- 1 tsp cumin seeds
- 1 tsp coriander seeds
- 1 tsp fennel seeds
- 3 onions
- 1 garlic clove
- A thumb of ginger
- 250g diced chicken leg
- 1 tsp turmeric
- A 400g tin of chopped tomatoes
- 200g white basmati rice
- A head of broccoli
- A handful of coriander, leaves only
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Sea salt
- Freshly ground pepper
- 200 ml cold water
- 400 ml boiling water
- Medium pan with a lid
- Pestle and mortar (optional)
- Sieve
- Small pan with a lid
- Measuring jug
- Frying pan
- Kitchen paper
- 1.
Measure out 1 tsp each of the cumin, coriander and fennel seeds. Toast them all in a dry pan over medium heat for 1-2 mins, till they smell aromatic. Grind them in a pestle and mortar, or in a bowl with the bottom of a jam jar.
- 2.
Peel and finely slice the onions. Peel and grate or crush the garlic. Peel and grate the ginger. Put them all to one side.
- 3.
Warm the pan you toasted the spices in for 1 min. Add 1 tbsp oil and the chicken. Fry over a medium heat for 5 mins till the chicken is golden brown. Turn once or twice so it browns evenly. Pop it on a plate.
- 4.
Add two-thirds of the onions to the pan. Season with salt and pepper. Cover. Turn the heat down low. Sweat for 10 mins till the onions are very soft and golden. Stir every so often.
- 5.
Stir the ground spices into the sweated onions with the garlic, ginger and 1 tsp of the turmeric. Add the chicken back in. Tip in the tomatoes. Half fill the tomato tin with water (around 200 ml) and pour into the pan. Cover. Bring to the boil. Turn the heat down and simmer for 15 mins.
- 6.
While the curry cooks, rinse the rice under cold water. Tip it into a small pan. Add 400ml boiling water and a pinch of salt. Cover. Bring to the boil. Turn the heat right down. Gently simmer over a low heat for 6-8 mins till the water is absorbed. Take off the heat. Set aside, lid on, for 4-5 mins to finish cooking the rice.
- 7.
Break the brococli into small florets. Stir into the curry after 15 mins. Simmer for another 15 mins till the curry is thick and the broccoli is tender. Taste and add more salt and pepper if the curry needs it.
- 8.
When the curry finishes cooking, warm 1 tbsp olive oil in a frying pan. Add the rest of the onions. Season with a little salt and pepper. Fry over a medium heat for 5-8 mins till golden and crisp. Pop on a plate lined with kitchen paper to drain. Serve the chicken dopiaza with the rice, fried onions and coriander leaves.
- 9.