Happy Indian Republic Day! Today marks the day that the first Constitution was adopted by a free India in 1950. It is obviously a huge occasion in India and although we don’t live there, we like to celebrate it in our own way, with food. Now, as you probably know by now, we love to put our twist on foods that we already love – to change things up, to make them even better or sometimes – let’s be real here – because we’re trying to finish certain ingredients lurking in our fridge and cupboards. (Waste not, want not!)

Yesterday, whilst reorganising our kitchen we rediscovered a bag of coconut chips from last autumn and a ripe avocado we had bought a few days ago. It’s sort of an odd combination but we realised that we love chicken with both foods and so we decided to experiment. And it turned out pretty awesome. Each ingredient has its own sweetness of flavour without overpowering the others and each has its own texture which keeps things interesting. And when you add a crispy version of our paratha, it makes a fabulous quick lunch – very similar to the soft tacos you buy from food trucks here in London but with an Indian-twist!

Makes 2 tacos

2 boneless chicken thighs, sliced into strips
butter for frying (we used leftover duck fat)
1 avocado
salt and pepper to taste
1 tsp lemon juice
a handful of coconut chips
a handful of sliced almonds
2 parathas using our halved paratha recipe (minus the filling)

1. Add 1-2 tsp of butter to a frying pan. When hot, add the chicken strips and cook on medium-heat, turning occasionally until done. This should take about 10-15 minutes. Set aside on a plate lined with kitchen paper.
2. Mash the avocado roughly using a fork and season with salt, pepper and lemon juice. Set aside.
3. Assemble the tacos by first spreading half of the mashed avocado on each paratha.
4. Then sprinkle the sliced almonds, followed by half of the chicken strips on each paratha.
5. Finally, sprinkle coconut chips on each paratha.
6. Enjoy immediately and imagine you are in a tropical country and not in stormy London. Or enjoy the next day for a non-boring work lunch!

So what do you think? Feel free to share your questions and comments below! We’d love to hear what you have to say.