Dahi Malai Methi Gosht (Creamy Yogurt and Fenugreek Lamb Curry)

I picked up some stewing lamb on sale a while back. I don't often get lamb; too expensive. But we all really like it, so when it goes on sale, I try to make sure to get some. Then it's just a matter of trying to decide which of the many, many lamb recipes to cook.

I had also bookmarked a tasty-looking lamb biryani recipe for this. But it required a lengthy marinade and I didn't have time for that by the time I was getting started, so I opted for this fenugreek curry instead. Maybe next time I can try the biryani...

Dahi Malai Methi Gosht

Slightly adapted from 660 Curries by Raghavan Iyer

Ingredients

• 1/2 c. plain yogurt
• 1 tsp. coarse sea salt
• 1 onion, half sliced, half chopped
• 8-10 cloves garlic
• 5-6 fresh green Thai, finger, or serrano chilies
• 3 (4x3x0.3cm) slices fresh ginger
• 450g stewing lamb
• 2 Tbsp. ghee
• 1 c. chopped fresh or frozen fenugreek (or 1/2 c. dried fenugreek, reconstituted)
• 1 c. water
• 1/4 c. heavy (35%) cream¹

Directions

1. Combine the yogurt, salt, chopped onion, garlic, chilies, and ginger in a blender and purée until smooth.
2. Pour the marinade over the lamb and toss to combine.
3. Cover and chill for at least 30 minutes and as long as overnight.
4. When ready to cook, heat ghee over medium-high heat.
5. Add the sliced onion and stir-fry until edges brown (3-5 minutes).
6. Add the lamb along wiht all of the marinade and cook, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until the liquid has evaporated (~15 minutes).
7. Add the fenugreek leaves and water and bring to a boil.
8. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the lamb is tender and the sauce has thickened (~30 minutes).
9. Mix in the cream and allow to heat through (~2 minutes).
10. Serve with naan and/or rice.

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¹ Heavy cream, of course, gives you the richest, most unctuous results, but you can get away with half-and-half (10% MF) in a pinch. (Either because you're trying to cut calories or if, like me, you find your cream has gone off and half-and-half is all you can get to replace it on short notice.) ^Back