Homemade Japanese Curry Rice

Ingredients

• For the Curry Spice Blend:
• 2 tablespoons whole coriander seed, toasted in a dry skillet until fragrant
• 1 tablespoon whole cumin seed, toasted in a dry skillet until fragrant
• 1 tablespoon whole fenugreek seed, toasted in a dry skillet until fragrant
• 2 1/2 teaspoons cardamom seeds, toasted in a dry skillet until fragrant
• 2 teaspoons whole black peppercorns, toasted in a dry skillet until fragrant
• 1/2 teaspoon fennel seed, toasted in a dry skillet until fragrant
• 1 piece cinnamon
• 3 cloves
• 1/2 of a star anise pod
• 1 or 2 strips dehydrated orange peel
• 2 tablespoons ground turmeric
• 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon chili powder, depending on the intensity of your chili powder and how spicy you want the curry
• Pinch grated fresh nutmeg
• For the Stew:
• 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil, plus more as needed
• 1 large yellow onion , diced
• 8 ounces carrots , peeled and cut into 1/2-inch pieces
• 1 quart homemade chicken stock or store-bought low-sodium broth
• 1 quart homemade or instant dashi
• 1 pound Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks
• Half of 1 apple, peeled, cored, and finely grated, minced, or puréed
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 piece peeled fresh ginger, finely grated
• 3 tablespoons Curry Spice Blend
• 1 cup frozen peas , if desired
• Warm short-grain rice, for serving
• Pickled ginger and/or rakkyo , for serving

Directions

1. For the Curry Spice Blend: In a spice grinder, combine coriander, cumin, fenugreek, cardamom, black peppercorns, fennel, cinnamon, cloves, star anise, and orange peel (if using) and grind to a fine powder. Empty into a small bowl and combine with turmeric, chili powder, and nutmeg, then set aside.
2. For the Stew: Season chicken all over with salt and pepper. In a large Dutch oven, heat oil over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add chicken and cook, turning, until browned on both sides, about 6 minutes. Transfer chicken to a plate and set aside.
3. Add onion to Dutch oven, lower heat to medium-low, and cook, stirring, until golden, about 10 minutes. Add carrots and cook for 4 minutes. Add chicken stock and dashi and bring to a simmer over high heat; reduce heat to maintain a simmer.
4. Cut up chicken into bite-size pieces and add back to pot, along with any accumulated juices. Add potatoes and apple and cook at a gentle simmer until potatoes are tender and carrots can easily be pierced with a fork, about 15 minutes.
5. Meanwhile, in a medium saucepan, melt butter over medium heat until foaming. Stir in flour and cook, stirring, until roux is a deep caramel brown, about 20 minutes. Stir in ginger and 3 tablespoons (25g) Curry Spice Blend and cook for 1 minute.
6. Scrape roux into stew pot, stir well, and simmer until broth has thickened. Season with salt and pepper. Stir in peas, if using, and cook until heated through.
7. Serve curry with cooked rice and pickled ginger and/or rakkyo.