A richly spiced lamb curry built around onions cooked in two distinct styles—pureed into the gravy and fried crisp—yielding a deep, savoury sauce with warming whole and ground spices.
Stewing spices
8 gAdded to the pan with the lamb and yoghurt (step 3)
Purée 250 g roughly chopped onion in a blender until smooth and set aside. Separately blend 24 g peeled ginger into a fine paste and set aside.
Warm 300 g ghee or vegetable oil in a broad, heavy pan over medium heat. Tip in 250 g sliced onion and fry for 5–7 minutes until deep golden brown. Transfer with a slotted spoon to a plate, allow to cool, then crumble thoroughly with your hands.
Add 1000 g lamb pieces, the onion paste, ginger paste, 259 g whisked yogurt, the stewing spices, and salt to taste into the hot fat remaining in the pan. Cook over medium heat for about 30 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent sticking and adding small splashes of water if the base catches, until the meat is cooked through and the moisture has mostly reduced.
Stir in the crushed fried onions, 2 tsp garam masala, 2 g chopped coriander leaf, and 250 ml water. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat, and simmer gently for about 30 minutes before taking off the heat.
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 1 g ground for 4 g whole (or 1 small pinch per 2 to 3 whole cloves). Add with spice powders; disperses intense warmth quickly, so use with restraint.
Allspice berries
Use 100% of the weight whole in tempering. Imparts a warm, clove-like aromatic profile combined with hints of nutmeg and cinnamon.
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.