Aromatic Lamb Curry Recipes

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a large, heavy-based pan over a moderate heat until quite hot. Sprinkle in the cumin seeds. When they start to crackle, throw in the cloves, cinnamon and bay leaves. Cook for 30 seconds.
• Tip in the sliced onions and cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened and golden. Add the lamb, turn up the heat a little and fry for 12-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until browned.
• Stir in the garlic and ginger, ground coriander, cayenne, turmeric, potatoes and 1 tsp salt, and cook for 2-3 minutes. Add the tomatoes, then pour in 300ml/1⁄2 pint boiling water, to just cover the meat. Bring to the boil, then reduce the heat, cover and simmer gently for 1 hour or until the lamb is tender. Add more water if needed to make a gravy. (Make to here up to 2 days ahead; cool, then keep covered in the fridge.)
• If made ahead reheat for 10 minutes until bubbling then swirl in the yogurt and garnish with coriander.

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a large pan, add the onion and lamb, then quickly fry until the lamb is lightly browned.
• Add the sweet potatoes and spices, then mix well. Pour in 425ml boiling water and the tomato purée, then bring to the boil.
• Cover and simmer for 15 mins until sweet potatoes and lamb are tender, adding the dates for the final 10 mins. Sprinkle with coriander and serve with couscous.

Steps:

• Heat oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Put the lamb in a casserole dish with a lid. Add remaining ingredients plus enough water to just cover. Cook with the lid on for 3 hrs until the meat is tender and the bones pull out easily. Allow to cool still covered in the cooking liquid with the lid on. You can do this 1-2 days in advance and let the lamb cool completely in the fridge. This will make the next step easier.
• When cold, lift the lamb out of the liquid and transfer to a baking tray. Skim fat from the sauce. Reserve half the sauce for the noodles (in 'Try' section, below) and bubble the rest, still in the pan, until thick and syrupy. Pour into a small serving bowl. Heat grill to medium and grill lamb until crisp and hot through, but not too dark.
• Shred the lamb, discarding most of the fat and all the bones, but keep the nice, crisp skin. You can cut the skin off first and leave it in a hot oven while you shred the rest of the meat. To serve, take everything to the table and eat the lamb rolled up in the lettuce leaves with the cucumber, spring onions and sauce, plus the noodles on the side.

Steps:

• Place half the coriander in a large mortar. Add chili, garlic, ginger, mint, dates, lime rind, lime juice, fish sauce and sesame oil and gently pound with a pestle until a coarse paste forms. Add the remaining coriander and gently pound until well combined.
• Heat a large heavy-based saucepan over high heat. Spray the base with olive oil spray. Add one quarter of the lamb and cook, turning occasionally for 3-4 minutes or until brown all over. Transfer to heatproof bowl. Repeat in 3 more batches, with the remaining lamb, reheating pan between batches.
• Add the onion to the pan and cook, stirring for 1 minute or until soft. Stir in the coriander paste. Cook for 30 seconds or until aromatic. Add the lamb, coconut cream, stock, lemongrass and lime leaves. Bring to the boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer covered for 1 1/2 hours or until lamb is tender. Uncover and simmer for a further 1 hour or until sauce thickens slightly. Set aside to cool. Transfer curry to a large bowl and cover with plastic. Place in fridge overnight to chill.
• Skim the fat from the surface of the curry and discard. Place the curry in a large saucepan over low heat and cook, stirring occasionally for 20 minutes or until heated through.
• Divide curry among serving bowls. Sprinkle with mint and coriander and serve with rice and lime wedges.