Braised Chicken and Potatoes with Coconut-Curry Sauce

Steps

• 1

  In 8-inch skillet, heat cumin and coriander seed over medium-high heat 5 minutes, stirring constantly, until fragrant and some seed pops. Remove seed from skillet to a plate and cool completely.
• 2

  In spice or coffee grinder (used for grinding spices only), grind roasted seed to a fine powder. (If you don’t have a grinder, place seed in resealable plastic food-storage bag and pound with flat side of meat mallet; mixture will be not as finely ground but will still be delicious.) Stir in turmeric and fenugreek; set aside.
• 3

  In 12-inch skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat until shimmering and hot. Add cloves, cardamom pods and cinnamon stick. Cook 4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until cinnamon stick uncurls. Use slotted spoon to remove spices from oil; discard spices.
• 4

  Add onions to oil and, stirring occasionally, until soft and slightly brown. Add gingerroot, garlic, bay leaves and chile and cook 3 minutes. Add coconut milk, chicken, potatoes, tomatoes, dry spice blend and salt. Reduce heat to medium. Cover and simmer 25 to 35 minutes or until potatoes are tender and juice of chicken is no longer pink when center of thickest part is cut (180°F). Remove and discard bay leaves.
• 5

  Simmer uncovered 5 minutes longer to reduce sauce a bit. Add spinach and cook uncovered 1 minute or just until spinach is wilted.