The Summer Holiday is fading into the distance, it ended Four Days ago…. time to get back into the Kitchen, today – Experimental Curry Cooking.
A Kilo of Lamb on-the-bone has been lurking in the freezer for some time, no more. The Pressure Cooker has been used Once to prepare Curry with less than satisfactory results. The Plan today was to cook something North-West Indian, even further North and West. No Turmeric, no Red Chilli Powder, no Measured Quantities, go for it.
The Lamb was browned in Hot Oil and Ground Garam Masala. This was then removed from the Pot. That’s what you do in some Recipes, others disagree.
One and a Half Large Onions, and every out-of-date Tomato in Hector’s House was added along with Ginger and Garlic Pastes. Solid Garam Masala Bits were added, Lemon Juice was the Only Liquid. Big Green Chillies today.
Hector was attempting to create A Dry Karahi-style Curry. The Liquid just kept multiplying, too many Tomatoes? I saw a Video-clip of an Afghanistan Karahi with no Onions, only Tomatoes. How did that work?
Hector was Hungry
It could have taken another half hour to reduce the Liquid. Salt, nearly forgot the Salt. In went the Lamb, on went the Pressure Cooker Lid. Twenty Minutes later off comes the Lid, just how Wet could a Curry be? This needed Rice. Ten minutes to cook Rice, ten minutes to reduce the Liquid. Fresh Ginger Strips and more Big Green Chillies were added.
Success was partial, the Masala was slowly thickening. A Bit of Yoghurt, with hindsight I should have removed the Portion I planned to eat and then heated that towards Dryness and add the Yoghurt then.
I have always claimed I can make a Curry look like anything one may ask, this didn’t look too bad in the end.
The Lamb would have benefited from another Five Minutes under Pressure, still a bit Chewy, but within Acceptable Parameters. More Seasoning required. Fresh Coriander was dismissed, no Methi either, I was determined to discover Raw Curry. Lots of Sucky Bones. Not too Shabby – was my conclusion. Not Over-spiced. A Reasonable Flavour. Left overnight and more Liquid boiled off and this could be something.
The Lady may have more to say…
Two Hours Later
A Pleasant Surprise. Marg did find the Curry to be Spicy, and Very Dry. The Lamb is Very Tender. Because it was so Dark, I would call it Earthy. Patience pays dividends. Now to wash a Pot.