Bombay Brasserie Rogan Josh
Although traditionally Kashmiri, this was absorbed and spread by the
Moghuls. It's supposed to be coloured a dark, rich red by a spice and dye
called rattanjog, made from the bark of a tree native to Kashmir, it is very
much like a thin version of cinnamon bark. It is also very expensive: the
substitute used at the Bombay Brasserie is Saffron, which gives a rich
flavour.
Ingredients
6 tomatoes, chopped
2 onions chopped
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 tablespoon ginger and garlic paste (see below)
2 tablespoons ground coriander
1 1/2 tablespoons Kashmiri red chilli powder
2 teaspoons turmeric
450ml natural yoghurt
900g boneless leg of lamb, trimmed and cut into cubes
1 tablespoon garam masala
1 tablespoon tomato pur?e
2 teaspoons ground ginger
1 teaspoon mace, nutmeg and green cardamom powder (see below)
1/2 teaspoon saffron dissolved in 1 tablespoon warm milk
Salt to taste
Chopped fresh coriander leaves to garnish
Method
Place the tomatoes and onions in blender or food processor and blend
together until a paste forms; set aside. Heat the oil in a flameproof
casserole or saucepan. Add the ginger and garlic paste and fry until the
aroma of cooked garlic is evident. Add the tomato and onion paste, ground
coriander and chilli powder and turmeric and fry over a low heat, stirring
constantly; after 12-15 minutes the fat will separate.
Gradually incorporate the yoghurt, stirring all the time, and then add the
lamb. Simmer, stirring occasionally, for 30 minutes. Add a little water if
necessary, but the lamb should give off so much natural juice that extra
liquid probably won't be needed. Stir in the garam masala and tomato pur?e
and continue simmering for 10-12 minutes until the lamb is cooked through
and tender. Stir in the ground ginger, the mace, nutmeg and green cardamom
powder, dissolved saffron and salt. Skim off any excess oil floating on the
surface. Serve garnished with the coriander.
Ginger and garlic paste.
450g fresh root ginger, peeled and chopped
450g garlic cloves, peeled
Place ginger and garlic in a blender or food processor and process until a
smooth paste forms, adding just enough water to help blend the ingredients,
rather than dilute them. Store the paste in a jar with a tight fitting lid
in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks, or freeze for up to 3 months.
Mace, nutmeg and green cardamom powder.
100g mace
100g green cardamom pods
4 whole nutmegs
Warm the spices under a preheated grill, without letting the colours change.
Transfer to an electric spice mill, blender or pestle and mortar and blend
until a fine powder forms. This powder tends to be a bit oily, but that is a
sign of good quality spices. Allow to cool. Store in an airtight container.