Chicken Cashew Korma
More than any other nut, cashews pull out something good in Viognier. And the fragrant spices in this Indian dish echo the natural fragrance of the wine. Prep and Cook Time: about 1 1/2 hours. Notes: Find garam masala, a blend of Indian spices, at well-stocked supermarkets. Serve the korma with basmati rice.
How to Make It
Step 1
1
In a food processor, whirl yogurt and 1/4 cup cashews until nuts are finely ground. Sprinkle chicken with 1 tsp. salt.
Step 2
2
Pour olive oil into a large, deep frying pan over medium-high heat. When hot, add chicken and cook, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned all over, about 8 minutes. With a slotted spoon, transfer to a bowl.
Step 3
3
Add onion to pan; cook, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned, 5 minutes. Reduce heat to medium; add tomatoes, garlic, ginger, cardamom, cinnamon, coriander, garam masala, and cayenne. Cook until tomatoes begin to soften, 2 minutes.
Step 4
4
Return chicken and juices to pan, along with raisins, remaining 1/2 cup cashews, and yogurt mixture. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and cook, stirring often, until chicken is no longer pink in the center (cut to test) and sauce has thickened slightly (it will look separated), 10 to 15 minutes. Uncover, add cream, and stir over medium heat until sauce is smooth and hot, 5 minutes. Add more salt to taste.
Step 5
5
Wine note: Typically full of honeyed tangerine, peach, and honeysuckle, Viognier--the great white grown in France's Rhône Valley--is rich but, at its best, crisp and minerally too. It pairs well with creamy sauces and aromatic spices. Leaner versions stand up to spicy Thai and Vietnamese flavors; richer ones are good matches for nuts, cheese, mild Indian curries, and sweet shellfish.
Step 6
6
Our picks:
Step 7
7
Miner Family Simpson Vineyard Viognier 2005 (California; $20). A rich mouth-feel and hint of tangerine peel set off the chicken korma.
Step 8
8
Voss Viognier 2004 (Carneros; $26). Delicate tangerine peel, peach, and honeysuckle, with minerals that keep step with the chicken korma.
Step 9
9
Note: Nutritional analysis is per serving.
Ingredients
2 cups plain whole-milk yogurt
3/4 cup roasted, unsalted cashews
2 1/2 pounds boned, skinned chicken thighs, rinsed and cut into 1-in. pieces
About 1 tsp. kosher salt
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 onion, halved lengthwise, then thinly sliced
2 plum tomatoes, cored and diced
6 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons finely grated fresh ginger
8 cardamom pods, crushed
2 sticks cinnamon
1 1/2 tablespoons ground coriander
2 teaspoons garam masala (see Notes)
1 teaspoon cayenne
1/4 cup black or golden raisins
1/4 cup whipping cream
Directions
Step 1
1
In a food processor, whirl yogurt and 1/4 cup cashews until nuts are finely ground. Sprinkle chicken with 1 tsp. salt.
Step 2
2
Pour olive oil into a large, deep frying pan over medium-high heat. When hot, add chicken and cook, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned all over, about 8 minutes. With a slotted spoon, transfer to a bowl.
Step 3
3
Add onion to pan; cook, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned, 5 minutes. Reduce heat to medium; add tomatoes, garlic, ginger, cardamom, cinnamon, coriander, garam masala, and cayenne. Cook until tomatoes begin to soften, 2 minutes.
Step 4
4
Return chicken and juices to pan, along with raisins, remaining 1/2 cup cashews, and yogurt mixture. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and cook, stirring often, until chicken is no longer pink in the center (cut to test) and sauce has thickened slightly (it will look separated), 10 to 15 minutes. Uncover, add cream, and stir over medium heat until sauce is smooth and hot, 5 minutes. Add more salt to taste.
Step 5
5
Wine note: Typically full of honeyed tangerine, peach, and honeysuckle, Viognier--the great white grown in France's Rhône Valley--is rich but, at its best, crisp and minerally too. It pairs well with creamy sauces and aromatic spices. Leaner versions stand up to spicy Thai and Vietnamese flavors; richer ones are good matches for nuts, cheese, mild Indian curries, and sweet shellfish.
Step 6
6
Our picks:
Step 7
7
Miner Family Simpson Vineyard Viognier 2005 (California; $20). A rich mouth-feel and hint of tangerine peel set off the chicken korma.
Step 8
8
Voss Viognier 2004 (Carneros; $26). Delicate tangerine peel, peach, and honeysuckle, with minerals that keep step with the chicken korma.
Step 9
9
Note: Nutritional analysis is per serving.
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