Curried Lamb or Eggplant with Onions - Mutton Do Piaza Serves 6-8
Ingredients :
3 Tbsp. Ajika Madras Curry Powder
1 tsp. salt (or to taste)
3 lbs. (1350 gms.) lamb or mutton - 2 inch cubes (fat trimmed - boneless or boned) or 3 large Eggplant (peeled, cubed and salted for 20 minuites and then washed. Slightly saute the eggplant in oil and keep aside)
3 Tbsp. vegetable or corn oil
2 cups thinly sliced onions
2 Tbsp. finely chopped ginger or 1 tsp. ginger powder
2 Tbsp. minced garlic
1 cup chopped tomatoes or 2 Tbsp. tomato paste
1 cup quartered onions or halved shallots
1 Tbsp. chopped coriander (cilantro) leaves (optional)
Method:
1. In a small bowl mix together Ajika Madras Curry Powder, salt and 4 Tbsp. water and set aside.
2. In a medium pan or pot (non-stick is ideal) heat oil over moderate fire and sauté onions, stirring, until golden brown, about 5 to 7 mins. With a slotted spoon squeeze out excess oil from 3 Tbsp. of fried onions and transfer to paper towels to drain (for garnishing). Add ginger and garlic to rest of onions in oil and sauté, stirring, 1 min. Add spice paste and sauté, stirring, until liquid has evaporated, about 1 min.
3. Add tomatoes and sauté, stirring, until soft and melt into the sauce, 3 mins.
4. Add lamb or mutton or eggplant and sauté, stirring, 5 mins.
5. Add quartered onions or halved shallots and 1 cup water, bring to boil and simmer, covered, using medium heat, until meat is tender, about 30 mins . Taste for salt.
6. Transfer to a dish and garnish with reserved onions and coriander leaves.
7. Serve hot with rice (steamed or pilaf), Indian pickles, Indian bread such as puri, nan, roti or paratha, pita or any other bread or with boiled vegetables or yucca (cassava).
Chefs Tip:
- To make a spice rub for grilling 1 lb. meat, poultry or seafood, mix together 1 Tbsp. Ajika Madras Curry Powder with ½ tsp. each of salt and garlic powder.
- For a spicier curry, add 1 tsp. of Ajika Garam Masala and 1 or 2 chopped fresh green cayenne or serrano chillies to the pan along with the spice paste in step 2.
- Try this recipe with 2 lbs of chicken, beef, fish, shrimps, vegetables or tofu.
