Topic: Lamb mince 'Balti'?

[vindamoo12]

Hi all,
this is my first recipe post so be gentle with me

Ill be honest, im not sure if this recipe comes under 'balti' or not as it is a mix of a few different ones  i have tried. Im sure one of you lot can tell me though.

this serves 2 greedy portions  ;D or 3 normal

Ingredients:
            Half a kilo of good lamb mince
            Half a red onion cut chunky
            A Red pepper cut into inch squares
            4 cloves of Garlic (chopped very fine)
            A square of ginger (bit smaller than an inch chopped very fine)
            8 small green chillis (cut how you like. i like mine v small)
            3 tsp tomato puree
            1 table spoon of lemon juice
            1 portion of base (enough for 2 people)
            1 tsp sugar
            1 tsp salt
            Small handful of coriander

            Spices:
                   2 tsp hot chilli powder
                   1 table spoon spice mix........
                                  Coriander 4 Parts
                                  Turmeric 3 Parts
                                  Cumin 2 Parts
                                  Curry Powder 2 parts
                                  Paprika 2 Parts
                                  fenugreek 2 parts

Ok,
                         
1, Precooked the lamb mince, with one tsp of chilli powder, then put aside
2, Blast the onion and pepper in a bit of oil until onion starts to soften, then put aside with the lamb.
3, Put 2 table spoons of sunflower oil in the pan and blast the heat up. Not so hot as it smokes but sizzlin'.
4, Add garlic and ginger and cook for a bout 20 seconds
5, Lob in the chillis and cook for another 20-30 seconds
6, Add the tomato puree and fry for 1-2 mins
7, Add all the spice mix and the 1 remaining tsp of chilli
   (i mix all the spice in a cup with a little bit of water before adding to the pan,    im always scared of burning them)
    Sizzle on for about 1-2 mins
8, add in a table spoon of base gravey and reduce down for a few mins. I added water at this stage to thin out the 'sticky gloopy' texture to a thick soup texture
9, I then let this bubble vigorously for about 1 min constantly stirring away like a mad man.
10, add rest of base, lemon juice, sugar, salt and stir thoroughly.
11, add precooked lamb and onions and peppers, simmer for about 15 mins. i added more water to get the consistency i like at this stage (up to you)
12, add coriander 2-3 mins before serving


So, there it is. Lamb mince!!!, red onion!!! red pepper!!! i know it sounds a bit odd, but it really is nice.
It has a smooth rich taste to it, with underlying heat. Thats the only way i can describe it.

Hope to hear from you experts if im doing anything technically wrong with the spices etc..

Any questions? just ask...

Thanks in advance
Gaz
           

[dwilson10]

Tried you recipe last night and i must say it was very nice, made a nice change from chicken or lamb pieces. Keep up the good work. ;D

[JerryM]

gaz,

the spec looks very tasty to me and definitely a balti.

i'm up against it with work and hols coming up so won't be able to try for a while - certainly will give it a go though.

the only thing i would reduce is the 2 tsp chilli (too hot for me given i'd want to use the green chillies for sure). the rest looks spot on - i feel i'd quite like to try your spice mix as well.

any pics to put up on the kitchen wall

[vindamoo12]

thanks guys
glad to see im on the right track. ;D

will post pics when i make it again.

gaz