Rich Lamb With Nuts (Rogan Josh) Recipe

ingredients

1 onion, peeled and sliced
2 ounces ghee
OR
4 tablespoons oil
6 green cardamoms
4 large cardamom pods
6 whole cloves
2 bay leaves
1 stick (1" size) cinnamon
1 piece (1" size) ginger root, crushed
3 cloves garlic, crushed
1 pound boned lamb (or beef), cut into cubes
1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon chili powder
2 teaspoons paprika powder
1 teaspoon ground coriander
1/4 pint natural yogurt
1 teaspoon salt
1 ounce chopped, blanched almonds
1 tablespoon ground poppy seeds
12 ounces water
1 pinch saffron

directions

Fry onion in ghee (or oil) until lightly browned. Add and stir fry cardamoms, cloves, bay leaf and cinnamon for 1 minute. Add ginger and garlic paste, stir and add meat.

Sprinkle on, one at a time, the cumin, chili, paprika and coriander powder. Fry the mixture for 2 minutes. Add yogurt and salt, then cover and cook for 5-7 minutes until dry and oil separates.

Add almonds and poppy seeds. Stir fry for 1-2 minutes, then add water. Cover and cook for 40-50 minutes, gently simmering until meat is tender and the mixture is fairly dry.

Sprinkle with saffron. Cover and gently cook for another 5-10 minutes, taking care not to burn the meat. Stir the mixture a few times to mix saffron.