Curried Chicken with Fresh & Dried Cranberries by Rev. Carol A. Ingle (Raven)

[Dept of PMM Artists & things]

Curried Chicken with Fresh & Dried Cranberries

Fresh and dried cranberries, tomatoes, mustard seeds and fragrant curry spices brighten this zesty Indian-spiced chicken stew. The dish is excellent prepared ahead and reheated, so it is a convenient entree for casual entertaining. Serve with brown basmati rice.

Ingredients:

3 teaspoons canola oil, divided
2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, trimmed and cut crosswise into 1/2-inch-thick slices
3 tablespoons mild or medium-hot curry powder, divided
2 teaspoons butter
1 small onion, chopped
1 tablespoon yellow mustard seeds
Generous 1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom, or cloves
15-ounce can diced tomatoes with mild green chiles
1-1/2 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth
1-1/3 cups sweetened dried cranberries
1 cup cranberries, fresh or frozen, thawed, coarsely chopped (see Note)
1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger
1/4 teaspoon salt
Chopped fresh cilantro, for garnish

Preparation:

Heat 1-1/2 teaspoons oil in a nonreactive Dutch oven (see Note) over medium-high heat. Add half the chicken pieces and sprinkle with a generous 1/2 teaspoon curry powder. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is beginning to brown, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a large plate. Heat the remaining 1-1/2 teaspoons oil in the pot. Add the remaining chicken; sprinkle with another generous 1/2 teaspoon curry powder and cook, stirring occasionally, until beginning to brown, about 5 minutes. Transfer to the plate.

Add butter, onion and mustard seeds to the pot; cook, stirring, until the seeds pop and the onion begins to brown, 2 to 4 minutes. Return the chicken and any accumulated juices to the pot, sprinkle with the remaining curry powder and cardamom (or cloves); stir to coat the chicken with the spices. Cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Stir in tomatoes, broth, dried and fresh cranberries, ginger and salt. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to a simmer and cook, uncovered and stirring occasionally, until the mixture reduces slightly and the chicken is cooked through, 10 to 12 minutes more. Serve garnished with cilantro.

Tip:

Notes: To make quick work of chopping cranberries, place whole berries in a food processor and pulse a few times until the berries are coarsely chopped.

A nonreactive pan - stainless steel, enamel-coated or glass - is necessary when cooking acidic foods, such as cranberries, to prevent the food from reacting with the pan. Reactive pans, such as aluminum and cast-iron, can impart an off color and/or off flavor in acidic foods.