This is a meal in itself: a kind of Indian Lancashire hotpot that requires only rice – or a good crusty bread – on the side. I always serve something green as well. The cooking time in a saucepan would be about 70 minutes and you would need to add 150ml (5fl oz) water before starting to cook.
675g1½lb boned shoulder of lamb, cut into 4cm (1½in) chunks
450g1lb potatoes, peeled and cut into 4cm (1½in) chunks
2mediumcarrotspeeled and cut into 3 pieces each
¼teaspoonground turmeric
1tablespoonground coriander
½teaspoonchilli powder
1–2 freshhot green chillies
1¼teaspoonssalt
1x 400g14oz tin coconut milk
Instructies
Put 3 tablespoons oil in a pressure cooker and set over medium–high heat. When hot, put in the curry leaves, cinnamon stick, cardamom, cloves and peppercorns. Stir once and add the onions. Sauté for 1½ minutes or until the onions are soft. Add the meat, potatoes, carrots, turmeric, coriander, chilli powder, green chillies, salt and 250ml (8fl oz) of the well-stirred coconut milk. Cover securely with the lid and, on high heat, bring up to full pressure. Turn the heat to low and cook for 15 minutes. Lower the pressure with the help of cool water and remove the lid.
Cook, uncovered, over high heat for 5 minutes, stirring gently as you do this. Add the remaining coconut milk and bring to a simmer. Turn off the heat.
Here I have used a quick method to chop the onion, garlic and ginger finely. I put them into a food processor and used the ‘pulse’ method rapidly starting and stopping the machine until I have the result I want.
Coarsely chop the onions, ginger and garlic, then put them into the container of a food processor and chop finely.
Put 4 tablespoons oil in a wide, non-stick pan and set over a medium–high heat, When hot, put in the finely chopped mixture from the food processor. Stir and fry until it is somewhat brown. Add the chilli powder, cumin seeds, coriander seeds and turmeric. Stir once or twice. Now add the tomatoes and natural yoghurt. Stir on high heat until the tomatoes are soft. Add the meat, salt and garam masala. Stir, breaking up any lumps, for 2 minutes. Add 250ml (8fl oz) water. Stir and bring to a simmer. Cover, turn the heat to low and simmer for 25 minutes.
Add the lemon juice, green chilli, green coriander and peas. Stir and bring to a simmer. Cover the pan and cook on low heat for 10 minutes.
This is one of the first meat recipes I learned to cook. It is little changed from the original, passed on to me by my mother. When the meat is cooked, it should be nicely browned, and the only liquid should be the sauce clinging to it and the oil it is cooked in. In India, this is how the dish is served, but Westerners may be put off by the quantity of oil in the serving dish, so I suggest you lift out the meat and spices with a slotted spoon and transfer them to another dish. The spices serve as a garnish; they are not to be eaten.
Cut the meat into 2½–4 cm (1–1½in) cubes and pat dry thoroughly with kitchen paper.
Peel the onions, cut in half, then slice thinly into half-circles. Peel and grate the ginger.
Heat the oil in a large, heavy-based cooking pot or flameproof casserole over a medium heat. When hot, add the onions and fry, stirring occasionally, for 15 minutes or until brown and crisp, but not burned. Lift out the onions with a slotted spoon and spread out on kitchen paper to drain.
Add all the cardamom pods, the bay leaves, cumin seeds, red peppers, peppercorns and the ginger to the oil remaining in the cooking pot. Stir for 1 minute until the bay leaves darken and the ginger is sizzling. Add the meat and ½–1 teaspoon salt. Cook, stirring, for about 5 minutes until the liquid begins to bubble vigorously. Cover, lower the heat and simmer very gently for 1 hour and 10 minutes or until the meat is tender.
Add the onions and cook, uncovered, over a medium heat for a final 3–5 minutes, stirring gently. Take care not to break up the meat. Any excess liquid should have boiled away, leaving the meat only with the sauce that clings to it, and the fat left in the pot. Serve as suggested above.
This braised quail dish is a luxurious, slow-cooked delicacy from Lahore, traditionally enjoyed on sunlit verandahs in grand homes. The rich spices and tender quail make it a perfect winter feast.
2fresh hot green chillieschopped (use 1 jalapeño with seeds if preferred)
2mediumonionssliced into fine half-rings
2teaspoonswhole coriander seedsground coarsely
2½mediumtomatoespeeled and finely grated
3tablespoonscornpeanut, or olive oil
25gunsalted butter
1teaspooncayenne pepper
1¼teaspoonssalt
¼teaspoonground turmeric
120mlnatural yoghurtlightly beaten
8quailscleaned
½teaspoongaram masala
Instructies
In a blender, combine the ginger, garlic, and green chillies with 4 tablespoons of water and blend until smooth.
Heat the oil and butter in a large, heavy-lidded pan over medium-high heat.
Add the sliced onions and sauté, stirring frequently, until they turn medium brown.
Reduce the heat as needed to avoid burning.
