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Jan. 30, 1969: The Beatles’ Final Bow.
Today marks a pivotal moment in music history – the 54th anniversary of the Beatles’ final public concert. On Jan. 30, 1969, John, Paul, George and Ringo took to the rooftop of Apple Records in London, treating unsuspecting passersby to an impromptu performance.
The 42-minute concert, filmed for the documentary “Let It Be,” featured hits like “Get Back,” “Don’t Let Me Down” and “One After 909.” As police arrived to shut down the show due to noise complaints, John Lennon famously quipped, “I’d like to say thank you on behalf of the group and ourselves, and I hope we passed the audition.”
To celebrate this iconic event, let’s dive into the Beatles’ love affair with Indian cuisine, inspired by George Harrison’s fascination with Eastern spirituality and music.
Recipe: “Lucy in the Sky with Spices” Chicken Tikka Masala.
George Harrison’s friendship with Ravi Shankar introduced him to Indian classical music. This dish, a British-Indian fusion favorite, pays tribute to the Beatles’ eclectic tastes.
Ingredients for the chicken
- 1½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breast or thighs.
- ½ cup plain yogurt.
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice.
- 2 tablespoons ghee or vegetable oil.
- 2 teaspoons garam masala.
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin.
- ½ teaspoon ground coriander.
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional).
- Salt and pepper, to taste.
For the sauce
- 2 tablespoons butter.
- 2 onions, diced.
- 2 cloves garlic, minced.
- 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes.
- 1 cup chicken broth.
- 1/2 cup heavy cream.
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste.
- 2 teaspoons garam masala.
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin.
- Salt and pepper, to taste.
- Fresh cilantro, for garnish.
Preparation
- In a large bowl, whisk together yogurt, lemon juice, ghee, garam masala, cumin, coriander, cayenne pepper (if using), salt and pepper.
- Add the chicken and marinate for at least 30 minutes or up to 2 hours.
- Preheat grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. Remove chicken from marinade, letting excess liquid drip off. Cook until browned and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes per side.
- In a large saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add onions and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
- Add garlic and cook for 1 minute.
- Stir in diced tomatoes, chicken broth, heavy cream, tomato paste, garam masala, cumin, salt and pepper. Bring to a simmer.
- Reduce heat to low and then let the sauce simmer for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Add cooked chicken to the sauce and stir to coat.
- Serve over basmati rice, garnished with cilantro.
Tasting notes
This Chicken Tikka Masala is a symphony of flavors. The creamy sauce, infused with warm spices, harmonizes perfectly with the tender chicken.
Beatles trivia
- The Beatles’ rooftop concert was initially intended to be a live performance for the Let It Be film.
- George Harrison’s song “The Inner Light” (1968) was inspired by his interest in Eastern spirituality and features Indian classical instrumentation.
Celebrate the Beatles’ legacy with every bite of “Lucy in the Sky with Spices” Chicken Tikka Masala.
As John Lennon would say, “Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans” – but today, make plans to indulge in this delicious dish.
Barry Cohen welcomes your thoughts, suggestions and feedback. For recipes or questions, email him at barrycohen210@gmail.com.