Complex cooking was not part of the plan for today, however, a bowlful of Tomatoes had other ideas.
It’s now or never – they seemed to cry. So much for being led to believe that storing Tomatoes in the fridge is a bad idea.
Recent posts under the – Hector’s Cooking – banner have been somewhat ad hoc, ok experimental. Why can the Hector not simply follow his own Recipes? They work. Burning the Onions has been a feature of late, today, this was avoided by using Dry Fried Onion instead of fresh. The addition of water, as and when, virtually guarantees success.
For the protein, Lamb, of a sort. Spotted recently in my local butcher, what Mother used to purchase for Curry, a cut called – skirting. The apprentice butcher who sold it, had not heard of this term.
Three pre-packed pieces were purchased, only one was defrosted for today’s undertaking. Enough for a portion, and spot the rib. I often find ribs served as part of Karahi Gosht in my favoured Curry Cafes, so maybe they too use – skirting.
Cumin Seeds and a piece of Cinnamon were fried in hot Oil, no Cardamom today, both Black and Green were hiding.
The equivalent of one Onion and the Meat were stirred in. Browning the Meat, not something that is done in Punjabi households, I have been told.
In another pot, the halved Tomatoes were fried in Oil as has also been demonstrated in earlier posts. Patience required, in time the skins do start to separate and can be removed with tongs.
Having done so, the Tomatoes turn to pulp quickly when added to the beginnings of the Masala. Almost instant gratification, the Masala looks efficacious much quicker than using fresh Onions and tinned Tomatoes.
Had this not worked so well, the Meat could have been rescued and used elsewhere. 
With confidence high, time to commit the remaining base ingredients: Garlic, Ginger, Salt, Green Chillies, Kasoori Methi, and not forgetting teaspoons of Turmeric and Chilli Powder. All a bit back to front, but cooking does permit improvisation.
Hector has been adding Spinach to all sorts of dinners cooked of late. In went a swadge, stirred in, thus creating Hector’s favoured style of Palak Gosht, i.e. a Masala with Spinach. Not a Mash of Herbs with no identifiable Masala.
At this point I could have served this Curry as Palak Gosht, however, with so much Masala compared to solids, Potato was calling.
A leftover portion of Basmati was rescued from the freezer and defrosted in the microwave. Mushroom Rice: the Mushrooms were not quite in as poor condition as the Tomatoes, I did not feel like adding them to the Curry.
Furthermore, some wilting Coriander proved to be in better condition than first thought. For a moment I considered adding Pak Choi, but who puts that in a Curry unless it has the Big Onions and Yellow Sauce?
Cooking at home, for one. One can get away with murder, or could that be suicide?
Three Potatoes were cut into wedges. Adding raw Potato to a Masala, brave Hector. Instinct told me to add some water.
If today’s playful mood has not been captured, then I have failed in my objective. Ten minutes for the Potatoes, then another ten with the Coriander added. The Potatoes were cooked. It appeared that I had enough to feed a family
Aloo Palak Gosht
Spinach, Methi and Coriander, the Herb content was prominent, yet I could take comfort from the knowledge that Onions and Tomatoes were in there too. This Masala had a consistency I could be proud of.
Duly plated, surplus Oil from frying the Mushrooms and Rice, was the only down side. Everything else was a plus. The appearance of the Masala was as good, nay better, than than I have seen for sometime in Hector’s Home Cooking.
The richness of the Masala had to be celebrated. Full on Herb Flavours, comparable to any Curry Cafe serving this in Hector’s preferred style. The Seasoning was deliberately kept lower than in most Curry variants, the Herbs do the heavy lifting. Despite the inclusion of four Green Chillies, the Spice Level was far from demanding.
The Meat had cooked thoroughly, a bit fatty because that is the nature of the cut. Had I been cooking for an audience, the fat layer would have been removed at the time of preparation. And finally, the Aloo, who dares to say that the Hector cannot cook Potatoes?
Cooking for one can be frustrating. By the time you plate the food, you’ve seen enough of it already. Today, satisfaction, and enough quality Masala to keep for another day.
For those who are wondering, a certain Scottish Hockey team have won against South Africa and New Zealand in the past two days.