Stir in the ginger-garlic-chilli paste and cook for 3–4 minutes.
Add 250 ml water, cayenne pepper, ground coriander, salt, turmeric, tomatoes, and yoghurt.
Stir well and bring to a gentle boil over medium-high heat.
Continue cooking, stirring frequently, until the sauce thickens and oil separates from it.
Add the quail and cook for 3–4 minutes, stirring gently.
Cover the pan tightly, reduce the heat to low, and braise the quail for 1 hour 15 minutes until they are tender.
Stir gently every 6–7 minutes.
If the mixture dries out, add a few tablespoons of water.
Five minutes before the cooking ends, sprinkle the garam masala over the quail and stir gently.
Serve hot with basmati rice or naan.
Notes / Tips / Wine Advice:
Serving Tip:Garnish with fresh coriander leaves and serve with naan, basmati rice, or saffron pilaf.Wine Advice:Pair this braised quail with a medium-bodied red wine like Pinot Noir or a full-bodied Syrah, which complement the earthy spices and rich flavors.
This Delhi-style spiced duck is slow-cooked with cinnamon, nutmeg, and garam masala, creating a rich and aromatic dish. Traditionally prepared after winter hunts, this flavorful recipe is perfect for special occasions.
Brown the Duck: Heat 4 tablespoons oil in a large, wide-lidded pan over medium-high heat.
Place the duck pieces, skin-side down, in a single layer and brown for 3–4 minutes per side.
Remove and set aside.
Repeat for all duck pieces.
Sauté the Spices: In the same pan, add the cinnamon stick, cardamom pods, and bay leaves.
Stir for 10 seconds.
Cook the Aromatics: Add the onions and fry until they begin to turn golden brown.
Stir in the garlic and ginger and cook for 1 minute.
Build the Masala: Add the turmeric, cumin, paprika, coriander, cayenne, and garam masala.
Stir for 30 seconds until aromatic.
Add Tomatoes: Stir in the chopped tomatoes and cook for 2–3 minutes until softened.
Scrape the pan to mix everything well.
Simmer the Duck: Return the browned duck to the pan.
Add salt and 475ml (16 fl oz) water.
Stir well, bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to low.
Cover and simmer for 1 hour 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Final Touches: Check for salt.
Add the ground cinnamon and nutmeg, then simmer for 5 more minutes.
Rest & Serve: Let the duck rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes / Tips / Wine Advice:
Serving Tip:Garnish with fresh coriander and serve with steamed basmati rice, naan, or jeera rice.Wine Advice:Pair this Delhi-style duck with a bold red wine like Syrah or Malbec, which complement the deep spices and rich duck flavor.
This Bogra-style chicken rizala is a rich and mildly sweet-and-sour dish with tender chicken, caramelized onions, and creamy yogurt. A classic from North Bengal, this dish is made entirely without spices but boasts deep, complex flavors.
1whole chickenabout 1.75kg, skinned and cut into small pieces
6tablespoonsnatural yogurt
1½teaspoonssalt
6–10 whole bird’s eye chilliesslit slightly
1¾teaspoonssugar
2tablespoonslemon or lime juice
Instructies
Fry the Onions: Heat enough oil in a large frying pan to a depth of about 3mm (⅛ in) over medium heat.
Add the sliced onions and fry for 8 minutes until they begin to brown.
Reduce the heat to medium-low, stir, and fry for 2 more minutes.
Lower the heat to low and continue frying until most onions turn a deep reddish-brown (about 12 more minutes).
Drain & Cool: Transfer the fried onions to a sieve over a bowl, letting excess oil drain.
Spread them on kitchen paper to dry.
Once completely cool, crumble them and set aside.
Prepare the Paste: Blend the remaining onions, ginger, and garlic in a blender with 3–4 tablespoons water until smooth.
Cook the Paste: Heat 4 tablespoons onion oil and 1 tablespoon ghee in a large, non-stick, lidded pan over medium-high heat.
Add the blended paste and cook for 5 minutes until lightly browned.
Brown the Chicken: Add the chicken pieces and stir for 1 minute.
Over the next 5 minutes, add 1 tablespoon of yogurt at a time while stirring, allowing the chicken to brown.
Simmer the Chicken: Add 175ml (6 fl oz) water, the crumbled onions, and salt.
Stir and bring to a gentle simmer.
Cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer for 20 minutes, occasionally turning the chicken.
Final Touches: Add the chillies, sugar, and lemon/lime juice, stirring to mix.
Cover and continue cooking over low heat for another 10 minutes.
Serve Hot: Serve immediately with plain basmati rice or naan.
Notes / Tips / Wine Advice:
Serving Tip:Garnish with fresh coriander leaves and serve with steamed basmati rice, paratha, or naan.Wine Advice:Pair this Sweet and Sour Chicken Rizala with a light and fruity white wine like Gewürztraminer or a dry Riesling to balance its mild sweetness and acidity.
