LAMB CURRY WITH PEAS

Lamb Curry with Peas image

For this curry, cubes of lamb become meltingly tender and richly flavored after a long, slow braise with spices like cinnamon, cardamon and turmeric. Thick Yukon Gold potatoes and frozen peas add some additional texture, while a half cup of whole-milk yogurt adds a refreshing creaminess. Recipe developed by Food Network Kitchen.

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Time 1h30m

Yield 4 to 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 19

Ingredients

2 pounds lamb stew meat
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
1/4 cup vegetable oil
4 green cardamom pods
1 1-inch piece cinnamon stick
1 whole clove
2 onions, thinly sliced
1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
4 cloves garlic, grated
2 teaspoons ground coriander
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon Kashmiri chili powder or hot paprika
1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
3 small plum tomatoes, diced
1 pound Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and cut into 1 1/2-inch chunks
1 cup frozen peas
1/2 cup plain whole-milk yogurt
Cooked basmati rice, for serving
Chopped fresh mint, for topping

Steps:

Season the lamb with salt and pepper. Heat 2 tablespoons vegetable oil in a large Dutch oven over high heat. Add the lamb in a single layer and brown, turning once, 3 to 4 minutes per side. Remove to a plate. Reduce the heat to medium high and add the remaining 2 tablespoons vegetable oil to the pot along with the cardamom pods, cinnamon stick and clove. Cook, stirring, until the whole spices are toasted, about 20 seconds.
Add the onions, season with 1/2 teaspoon salt and cook, stirring occasionally, until soft and browned, 8 to 10 minutes. Add the ginger and garlic and cook, stirring, until golden, about 2 minutes. Add the coriander, cumin, chili powder and turmeric; cook, stirring and scraping the pan, until the ground spices are toasted, about 30 seconds.
Add the tomatoes to the pot and cook, stirring, until they break down, 4 to 5 minutes. Add the lamb and any juices from the plate. Stir in 1 3/4 cups water and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium low, cover and simmer until the lamb is almost cooked through and the sauce has thickened slightly, 1 hour 15 minutes.
Tuck the potatoes among the lamb pieces, submerging them in the liquid; season with 1/2 teaspoon salt. Cover and simmer until the potatoes are cooked through, 18 to 20 minutes. Uncover and simmer, turning the potatoes occasionally, until the curry is thickened, 8 to 10 minutes. Stir in the peas and heat through.
Remove the curry from the heat and stir in the yogurt. Thin with water, if necessary; season with salt. Serve with rice and top with mint.