Pakistani Lamb Curry Recipes

Steps:

• 1. Heat 1⁄4 cup oil in a 5-qt. skillet over high heat. Add onions; cook, stirring occasionally, until dark brown, 20-25 minutes. Transfer to a bowl; set aside.
• 2. Heat remaining oil in a 5-qt. pot over high heat. Add garam masala, chile flakes, turmeric, 10 peppercorns, 5 green cardamom pods, 2 black cardamom pods, and 1 cinnamon stick; cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add garlic, tomatoes, chiles, and ginger; cook, stirring, 2-3 minutes. Add lamb, season with salt, and cook until lightly browned, about 5 minutes. Cover, reduce heat to medium; cook until lamb is tender, about 1 hour. Add fried onions, yogurt, 1⁄2 cup mint, and 2 tablespoons cilantro; cook, uncovered, for 15 minutes more. Set aside.
• 3. Put saffron into a bowl and cover with 1⁄2 cup hot water; set aside. Bring 4 cups of water to a boil in a 5-qt. saucepan. Add remaining peppercorns, green and black cardamom, and cinnamon, along with the rice, cumin, cloves, and bay leaves, and season with salt. Cook rice until al dente, 5-10 minutes; drain rice and set aside.
• 4. Transfer half the lamb curry to a 5-qt. pot. Top lamb with half the rice. Pour half the saffron mixture onto rice along with a few drops of rose water and food coloring (if using); mix into rice with your fingers. Top with remaining lamb curry and remaining rice; drizzle with remaining saffron; mix. Steam, covered, on low heat until rice is tender, about 10 minutes. Garnish with remaining mint and cilantro.

Steps:

• Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Brown lamb chops on all sides, about 5 minutes. Remove and set aside.
• Stir in green cardamom, black cardamom, bay leaves, cinnamon stick, and cumin seeds until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add onions, garlic, and ginger; cook until onion is golden brown, about 10 minutes. Mix in chile powder, turmeric, and salt; stir-fry for 1 minute. Add browned lamb, water, tomatoes, and chile peppers. Simmer over low heat until lamb is tender and all water has evaporated and onions have disintegrated into a thick gravy, about 40 minutes. Serve garnished with cilantro.

Steps:

• To make the spice powder, dry roast the spices in a medium-sized skillet, over medium heat, and stir and toss them around for 1-2 minutes, or until they begin to look toasted and release their aromas.
• Immediately remove from heat and place the spices in a clean coffee grinder, and when cooled slightly, grind to a fine powder, then set aside.
• If you choose not to grate the coconut, cut the thinly sliced coconut flesh into ¼-½ inch dice.
• Next, wipe out the skillet with a paper towel, return to medium heat, and add 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil.
• When hot, add the diced coconut, the turmeric and ½ teaspoon of salt, stir-fry for 3-4 minutes, or until the coconut is toasted, then set aside.
• Heat 2-3 tablespoons vegetable oil in a large pan, preferably non-stick, over medium to high heat.
• Add 1 teaspoon mustard seeds, and stir a few seconds until they pop.
• Add 20 fresh curry leaves, 3 oz shallots, and all the ginger and garlic, and saute, stirring, for 3-4 minutes until the shallots are lightly browned.
• Now add the meat and the roasted ground spice mixture, and stir well to coat the meat with the spices.
• Toss in the toasted coconut dice and ½ teaspoon of salt, and then add the vinegar and 2½-3 cups water.
• Bring to the boil, cover, and simmer over low heat for 50 minutes to an hour until the meat is almost tender.
• Remove the lid and, increasing the heat if necessary, continue to cook for a further 10-15 minutes or until the sauce is thick and clings to the meat.
• Finally, heat the remaining tablespoon oil in a small skillet over medium heat, and when hot, add the urad dhal (optional) and the mustard seeds.
• Stir until the mustard seeds pop, and then add 2 oz shallots and 20 curry leaves, and stir-fry until the shallots are golden brown.
• Add this shallot mixture to the meat, stir well, remove from heat and serve with rice.

Steps:

• Soak brown and red lentils in ample cool water for 1 hour to overnight. Drain and rinse.
• Place drained lentils into a large saucepan or Dutch oven. Pour in the water, then add garlic, salt, coriander, cayenne, and turmeric. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until the lentils are tender, about 30 minutes.
• While the lentils cook, melt the clarified butter in a skillet over medium heat. Stir in the onions, and cook, stirring often, until they turn golden brown. Stir in the cumin, and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
• Stir the onions and milk into the lentils; cook for another 6 to 8 minutes. Sprinkle with cilantro to serve.