Kerala Lamb Curry Recipes

INDIAN LAMB CURRY

Steps:

• In a Dutch oven or heavy bottom skillet, add the oil, ghee, and whole spices.Pro tip - if possible use a Dutch oven as it retains heat evenly and will cook without losing too much liquid. if not, use a heavy bottom skillet with a tight lid.
• Then, add onions and saute until caramelized, almost brown - about 10 minutes (see video).Pro tip - depending on the heat it may take 10 to 15 minutes to caramelize the onions. Do not cook on high as it will burn the onions not caramelize.
• Next, add the ginger and garlic - saute for another minute. Add the lamb pieces, saute for 2 to 3 minutes until the lamb is no longer pink.Pro tip - ginger and garlic can burn easily so keep the heat on medium. Then turn the heat a little higher to sear the lamb on all sides.
• Then, add the ground spices and chopped tomatoes. Saute for 2 to 3 minutes until fragrant.
• Next, add the yogurt. Combine it then add 1/2 cup water. Season with salt, pepper, and lemon juice. Bring to a boil on medium-high heat.Pro tip - stir the yogurt separately in a small bowl to ensure there are no lumps before you add it to the lamb otherwise you will have lumps in the curry.
• Continue to simmer it on the stovetop on medium-low heat stirring frequently until meat is cooked through and becomes fork-tender - about 1 to 1 ½ hour adding water if necessary. Pro tip - Always ensure you have enough water so the meat has enough moisture to cook. If necessary add ¼ to ½ cup more.
• When cooked to fork-tender, taste and adjust seasoning. Adjust gravy by adding a bit more water depending on how you going to serve it.Pro tip - If you serve it with chapati, naan, or roti - keep it thick. If you serve with rice, add a little water to make a gravy.
• Garnish with fresh cilantro or parsley.

KERALA LAMB CURRY

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.

LAMB SHANK MADRAS

Steps:

• Tip the yogurt, cumin, turmeric, 1 tsp sea salt and the lamb shanks into a large mixing bowl, then mix to coat the lamb. Cover and pop in the fridge for a couple of hrs, or overnight if you have time.
• Heat the oven to 160C/140C fan/gas 4. Heat the oil in a large flameproof casserole dish over a medium heat, add the shanks and brown all over for 10 mins, then remove from the dish. Scatter the onions into the dish and fry for 10 mins until golden brown. Stir in the curry powder, garlic and ginger and cook for 3 mins until aromatic. Add the lamb shanks back to the dish along with the tomatoes, chillies, curry leaves, cardamom pods and lime pickle. Give everything a good stir and pour over the stock. Bring up to a simmer, cover, then transfer to the oven and cook for 3 hrs.
• Remove the lid and cook for 1 hr more - this will help reduce some of the liquid and char any exposed meat. When the lamb is very tender, leave to rest for 30 mins or leave to cool completely and reheat the next day for the best flavour. Can be made up to two days in advance. Scatter with chopped mint and serve with naan bread and rice on the side.

AUTHENTIC INDIAN LAMB CURRY

Steps:

• Wash the lamb well in cold water removing the loose slimey film from each piece. Don't worry about drying the lamb - keep it nice and wet (the lamb absorbs the water and allows the meat to become nice and tender).
• In a large steel saucepan heat the oil and then add in the onions to fry over a high heat. When the onions have started to go translucent then add in the Black and Green Cardamoms, Cinnamon Stick, Black peppercorn, finger chillies, Bay leaves, Salt and finally the Cumin Seeds. Continue to fry over high heat until the onions have turned a reddish brown colour. Make sure you keep on stirring.
• Add in the ginger paste, garlic paste and fry for a few minutes adding some water. Make sure you keep on stirring.
• Add the turmeric, coriander and chilli powder and mix in well. Add in a further ½ cup of water. Make sure you keep on stirring.
• Add the chopped tomatoes and then lower the heat and continue to slow fry until the tomatoes have disintegrated into the sauce and the oil starts to separate. This may take a little time! Make sure you keep on stirring.
• Add in the lamb and stir well to coat everything and then finally add in the yoghurt. Cover and let simmer for 45 minutes to an hour stirring every 5 or 10 minutes to stop it all burning at the bottom of the pan.
• The dish is ready when the lamb is soft and tender and the oil has once again separated from the sauce. Once cooked add in the juice of the lemon.
• Garnish with chopped coriander leaves and serve with warm fresh Naan bread.