Angela Hartnett's Chicken With Mushrooms and Cumin Recipe

Tried and tested seasonings are great with chicken, but this dish offers an unexpected combination of subtly spicy flavors.I have a cupboard full of spices, and every now and again I force myself to try different combinations. Roast chicken is great with lemon and rosemary, but for a change, try it with cumin - it's really delicious. Toast the seeds first and add a touch of star anise if you fancy extra spice.(serves 3-4)
3 tbsp olive oil
4 chicken thighs
4 chicken drumsticks
Pinch of rock salt and pepper
Large pinch of cumin seeds, crushed
300ml vegetable stock, or water
250g chestnut mushrooms, cleaned
2 tbsp flat-leaf parsley, choppedHeat the oil on medium in a large lidded pan, season the chicken with salt and pepper and colour, uncovered, on both sides for about five minutes (you may need to do this in two batches).When all of the chicken is browned, add the cumin seeds and toast in the pan.Add the stock - or water - cover the pan and cook for 20 minutes.Roughly chop the mushrooms and add them to the pan about five minutes before the chicken is cooked, and replace the lid.Serve the chicken garnished with the parsley and with steamed cabbage or a green salad.• Angela Hartnett is chef patron at Murano restaurant and consults at the Whitechapel Gallery and Dining Room, London. Twitter.com/angelahartnett
Chicken with mushrooms and cumin makes a great summer meal. Photograph: Linda Nylind for the Guardian