Keralan Black Pepper Chicken

Serves 4 

Too often a bit part player, peppercorns here shine as the star performer. Used in quantity, they bring a bold piquancy that hints at an early Asian heat before chilies were brought to the continent. This is balanced by their fragrance as well as by a tangle of sweet, caramelized onions. Use Tellicherry peppercorns if you can as they are especially grassy and bright.

Pepper is native to the steamy, knotted jungles of the Indian Ghats, thriving in the cycles of heavy monsoon rain and sultry heat. Walk through rural areas during harvest and you will have to weave around patches of peppercorns left out to dry in the hot sun. 

Ingredients:

• 8 skinless, bone-in chicken thighs

• Juice of ½ a lemon

  The Nutmeg Trail Eleanor Ford

• ½ teaspoon ground turmeric

• 1 teaspoon fine sea salt

• 1 teaspoon fennel seeds

• 2 tablespoons black peppercorns

• 2 tablespoons coconut or neutral oil

• 3 large onions, finely sliced lengthways

• 5 garlic cloves, minced

• 6cm (2½ inches) ginger, peeled and minced (2 tablespoons)

• 1–2 green chilies, slit lengthways (optional)

• 1 teaspoon garam masala

• 1 tablespoon coconut vinegar or other vinegar

• Buttered basmati rice, wilted greens and a tangy-sweet Indian chutney, to serve (optional)

INSTRUCTIONS

Turn the chicken thighs in the lemon juice, turmeric, salt and a few grinds of black pepper (we are layering the pepper flavor; the full hit comes later). Set aside to marinate while you proceed. 

Tip the fennel seeds and peppercorns into a dry pan and heat until they are toasty and aromatic. Use a pestle and mortar to crush them coarsely. 

Heat a large frying pan over a medium heat, add the oil and fry the onion slices with a pinch of salt until they soften, then turn golden. Add the garlic, ginger and green chilies and stir-fry for another couple of minutes. Stir in the garam masala. 

Add the chicken to the pan along with any marinade and the vinegar. Cover, turn down the heat and leave to simmer for 15 minutes. The chicken will release liquid as it cooks.

Remove the lid and turn up the heat. Add the crushed peppercorns and fennel seeds. Stir-fry until the chicken is cooked through and the sauce is dry and caramelized. Taste for seasoning. Set aside to rest for 10 minutes before serving. 

Serve with buttered basmati rice, wilted greens and a tangy-sweet Indian chutney, if you like.

EAT WITH

Carrot thoran, a coconutty stir-fry somewhere between a salad and relish. Mix together 3 grated carrots, a large handful of shredded cabbage, a handful of grated coconut, a finely sliced onion, 1–2 slit green chilies, ½ teaspoon ground turmeric and a good pinch of salt. Heat a little oil, add ½ teaspoon black mustard seeds and let them splutter, then add 6 fresh curry leaves. Stir through the carrot mixture, turn the heat down and cover. Cook for about 10 minutes, stirring once or twice, until tender. Remove the lid and stir-fry for another couple of minutes.

Adapted from The Nutmeg Trail: Recipes and Stories Along the Ancient Spice Routes (Apollo Publishers, 2022). Copyright 2022 by Eleanor Ford.

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