These creamy and delicately spiced Reshmi Tikka Kebabs are incredibly tender, thanks to a rich marinade of cream, lemon, and aromatic spices. Perfect for grilling or oven roasting!
675gbonelessskinless chicken breasts, cut into 2½ cm (1 in) pieces
1¼teaspoonssalt
3tablespoonslemon juice
1tablespoonfinely grated fresh ginger
2garlic clovespeeled and crushed to a pulp
1teaspoonground cumin
1teaspoonbright red paprika
½teaspooncayenne pepper
6tablespoonswhipping cream
½teaspoongaram masala
3tablespoonscorn oil or peanut oil
Instructies
Place the chicken pieces in a bowl.
Add salt and lemon juice, then rub them in thoroughly.
Lightly prod the chicken with the tip of a knife and rub the seasonings in again.
Let it sit for 20 minutes.
Add the ginger, garlic, cumin, paprika, cayenne pepper, cream, and garam masala.
Mix well, ensuring the chicken is fully coated.
Cover and refrigerate for 6–8 hours (overnight for best results).
Preheat the grill or oven to high heat.
Thread the marinated chicken pieces onto skewers.
If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for at least 30 minutes beforehand to prevent burning.
Brush the chicken lightly with oil and place the skewers on a shallow baking tray.
Grill for 6 minutes per side (about 12 minutes total) or until lightly browned and fully cooked through.
Ensure the internal temperature reaches 75°C (165°F).
Serve hot with naan, raita, or mint chutney.
Notes / Tips / Wine Advice:
Serving Tip:Garnish with fresh coriander and a squeeze of lemon. Serve with naan, basmati rice, or fresh salad for a complete meal.Wine Advice:Pair these Reshmi Tikka Kebabs with a crisp Sauvignon Blanc or a light Rosé to complement the delicate creaminess and spices.
Put the natural yoghurt into a bowl and beat it lightly until it is smooth and creamy. Add half the salt, some black pepper, the ground cumin, ground coriander, chilli powder and green coriander. Mix and set aside.
Salt and pepper the chicken pieces on both sides using the remaining ½ teaspoon salt. Put the oil in a wide, preferably non-stick pan and set over medium–high heat. When hot, put in the cardamom pods, cloves, cinnamon stick and bay leaves. Stir once and add some of the chicken pieces – only as many as the pan will hold easily in a single layer. Brown on both sides and remove to a large bowl. Brown all the chicken pieces in this way and remove to the bowl.
Put the almonds and sultanas into the same hot oil. Stir quickly. The almonds should turn golden and the sultanas should plump up – which will happen very fast. Now return the chicken and its accumulated juices to the pan. Add the seasoned natural yoghurt. Stir to mix and bring to a simmer. Cover, turn the heat to low and simmer gently for 20 minutes, stirring once or twice during this period. Remove the cover, turn the heat up a bit and reduce the sauce until it is thick and just clings to the chicken pieces. Turn the chicken pieces over gently as you do this.
This aromatic chicken dish is infused with bold spices like cardamom, black pepper, and cinnamon, creating a rich and flavorful meal perfect for any occasion.
450gboned and skinned chicken breastssliced into 3 mm thick pieces
To cook the chicken:
150gonionssliced into fine half-rings
3tablespoonscorn or olive oil
1mediumstick cinnamon
8whole cardamom pods
½teaspoonground cumin
½teaspoonground coriander
4tablespoonsnatural yoghurt
5tablespoonsgrated tomato
1teaspoonsalt
¼teaspoongaram masala
3teaspoonslemon juice
Instructies
Prepare the marinade: In a blender, combine the chopped onion, ginger, garlic, salt, cayenne pepper, black pepper, and water.
Blend until smooth, scraping down the sides as needed.
Place the sliced chicken in a bowl and coat well with the marinade.
Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes (up to 3 hours for more flavor).
Cook the chicken: Heat 3 tablespoons of oil in a non-stick pan over medium-high heat.
Add the cinnamon stick and cardamom pods, stirring for about 10 seconds.
Add the sliced onions and fry for 6–7 minutes, stirring continuously, until they turn reddish-brown.
Stir in the cumin and coriander, followed by the natural yoghurt, adding one tablespoon at a time and stirring until absorbed.
Add the grated tomato and cook for another minute.
Reduce the heat to medium and add the marinated chicken along with the marinade.
Stir and cook for about 3–4 minutes, or until all the chicken pieces turn white.
Pour in 175 ml (6 fl oz) water, then add salt, garam masala, and lemon juice.
Stir well and bring to a gentle simmer.
Reduce the heat to low and cook uncovered for 2–3 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Remove the whole cinnamon stick and cardamom pods before serving.
Notes / Tips / Wine Advice:
Serving Tip:Serve this spiced chicken with basmati rice or warm naan to soak up the flavorful sauce.Wine Advice:Pair this aromatic dish with a medium-bodied white wine such as a Gewürztraminer or a dry Riesling to complement the warm spices.