Kasturi Boti
A home-style recipe for Kasturi Boti. Serves 4, ready in about 30 minutes, with steps for the usual way and for the air fryer.
Ingredients
- 750 g boneless chicken, in 4 cm cubes
- ¼ cup cream
- ¼ cup (60 g) thick yogurt
- 2 tbsp dried fenugreek leaves (kasuri methi), crushed between your palms / a handful of fresh methi leaves, finely chopped
- 1 tbsp ginger-garlic paste
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp red chilli powder
- ½ tsp cumin powder
- ½ tsp garam masala
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 2 tbsp oil, plus more for basting
Missing something?
- No chicken? Use mutton or beef (cook longer), or soya chunks.
- No cream? Use milk with a little butter, simmered to thicken (lighter).
- No yogurt? Use milk with 1 tsp lemon juice, rested 10 minutes.
- No fenugreek leaves (methi)? Use palak, or 1 tbsp dried kasuri methi.
On the grill
- Mix the cream, yogurt, methi, ginger-garlic paste, salt, chilli, cumin, garam masala, pepper, lemon juice and oil. Add the chicken and mix well. If you have time, leave it for 2 hours, or overnight in the fridge; if not, cook it right away.
- Thread the chicken onto skewers, keeping the leftover marinade.
- Grill over medium coals for 12–15 minutes, turning, until cooked through and golden in spots. Brush with the leftover marinade only in the first half of the cooking, then with a little oil only.
- No grill? Bake at 220°C for 15–18 minutes, turning once. Or cook in a frying pan with 2 tbsp oil, covered, on medium heat for 10 minutes, then uncovered until golden.
Tip: For a smoky taste, put a hot piece of charcoal in a small foil cup with the cooked boti, add a drop of oil to it and cover for 2 minutes.
In the air fryer (about 40 min)
- Marinate chicken in yogurt, cream and crushed kasuri methi with spices.
- Air fry at 200°C for 12 to 14 minutes, turning halfway, until tender.
Air fryer tip: Use short skewers that fit inside the basket, or cook the pieces without skewers.
Air fryer basics: Heat the air fryer for 3 to 5 minutes first. Don't fill the basket more than halfway. Brush or spray a little oil. Turn or shake halfway. Use paper liners with holes. Air fryers vary, so check a few minutes early the first time.