Though curry powder is available in most supermarkets, we recommend toasting and grinding your own spices to add depth and complexity to curries. This particular combination of spices, which includes cardamon and cinnamon, gives a mild heat and rich fragrance to the dish. You can adjust the spices to suit your taste.
Serves: 4
Ingredients:
- 2 1/2 teaspoons coriander seeds
- 2 teaspoons cumin seeds
- 1/8 teaspoon crushed red-pepper flakes
- 1/2 teaspoon turmeric
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- Pinch of ground cloves
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 2 whole boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 2-inch pieces
- 2 tablespoons peanut oil
- 2 tablespoons fresh ginger, minced
- 1 large clove garlic, minced
- 3 medium onions, halved and thinly sliced
- 2 whole cinnamon sticks, about 3-inches long
- 1 bay leaf
- 3 cardamom pods
- 4 cups whole canned tomatoes, peeled and seeded with juices
- 1 1/2 cups homemade or canned low-sodium chicken stock
- 1/4 cup plain yogurt
- 3/4 cup golden raisins, roughly chopped
- 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
- Pappadams, for serving
- Cooked basmati rice, for serving
- Chopped cashews, for garnish
- Prepared mango chutney, for garnish
1. In a dry skillet over medium heat, toast coriander and cumin seeds until fragrant, 1 to 2 minutes. Transfer to spice grinder, add crushed red-pepper flakes, and grind to a powder. Place in a small bowl, and add turmeric, ginger, cloves, salt, and black pepper. Add chicken, and toss to coat.
2. Heat peanut oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add chicken, cooking until browned, 3 to 5 minutes. Remove chicken. Set aside.
3. Reduce heat, and add ginger, garlic, and onions. Cook until softened and deep-brown in color, 8 to 10 minutes. Add cinnamon sticks, bay leaf, and cardamom pods; cook for 10 minutes. Add tomatoes, chicken stock, and cooked chicken. Raise heat to medium high, and cook until liquid is reduced, about 15 minutes. Meanwhile, toast pappadams. Reduce heat to low, and stir in yogurt and raisins. Cook until warmed throughout; add cilantro. Serve with basmati rice, and garnish with cashews. Accompany curry with pappadams and chutney.
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