Serves 8

Ingredients

Canola oil (to coat bottom of the pan)
3 cloves garlic, chopped fine
2 tablespoons ginger, chopped fine
1 fresh red chili, chopped fine (optional for extra heat)
2 medium yellow onions, chopped large
5-6 fresh curry leaves (optional)
1 4-5 pound leg of lamb trimmed, bone in
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
1.5 ounces Ger-Nis’ Madras Curry Mix (recipe follows)
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
2 tablespoons lemon juice
3 tablespoons tomato paste
1 cup fresh tomatoes, chopped fine
2 cups rich ginger & onion broth (recipe follows) or vegetable broth
Steamed basmati rice
Yogurt for garnish

Directions

In a large Dutch oven, heat canola oil to a medium high heat. Sauté the garlic, ginger and red chili for a few minutes. Add the onions and curry leaves and continue to sauté for about 3-4 minutes or until the onions begin to get slightly translucent. Take out the onion mixture and set aside. Place a bit more oil in the pan and season the leg of lamb with salt, pepper and the curry mix, making sure it is evenly coated. Add the leg of lamb to the Dutch oven and brown on all sides. Remove leg of lamb from pan. Add back the onion mixture and mix well. Add the lemon juice and the tomato paste and mix well, scraping any of the stuck bits on the bottom of the pan. Add the tomatoes and continue to do the same. Turn heat to low or a simmer and add curry leaves and broth. Place the leg of lamb back in the pan and place in a preheated oven (450°F) covered for 15 minutes. Turn the heat down to 350°F and stir and place back in the oven. Remove every fifteen minutes to stir and turn the leg over. Roast for a total of about 1½-2 hours or until the meat is tender and falling off the bone. Serve over basmati rice, and garnished with a dollop of yogurt.

Madras Curry Mix

Makes about 1.5 ounces of mix

Ingredients

½ teaspoon coriander, ground
2 teaspoons cumin, ground
2 teaspoons turmeric
2 teaspoons black mustard seeds, ground
1 teaspoon black peppercorns, ground
1 teaspoon cloves, ground
½ teaspoon fenugreek seeds, ground
½ teaspoon fennel seeds, ground
½ teaspoon salt
1 dried red chili, ground

Directions

Mix together all ingredients in a small mixing bowl, making sure that the dried chili pepper is ground up well. Store in an airtight container for up to 2 months, preferably in a dark and cool location.

*Toasting the whole spices first and then grinding gives a deeper richer flavor to the spice mix and dish!

Sweet Ginger-Onion Broth

Makes approximately 4 cups

Ingredients

Red onion skins and pieces
Shallot skins and pieces
2 tablespoons ginger pieces, skins ok
¼ cup honey
Carrot pieces
Parsnip pieces or root vegetable
4½ cups water
2 tablespoons salt
1 tablespoon black pepper

Directions

Place all ingredients in a large soup pan over. Bring to a boil, and simmer for about 20-40 minutes. Strain, cool and set aside.