Southern Indian Lamb Curry Recipes

Steps:

• Pat lamb dry with paper towels and place in a large bowl. In a small bowl, combine 1 tablespoon curry powder, the salt, the ground ginger and the black pepper. Add spice mix to large bowl and toss with lamb.
• Combine onion, scallion, garlic, fresh ginger, allspice, thyme leaves and 2 tablespoons oil in a blender; purée until smooth. Scrape mixture over lamb and toss to combine. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 2 hours or overnight.
• Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Stir in 2 teaspoons curry powder and heat until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Working in batches to avoid overcrowding the pot, brown the meat on all sides. Drizzle in additional oil, if needed, to prevent meat from sticking to the bottom of the pot. Transfer browned meat to a plate as it browns.
• Once all the meat has been browned, return it to the pot, along with any juices on the plate. Add enough water to just cover meat. Bring liquid to a simmer, covered, then uncover the pot and cook gently for 45 minutes.
• Stir potato, carrot and pepper into pot. Simmer until vegetables are fork tender and meat is cooked through, about 30 to 45 minutes longer.
• Using a slotted spoon, transfer meat and vegetables to a bowl. Simmer cooking liquid until it has reduced and thickened to a saucy consistency (to taste), about 15 minutes. Taste sauce and add more salt if needed. Pour sauce over meat. Serve over rice, topped with a squeeze of lime, a dollop of mango chutney or pickle and fresh 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:

• Heat canola oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Cook and stir onion, garlic, and cumin seeds in the hot oil until onion is browned, 10 to 15 minutes. Add lamb, tomato paste, coriander, salt, garam masala, turmeric, and red chile powder; stir to coat. Cover saucepan and simmer until meat is tender and no longer pink in the center, about 1 hour.

Steps:

• Cut meat, as uniformly as possible, into 2 by 3 inch cubes. Generously sprinkle with salt and pepper.
• Heat oil in a large Dutch oven over high heat. Cook meat until golden brown on all sides, then reserve on a platter. In same pot, cook onions, stirring occasionally, until golden. Reduce heat to medium, add garlic and all dry spices, and cook about 3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Return meat to pan and pour in lamb stock. Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer, and cook, uncovered, 1 hour 15 minutes. Occasionally skim and discard fat that rises to the top.
• Ladle warm stew over a bed of basmati rice and serve with Orange Dal with Ginger and Garlic. Garnish with yogurt and Fried Onions. Serve immediately.

Steps:

• Begin by setting a large, heavy-based pot over medium heat. Grind the cloves, fennel, cumin, coriander, and turmeric in a spice grinder. Add oil to the hot pot and pour in the spices. Throw in cinnamon sticks, bay leaves, curry leaves, and chilli. Toast for 2-3 minutes until golden and aromatic - be careful, the leaves will splatter a little. While they are toasting, add onion, garlic and ginger to the food processor and pulse until finely chopped.
• Season cubed lamb with salt and pepper then add to the pot of oil and spices. Brown all over, about 5-7 minutes.Add onion puree and sweat a little to remove some of the moisture - about 8 minutes. Stir with a wooden spoon as you go. Now add fresh tomatoes and cover slightly with lid. Reduce heat and simmer for 40 minutes until the lamb is tender. Remove the lid and skim fat off the surface. Fold in the yogurt and simmer for a further 5 minutes. Garnish with chopped fresh cilantro and scallions serve with steamed basmati rice and raita.

Steps:

• Heat oil in large pan; add bay leaves, cardamom, cinnamon stick, peppercorns, and cloves.
• When leaves begin to sizzle and fragrance starts to release, add onions and saute until light golden, about 12-15 minutes, stirring frequently.
• Stir in the ginger paste, garlic, chile pepper, and lamb.
• Season the lamb with salt; continue cooking, stirring mix, for about 20 minutes more, adding a little water if necessary to keep food from sticking.
• Add turmeric, coriander powder, cayenne, and garam masala; stir for 5 minutes, adding 2 tablespoons water.
• Add diced tomatoes, and cook for 5 minutes, stirring frequently.
• Then add 4 cups of water and simmer for 15 minutes, or until meat is getting tender.
• Lower heat.
• Whisk the yogurt with a fork; and add to the pot slowly.
• Then cook until meat is done to your liking and sauce is thickened.
• Garnish with cilantro leaves.
• Serve with steamed basmati rice, or hot Indian breads, such as Naan.