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SPAM Tikka Masala

A classic Tikka Masala but with SPAM!
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

For the Marinade
  • 1 can SPAM
  • ½ cup greek yogurt
  • 1 teaspoon red chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon garam masala
  • ¼ teaspoon turmeric
  • 1 teaspoon coriander powder
  • ½ teaspoon cumin powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon fenugreek leaves
  • 1 tablespoon ginger garlic paste
  • 1 tablespoon oil
For the Gravy
  • 3 tablespoons oil
  • ½ teaspoon cumin powder
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 2 black cardamom pods
  • 3 cloves
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • 3 medium onions chopped
  • 2 teaspoons ginger garlic paste
  • a pinch of salt
  • 1 ½ teaspoon coriander powder
  • 1 tablespoon red chili powder
  • ¼ teaspoon turmeric
  • ½ teaspoon fenugreek leaves
  • ⅓ cup whole cashews
  • ⅓ cup water
  • ½ teaspoon garam masala
  • 14 ounces tomato puree (1 can)
  • cilantro for garnish

Method
 

Make Ginger Garlic Paste
  1. To make ginger garlic paste, blend together a little bit of oil and equal parts ginger and garlic.
Make the Marinade
  1. In a medium bowl, Mix together red chili powder, garam masala, cumin powder, coriander powder, turmeric, salt, oil, ginger garlic paste, yogurt, and fenugreek leaves.
  2. Slice the SPAM into whichever shape you want. I did the classic slice.
  3. Put the SPAM in the mixture and let it marinate. Since the meat is just SPAM, marinate for at least one hour. If using a raw meat, marinate for at least 8 hours.
Make the Gravy
  1. Create cashew paste by blending together 1/3 cup whole cashews and 1/3 water.
  2. In a pan, heat some oil. Toss in bay leaves, cinnamon stick, cardamom pods, and cloves. Stir constantly so the herbs brown but do not burn
  3. Add chopped onions and a pinch of salt. Fry until the onions brown slightly. Then add the ginger garlic paste, cumin powder, coriander powder, red chili powder, garam masala, turmeric and fenugreek leaves. Continue frying while constantly stirring. You will end up with a dry onion mixture
  4. Add the tomato puree and cashew paste and stir until one color. Let the sauce simmer for at least 15 minutes while you bake the SPAM.
Bake the SPAM
  1. Preheat your oven or toaster over to 435° F. While the gravy is simmering, lay your marinated SPAM slices on a foil-lined tray.
  2. Bake for 12 minutes, flipping halfway
  3. When done baking, drop the SPAM slices into the curry and mix.
  4. Plate with rice and garnish with cilantro. Enjoy!