This is a multi-part recipe featuring a flavorful crocodile curry, homemade naan bread, and a refreshing Indian salad with tomato and mint dressing. This culinary creation draws inspiration from both Northern Indian cuisine and Nagi’s recipes.

This recipe consist of 3 main parts:

• The butter crocodile curry
• The naan bread
• The Indian salad with tomato and mint sauce

All off the above components I got from Nagi’s blog called RecipeTinEats.

Butter Crocodile Curry

Butter chicken, also known as Murgh Makhani, is a beloved dish that originates from Northern India, particularly Punjab. This culinary gem stands out for its relatively mild and creamy character, distinguishing it from the bolder and spicier Indian curries that have gained popularity worldwide.

The history of butter chicken traces back to the vibrant streets of Delhi, where it was first created in the 1950s. Legend has it that the dish was a delicious accident, born out of the desire to transform leftover tandoori chicken into a delectable new creation. The chefs ingeniously simmered the chicken in a rich tomato and butter sauce, giving rise to what we now know as butter chicken.

In our crocodile version of this classic, the tender meat is marinated in a fragrant mixture of yogurt, spices, and citrus for a delightful flavor infusion. Then, it’s grilled to perfection before being incorporated into the creamy tomato-based gravy.

Nagi of RecipeTinEats adapted this recipe from Luke Mangan, a renowned Australian chef and restaurateur, and, except for replacing the chicken with crocodile, I made some further adaptations.

Marinade Ingredients

• 700g crocodile tail, 1½cm slices
• 125ml plain yogurt
• Juice of ½ lemon
• Zest of ½ lemon, grated
• 2 tsp garam masala
• 1 tsp chili powder
• 1 tsp cumin seeds
• 12g fresh ginger, grated
• 6g fresh turmeric, grated
• 4 cloves garlic, crushed

Curry Ingredients

• 30g ghee
• 250ml tomato passata
• 250ml heavy/double cream
• 1 Tbsp sugar
• 1¼ tsp salt
• ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper
• Fresh coriander for garnish

Instructions

Roast the cumin seeds in a dry pan until fragrant.

In a small bowl, combine the marinade ingredients (yogurt, turmeric, black pepper, lemon juice, grated lemon zest, garam masala, chili powder, cumin seeds, ginger, and garlic).

Rub the marinade evenly over the crocodile meat, covering the entire surface. Cover and refrigerate for at least 24 hours.

Remove the marinated crocodile from the fridge and let it come to room temperature.

Heat the ghee in a large frying pan over high heat.

Remove the crocodile from the marinade, allowing excess marinade to cling to it (do not pour the remaining marinade from the bowl into the frying pan). Place the crocodile in the frying pan and cook for approximately 3 minutes, or until the crocodile turns white all over (it won’t brown significantly due to the marinade).

Add tomato passata, heavy cream, sugar, salt, pepper, and any remaining marinade left in the bowl.

Turn down the heat to low, cover and simmer for 30 minutes, turning the meat halfway. Adjust salt to taste.

Garnish with fresh coriander just before serving.

Naan Bread

Naan bread is a soft and fluffy leavened flatbread that originates from South Asia. This versatile and popular bread is known for its deliciously chewy texture and slightly charred, bubbly surface. It’s typically made from a simple mixture of flour, yeast, yogurt or milk, and a pinch of salt. Naan is traditionally cooked in a tandoor, a clay oven, which imparts a distinctive smoky flavor and creates those characteristic bubbles.

Naan can be enjoyed plain, brushed with ghee or butter, or sprinkled with various toppings like garlic, sesame seeds, or fresh herbs. It pairs wonderfully with a wide range of dishes, from curries to kebabs, and is perfect for scooping up sauces and dips. Its popularity has spread worldwide, making it a beloved accompaniment to many international cuisines.

Ingredients

• 1 tsp instant yeast
• 125ml lukewarm water
• 1 Tbsp white sugar
• 2 Tbsp full-fat milk
• 1½ Tbsp whisked egg (at room temperature)
• ½ tsp salt
• 450ml bread flour
• 30g ghee, melted
• 60g ghee, melted (for finishing)
• 1 Tbsp cumin seeds (for finishing)

Instructions

Roast the cumin seeds in a dry pan until fragrant, then set aside.

In a small bowl, mix yeast with warm water and sugar. Cover with cling wrap and let it sit for 10 minutes until foamy.

Whisk milk and egg together.

Sift flour and salt into a separate bowl.

Make a well in the flour, add yeast mixture, butter, and egg mixture. Mix together to form a ball.

Cover the bowl with cling wrap and leave it in a warm place for 1 – 1½ hours until it doubles in size.

Divide the dough into 6 equal pieces and shape them into balls.

Place balls on a lightly-floured tray or plate, then cover loosely with a lightweight tea towel. Let them rise for 15 minutes until they increase in size by about 50%.

Roll out each ball into 3 – 4mm thick rounds (about 16cm wide).

Heat a cast-iron skillet over high heat until you see wisps of smoke.

Cook each naan for 1 to 1½ minutes on each side until bubbly and golden.

Brush freshly cooked naan with melted ghee and sprinkle with roasted cumin seeds.

Indian Salad with Tomato and Mint Dressing

The Indian salad with tomato and mint sauce is a vibrant and refreshing dish that perfectly complements the rich and flavorful flavors of Indian cuisine. This salad features ripe, juicy tomatoes, sliced into rounds, and thinly sliced red onions. What makes it truly special is the aromatic and zesty mint dressing that ties everything together.

Salad Ingredients

• 3 large ripe tomatoes, sliced into rounds
• ¼ red onion, very thinly sliced
• ⅛ tsp garam masala

Raita Mint Dressing Ingredients

• 250ml plain yogurt
• 500ml mint leaves
• Juice of ½ lemon
• Zest of ½ lemon, grated
• ¼ tsp salt

Instructions

Blitz the dressing ingredients in a food processor until it becomes a smooth, bright green sauce.

Place sliced tomatoes in a bowl. Sprinkle with a pinch of salt and mix. Let them rest for 10 minutes.

Drain the tomatoes, mix them with the thinly sliced red onion in a serving bowl.

Bringing it All Together

Serve the salad with the warm naan and curry. Pour some of the dressing over the salad and add a pinch of garam masala on top. Don’t forget to add fresh coriander on top of the curry. Enjoy!

We enjoyed this with a 2021 Badsberg Chardonnay / Colombar Generaal Smuts.

The Chardonnay/Colombar was awarded best Wine at the 2021 SA Young Wine Show. Fermented in oak barrels and matured on lees for 6 months. This wine has the perfect balance between rich butterscotch and tropical flavours with a hint of citrus and soft oak tannins.

— From Badsberg website