Rogan Josh (Kashmiri Lamb Curry)

This is one to make with love! This is the one my friends always request. I usually make it the night before and the flavour really develops over night. I make my own Kashmiri Garam Masala. Australian measurements used. I've not timed the making of this so times are a guesstimate.

• Ready In: 1 hr 25 mins
• Serves: 4-6

Ingredients

• Paste

• 3  dried red chilies, seeded
• 2  tablespoons  ground  blanched almonds
• 1  tablespoon ground coriander
• 1  teaspoon cumin seed
• 1  teaspoon white poppy seeds
• 3  garlic cloves, roughly chopped
• 1  tablespoon  chopped fresh ginger
• 2  large onions, finely chopped
• 1⁄4 teaspoon saffron strand

• Remaining curry ingredients

• 4  tablespoons ghee (or oil)
• 4  cardamom pods, bruised
• 1⁄2 teaspoon ground turmeric
• 1⁄2 cup plain yogurt
• 2  large  ripe tomatoes, peeled and chopped
• 3  teaspoons  kashmiri garam masala (Kashmiri Garam Masala)
•  salt, to taste
• 750  g lean lamb, cut into large cubes
• 2  tablespoons  chopped coriander leaves

Directions

1. Paste:
2. Soak chillies in hot water, to cover, for 5 minutes. Dry toast almonds, ground coriander, cumin and poppy seeds in pan over low heat until spices brown slightly and become aromatic. (Shake pan so spices don't burn.) Place into a food processor with garlic, ginger, onions and chillies and blend until smooth. You may need to add a little of the chile soaking water to help the blending.
3. Dry toast the saffron strands in the small pan. Be careful not to burn. In a small bowl crush with the back of a spoon then add 2 tablespoons of boiling water to dissolve. Add to the paste mix and set aside.
4. Curry:
5. Heat ghee in a large, heavy-based saucepan and fry cardamom pods, turmeric and paste mix and fry, stirring constantly, until ghee begins to separate from mixture.
6. Stir in yoghurt, a spoonful at a time.
7. Add tomatoes, garam masala and salt and fry, stirring, for 5 minutes.
8. Add lamb and stir over high heat to coat with with spices.
9. Reduce heat to very low, cover and cook for 1 hour or until the lamb is very tender. (It should not be necessary to add any liquid). Stir occasionally to prevent spices from sticking to base of pan.
10. Serve sprinkled with coriander leaves and accompany with rice.