Mughlai Lamb Curry

Ingredients
1/2 cup
2 teaspoons cumin seeds, dry-roasted and coarsely ground
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1 cup (or store-bought)
3 tablespoons peanut oil
2 bay leaves
4 whole dried red chili peppers , such as cilie de arbol
1 1/2 teaspoons cumin seeds
1 large onion , finely chopped
1 1/2 to 2 pound boneless leg of lamb or beef (rump, brisket, or sirloin), all visible fat trimmed, cut into 1 1/2-inch pieces
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2 tablespoons peeled minced fresh ginger
2 cloves fresh garlic (large), minced
1 tablespoon ground coriander
1 1/2 teaspoons , some reserved for garnish
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/8 teaspoon ground mace
1 teaspoon salt , or to taste
1 teaspoon ground green cardamom seeds
3 cups water

Method:

1. Prepare the cashew paste, cumin seeds, and coconut milk. Then, heat the oil in a large nonstick wok or saucepan over medium-high heat and cook the bay leaves and red chili peppers, stirring, about 1 minute. Add the cumin seeds, they should sizzle upon contact with the hot oil. Quickly, add the onion and cook over medium heat until well-browned, about 10 minutes.

2. Add the meat, ginger, garlic, coriander, dry-roasted cumin, garam masala nutmeg, mace, and salt, and cook the meat, stirring, over medium-high heat the first 2 to 3 minutes and then over medium heat until browned, about 10 minutes.

3. Mix in the cashew paste and cardamom seeds and stir another 5 minutes. Then add half the coconut milk and the water and simmer until the meat is fork-tender, the sauce is thick and the oil separates to the sides, 50 to 60 minutes. Mix in the remaining 1/2 cup coconut milk during the last 10 minutes of cooking. Transfer to a serving dish, sprinkle the reserved garam masala on top, and serve.

From "1,000 Indian Recipes." Copyright 2002 by Neelam Batra. Used with permission of the publisher, Wiley Publishing, Inc. All Rights Reserved

Indian Style Lamb Curry

Ingredients:

6 tbsp oil
1 med onion chopped coarsely
1 whole bulb garlic (approx 15 cloves) minced
3 tsp salt (more if desired, but start with this)
3 tsp tumeric powder (yellow curry powder)
6 tsp Masala powder (allspice)
1 bunch cilantro
fresh chilies (start with little bit, add to desired heat)
3 med potatoes, peeled and quartered
the leaves from 1 stem of curry leaves (optional)
4 cups water

Method:

You may have to find an East Indian store and show them this recipe for them to know what you need.

In a large cooking pot on medium/high heat, add the oil, and heat until oil is hot, add onions, and fry until light brown.

Stir in tumeric powder, and 30 secs later add the garlic and chilies. Mix for about 1 min, add the curry leaves (make sure no stems), and stir in the lamb.

Add the Masala powder and salt and mix. Cook covered for about 5 mins.

Add the water, then cover and cook for 20 minutes. Add the potatoes, and cook another 20 minutes covered.

Check to see if meat is cooked, potatoes are softened, and taste for salt, and chilies, and sauce has thickened.

If needed, cook longer until the desired result.

Garnish with cilantro, serve over rice (basmati is best) and that's it.

This is the basic recipe, and measurements are also approximate, if the sauce thickens too fast during cooking then add water till the desired result.

The sauce, when it's finished should be the same thickness as pancake batter, or clam chowder.