Creamy chicken korma with almonds

5-6 garlic cloves, peeled and coarsely chopped

1 inch piece of fresh ginger, peeled and chopped

50g blanched, slivered almonds

5 tbsp olive or canola oil

2 bay leaves

8 cardamom pods

4 garlic cloves

1 cinnamon stick

1 medium onion, peeled and finely chopped

1 tbsp ground cumin

1 tbsp ground coriander

¼ tsp cayenne pepper

1 tbsp tomato purée

1.5 kg chicken pieces, skinned and cut into serving portions

1¼ tsp salt

3 tbsp single cream

½ tbsp garam masala