CHICKEN-AND-SQUASH CURRY

Chicken-and-Squash Curry image

Provided by Martha Stewart

Time 2h

Number Of Ingredients 17

2 large onions, coarsely chopped (4 cups)
8 to 10 cloves garlic, coarsely chopped (1/4 cup)
1/2 cup coarsely chopped peeled fresh ginger (from a 4-inch piece)
1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon safflower oil
1 tablespoon cumin seeds
2 teaspoons black or brown mustard seeds
1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
1/4 teaspoon ground turmeric
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 whole clove
2 tablespoons tomato paste
4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
3 fresh curry leaves (available at Penzeys) or 2 dried bay leaves
3 pounds bone-in chicken thighs, skinned
1 1/4 pounds kabocha or butternut squash, halved, seeded, peeled, and cut into 1-inch pieces (5 cups)
Coarse salt
Cooked basmati rice, yogurt, and cilantro, for serving

Steps:

Puree onions, garlic, and ginger in a food processor until smooth. Heat a Dutch oven or other heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high. Add 1/4 cup oil and cumin and mustard seeds. Cook, stirring, until fragrant, 30 to 60 seconds.
Add onion mixture and cook, stirring occasionally, until beginning to brown, about 8 minutes. Reduce heat to low and cook, stirring frequently, until liquid has evaporated and bottom of pan begins to brown, about 3 minutes more. Stir in remaining 1 tablespoon oil and spices; cook 15 seconds. Stir in tomato paste and cook, stirring, 15 seconds more.
Add broth and cook, scraping up browned bits from bottom of pot. Add curry leaves and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer; cook, partially covered, 30 minutes.
Season chicken and squash with salt and add to pot, pushing down into liquid. Return to a boil, reduce to a simmer, and cook, partially covered and occasionally pushing chicken and squash into liquid, until chicken is cooked through and squash is tender, about 40 minutes. Season with more salt. Serve over rice, topped with yogurt and cilantro.