This is a classic curry recipe – we always prefer using chicken on the bone for best results but can be substituted for boneless meat. To make a richer curry, replace the yogurt with heavy cream or coconut milk. Alternately using coconut oil instead of ghee imparts a slightly sweeter taste to the curry. Serve with rice, rotis or bread.
ingredients
1/4 cup ghee
1/2 teaspoon whole mace
1/2 teaspoon cloves
1/2 teaspoon cardamom pods
1/2 teaspoon black peppercorns
1 1/2 cup minced onions (white or yellow)
10-12 kari leaves
1 tablespoon minced garlic
2 whole bone-in chicken legs
1 teaspoon ground turmeric
1 teaspoon ground cumin
2 teaspoons crushed coriander seeds
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 1/2 teaspoons sea salt
1/2 cup canned crushed tomatoes (or 1 cup fresh)
1 to 2 cups of vegetables (mix of carrots, potatoes, turnips, parsnips or vegetables)
2 tablespoons ginger puree
1 cup plain whole-milk yogurt
2 tablespoons chopped cilantro for garnish
Serves 3-4
instructions
In a mortar and pestle, crush the mace, cloves, cardamom and peppercorns so they are in smaller pieces but not ground. Discard the skin of the chicken legs and cut each one into two pieces.
In a large Dutch oven or stockpot, heat up the ghee with the crushed spices. Immediately add the kari leaves and minced onions and cook on high heat, stirring frequently. The onions will sweat and begin to turn golden in color.
Add the garlic and chicken legs and continue cooking on medium heat for 2 to 3 minutes, next adding the turmeric, cumin, coriander, chili powder and salt. Add the tomatoes and lower the heat. Let the chicken simmer for another 2 to 3 minutes.
Next add the vegetables, ginger puree and 1 to 2 cups of water and bring the entire curry to a boil. Then lower the heat, cover the stockpot and simmer for 8 to 10 minutes or until the vegetables and chicken are tender.
Within the last 2 to 3 minutes stir in the yogurt, keeping the heat low. Let it simmer for another 3 to 5 minutes, then turn the heat off. Garnish with cilantro and drizzle the top with more ghee before serving if desired.
notes & variations
If whole spices are not available, add 1 teaspoon of garam masala, a traditional Indian aromatic spice blend at the end.
A curry is best eaten an hour or two after prepared, this helps bring the flavors together. It is even more delicious the next day.
The whole spices contribute to the aroma so when heating them, be careful or they will render the curry slightly bitter.
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