Enjoy this slow-cooked spiced lamb stew from Pakistan. It's particularly popular during Ramadan and is a staple at weddings and celebrations
4h
Serves
6
Medium
Indian
Ingredients
- 4 tbsp vegetable oil
- 2 tbsp ghee
- 2.5cm (2-inch) piece of ginger finely grated
- 2-3 garlic cloves finely chopped
- 4 lamb shanks
- 1 1/2 tbsp Kashmiri red chilli powder
- 1 tbsp plain flour
- 1 tbsp wholewheat flour
- 1 tbsp fennel seeds
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 2 black cardamom pods
- 2 whole star anise
- 1 1/2 tbsp coriander seeds
- 1 tbsp cumin seeds
- 2 mace blades or 1/2 tsp ground mace
- 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
- 2 tbsp blue poppy seeds (not black)
- 15 whole cloves
- 3/4 tbsp black peppercorns or 2-3 pippali long peppers
- large handful of coriander leaves roughly chopped
- 5cm (2-inch) piece of ginger julienned
- 2 green finger chillies finely chopped
- 6 tbsp crispy fried onions
- 4 lemons cut into wedges
- naan
Preparation
Not specified
Cooking
- In a spice grinder or mini food processor, add all the nihari masala ingredients with 2 tbsp hot water and blitz to a fine paste.
- Set aside 3 tsp of the nihari masala spice blend for serving.
- Heat the oil and ghee in a large, heavy-based pan over medium heat.
- Fry the ginger and garlic until fragrant, around 2 mins.
- Add the lamb and fry all over for 10 mins or until well browned.
- Stir in the Kashmiri red chilli powder, the remaining nihari masala and 1 tsp salt.
- Fry until spices are fragrant, 1-2 mins, adding a splash of water if needed to prevent sticking.
- Add 1.5 litres of water, or just enough to submerge the meat.
- Bring to a simmer, then cook, covered, over a medium-low heat for 45 mins-1 hr.
- Remove 150ml of the cooking liquid and whisk with both flours until combined.
- Return to pan and stir well.
- Cover and cook on a low heat for a further 2 hrs, or until the meat is fall-apart tender.
- Serve garnished with coriander, ginger, chillies, fried onions, lemon wedges, and the reserved spice blend, and naan on the side, if you like.
Plating & Serving
Not specified
Suggested Sides
Recipe Details
