Country Captain with Cauliflower and Peas
A flavorful Indian-inspired curry dish combining tender chicken thighs with cauliflower, peas, and a rich blend of whole spices. The addition of dried cherries and peanut butter creates a unique sweet and savory sauce, finished with toasted coconut shavings.
Ingredients
- •1½ teaspoons coriander seeds
- •1 teaspoon fennel seeds
- •1 teaspoon cumin seeds
- •½ teaspoon whole black peppercorns
- •3 whole cloves
- •¼ teaspoon cardamom seeds
- •1½ inch cinnamon stick
- •½ teaspoon turmeric
- •¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- •5 tablespoons peanut oil
- •1 head cauliflower
- •1 to taste kosher salt
- •2 pounds chicken thighs
- •1 bunch green onions
- •1 tablespoon ginger
- •2 cloves garlic
- •1½ cups chicken broth
- •1⅔ cups crushed tomatoes
- •⅓ cup dried cherries
- •1 tablespoon peanut butter
- •1½ cups frozen peas
- •⅓ cup coconut shavings
- •lightly toasted
Cooking Instructions
- 1.
Place coriander seeds, fennel seeds, cumin seeds, black peppercorns, cloves, cardamom seeds, and cinnamon stick in small dry skillet. Stir over medium heat until fragrant and slightly darker in color, 5 to 6 minutes. Remove from heat; cool. Finely grind spices in spice mill or in mortar with pestle. Transfer to small bowl; add turmeric and cayenne.
6 min
- 2.
Heat 3 tablespoons oil in heavy large deep pot over medium-high heat. Add cauliflower florets; sprinkle with coarse kosher salt and sauté until beginning to soften and brown in spots, 6 to 7 minutes. Transfer to medium bowl.
7 min
- 3.
Add remaining 2 tablespoons oil and half of chicken to same pot; sprinkle with coarse kosher salt and sauté until chicken is light brown on all sides, about 6 minutes. Transfer chicken to large bowl. Repeat with remaining chicken.
12 min
- 4.
Add white parts of green onions, finely grated ginger, and minced garlic to same pot; reduce heat to medium and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add ground spice mixture; stir 15 seconds. Stir in 1 1/2 cups chicken broth and bring to boil, scraping up any browned bits. Add crushed tomatoes; reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer 15 minutes. Stir in dried cherries and peanut butter; return chicken and any accumulated juices to pot. Cover and simmer 10 minutes. Add sautéed cauliflower to pot; cover and simmer until chicken is cooked through and cauliflower is tender, adding more chicken broth by 1/4 cupfuls if mixture is dry, about 10 minutes longer. Season with coarse salt and pepper. DO AHEAD: Can be made 1 day ahead. Cool slightly. Chill uncovered until cold, then cover and keep refrigerated. Rewarm over medium heat before continuing.
35 min
- 5.
Add frozen peas to stew and simmer until heated through, about 5 minutes. Ladle stew into bowls. Sprinkle each serving with green onion tops and toasted coconut shavings and serve.
5 min
- 6.
Strips of unsweetened coconut (also called coconut chips); available at some supermarkets and at many natural foods stores and from melissas.com.
