Spicy Minced Lamb with Peas, Turmeric, Ginger and Coriander
Non-vegetarianOrigin West
A dry, spicy minced lamb dish with peas, built on a yoghurt marinade and a tomato-onion base, finished with lime and fresh coriander. It tastes warm and aromatic, with gentle heat from green chilli and a fresh citrus lift.
Marinade spices
8 gMixed into the yoghurt marinade before the lamb is added (step 2)
Blend 15 g garlic, 10 g fresh ginger root and 3 g green bird's eye chilli with a splash of water to a smooth paste.
Transfer the paste to a large bowl; mix in 30 g Greek yoghurt and the marinade spices. Add 500 g minced lamb and mix well. Cover and refrigerate for 2–3 hours.
Heat half of the 52.8 g ghee in a heavy-based saucepan over medium heat. Add the marinated lamb and fry for 8–10 minutes until half cooked. Remove the lamb and set aside.
Heat the rest of the ghee in the same pan over medium heat. Add the whole spice for the oil and 250 g onion, finely chopped, and fry for 15 minutes until light brown.
Add 200 g tomato blended to a purée and 5.2 g tomato purée; cook for 8 minutes, stirring, until thickened.
Stir in the ground spices for the sauce. Add the half-cooked lamb, 3 g green bird's eye chilli slit lengthways, 1.8 g coriander leaves and stems finely chopped, and 10 g fresh ginger root cut into matchsticks. Season with salt to taste.
Stir well, cover and cook over low heat for 15–17 minutes, stirring halfway through and scraping the base.
Add the finishing spice and 50 g frozen peas; cook for 5 minutes until the peas are tender.
Stir in 50 g lime juice and chopped coriander leaf to taste.
Use 120% of the weight; melt gently over low heat to avoid burning the milk solids, which will yield a softer, creamier richness rather than a nutty aroma.
Use 80% of the weight, finely shredded and browned slowly with a pinch of asafoetida. Replicates the bulk and natural sweetness in gravies without allium.
Use 40% to 50% of the fresh tomato weight mixed with a splash of water. Imparts a deeper red colour, thicker sauce, and slightly sweeter cooked flavour.
Steep a tiny pinch (0.1 g per 2 g turmeric) in 2 tbsp warm water; use to match the rich golden hue. Contributes an aristocratic, honeyed floral flavour rather than earthy bitterness.
Use 50% of the weight and stir in near the end of cooking. Adds warmth and depth since it contains ground coriander, but introduces stronger spices like clove and cinnamon.
Use 20% to 25% of the weight (1 g for every 4 to 5 g fresh). Stir into the gravy; adds peppery heat and warmth, though it misses the crisp, zesty kick of raw root.
Use 50% of the weight mixed with equal parts ground coriander and a pinch of ground cinnamon, ground cloves, and ground green cardamom. Sprinkle near the end for a warming finish.
Use 15% to 20% of the weight (about 1 g for every 5 to 6 g fresh cloves). Whisk into sauces; gives a savoury, toasted garlic flavour without raw pungency.
Grate whole nutmeg finely on a microplane; use 80% to 100% of the weight. Freshly grated nutmeg has significantly more aromatic oils and a more vibrant aroma.
Use 100% to 120% of the weight. Mace is nutmeg's outer husk, providing almost identical warmth but with a lighter, slightly more delicate, floral edge.