Kashmiri Lamb

4.6
(56)

This recipe has been with me for over 30 years; it was given to me by a Kashmiri guy I shared a house with when I was 17. This is his mum's family recipe. Kashmir's cuisine combines the area's fruits and nuts with the ingredients and the cooking style of the Moghuls. This rich stew makes a marvelous main dish. Serve it with hot steamed rice or crusty breads. This is lovely!

close up view of Kashmiri Lamb over white rice garnished with fresh herbs in a bowl
15
15
15
15
Prep Time:
35 mins
Cook Time:
1 hr 30 mins
Total Time:
2 hrs 5 mins
Servings:
6
Yield:
6 servings
Cook Mode (Keep screen awake)

Ingredients

  • 4 dried red chile peppers (such as cayenne)

  • 3 long, green fresh chile peppers (such as Indian Jwala)

  • 1 teaspoon cumin seeds

  • 1 teaspoon Kashmiri garam masala

  • 1 (1 inch) piece fresh ginger root, peeled and grated

  • 5 cloves garlic, crushed

  • ¼ cup dried unsweetened coconut

  • 3 tomatoes, chopped

  • 6 tablespoons vegetable oil

  • 2 large onions, thinly sliced

  • 2 pounds lamb meat, cut into 1 1/2-inch cubes

  • salt to taste

  • ½ teaspoon ground turmeric

  • 1 cup plain yogurt

  • ½ teaspoon saffron threads

  • 20 whole blanched almonds

  • ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro

Directions

  1. Place red chiles, green chiles, cumin seeds, garam masala, ginger, garlic, grated coconut, and tomatoes into a blender; pulse several times to chop, then blend into a smooth paste.

  2. Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Stir in onion; cook and stir until the onion has softened and turned translucent, about 5 minutes. Reduce heat to medium-low, and continue cooking and stirring until the onion is very tender and golden brown, 10 to 15 minutes more.

  3. Stir the spice paste into the onion and cook and stir until the oil separates from the mixture, about 3 minutes.

  4. Stir in lamb pieces and salt. Cook, stirring frequently over medium-high heat, until the lamb pieces are browned on all sides, about 8 minutes.

  5. Mix in yogurt, saffron, and blanched almonds until well combined.

  6. Reduce the heat to low and simmer, covered, until the meat is tender and the gravy is thick, about 1 hour.

  7. Garnish the curry with chopped cilantro before serving.

Cook’s Note

You can also make this with mutton, goat, or beef. It is one of those recipes that tastes great the next day, too!

Warning: Make this with Scotch bonnet or hotter peppers at your own risk!

Editor's Note:

To make this recipe in a slow cooker, follow steps 1 through 3. You may brown the lamb before adding it to the slow cooker, if you like (step 4). Combine all of the ingredients except the yogurt and cilantro in a slow cooker and cook on low for 8 to 10 hours. Stir in the yogurt; cover and cook for 10 minutes more. Top with cilantro before serving.

90 home cooks made it!

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

489 Calories
35g Fat
16g Carbs
28g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 6
Calories 489
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 35g 45%
Saturated Fat 12g 59%
Cholesterol 88mg 29%
Sodium 132mg 6%
Total Carbohydrate 16g 6%
Dietary Fiber 4g 13%
Total Sugars 9g
Protein 28g 56%
Vitamin C 70mg 78%
Calcium 134mg 10%
Iron 3mg 17%
Potassium 800mg 17%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.