before you start going for times. Yes you need to work up slowly ,. I wear my weight gloves to keep down the blisters. It is a great work out. I did 8849 meters today in 45 min. which was a 2:36 pace working on getting the spm down and keeping a hard drive.
It’s a great workout. Keep at it. You come by this love to exercise naturally
Thanks mom!
A new apple variety for me to try! Still working through honey crisps!
Good for you for trying the rowing machine. I avoid it because anyone using it looks like they are in pain (back pain). I’m afraid that having my feet strapped in and picking up momentum will somehow fling me forward and my feet will stay behind. Silly, I know.
hellooooo chicken tikka masala! my favorite! i stay away from indian buffets because i easily down multiple (full) plates of CTM. it’s like crack. i’ll have to try your skinny version though! does that mean 2 plates of skinny = 1 plate of buffet? i’m down with that math.
Yum! I love Indian food dearly, especially naan. Man, I always feel like my form on a rowing machine is wrong, too. Maybe I should just suck it up and hope that I’m doing it right. I need a new form of cardio for days I don’t feel like running.
You should try it!! I would start with just 10 minutes to take it easy on your hands!! I think I would’ve blistered if I would’ve gone much longer.
Rowing.kicks.my.butt. I honestly can’t do it for more then 5 minutes before I am completely out of breath. Amazing workout though! PS – is it odd that your gym has carpet??
Our gym just looks weird, period. Lol. I think we’re going to switch when our 3 months are up. But it’s hard to give up because it’s so dang close to our apartment.
Looks delicious
Great job on the rower…
Cheers