Author: RB

Ingredients

Ghee – 4 tbs.
Mustard Seeds – 1.5 tbs.
Garlic cloves, crushed – 2
Cardamom seeds, crushed – 2 tsp.
Ground Coriander – 1tbs.
Fresh root ginger, peeled and chopped – 1.5 inches
Lean boned lamb, cubed – 2 lb.
Medium Onion chopped – 1
Green Chilies, chopped – 3
Sugar – 1 tsp.
Turmeric – 1 tsp.
Spinach, trimmed, washed and chopped – 2 lb.
Salt – 1.5 tsp.
Black Pepper – .5 tsp.
Yogurt – 3 Tbs.

Method

Fry until the seeds begin to pop. Stir in the garlic, cardamom, coriander and ginger and fry for one minute, stirring constantly. Add the lamb cubes and fry until they are evenly browned. Stir in the onion, chilies and sugar and fry until the onion is golden brown. Stir int he turmeric and spinach and cook for three minutes. add the remaining ingredients and reduce the heat to low. Cover and simmer for one hour or until the meat is cooked through and tender and stir well. Preheat the oven to cool 150 C (Gas Mark 2, 300 F). Put the casserole into the oven and cook for 20 minutes. Remove from the oven and serve at once.
4-6 servings.

From _The World of Cooking: Indian Cooking by Isabel Moore 1973

Madhur Jaffrey’s Flavours of India
This rich, flavoursome dish originates in the fertile Punjab, a state now divided between India and Pakistan. There is nothing more important to a Punjabi man’s diet than bread, and meals are accompanied by flat round cornbread rotis or rich, flaky pan-fried paratha layered with ghee (clarified butter). Rice is reserved for special occasions or for rice pudding, for the only food that makes a Punjabi feel he has eaten a proper meal is his bread! You of course, can serve this dish with plain boiled rice.

Ingredients

3 in piece of fresh ginger peeled and coarsely chopped
3 tbsps peeled and coarsely chopped garlic
6-8 lamb chops from the ribs, remove all extra fat
8 fl oz grated or finely chopped tomatoes
2 medium sized onions very finely chopped
1 tbsp cayenne
12 fl oz Greek yoghurt beaten
1 1/2 tsps salt
1 tsp ground roasted cumin seeds
1-2 tsps Punjabi garam masala
3 tbsps lemon juice
2-3 tbsps chopped fresh green coriander

Method

Put the ginger and garlic into the container of an electric blender with 2-3 tablespoons of water and blend to a paste. Put the chops, tomatoes, onions, cayenne pepper, yoghurt, salt and ginger-garlic paste into a large wok or heavy-bottomed saucepan. Stir and bring to the boil. Turn the heat to low, cover and simmer for 50 minutes or until the chops are almost cooked. Add the cumin seeds and simmer for 10 to 15 minutes or until the meat is tender and the sauce thick. Add the garam masala and lemon juice and stir. Sprinkle fresh coriander over the top and serve.

TIPS
In the Punjab, tomatoes are grated to make a puree. Don’t be tempted to use ready-prepared tomato puree instead of fresh. The spice combinations in garam masala vary in different parts of India. In the Punjab this one which you can try making yourself is common: 5 tbsps coriander seeds, 3 tbsps cumin seeds, 2 1/2 tbsps black peppercorns, 2 1/2 black cardamom seeds, 2 in cinnamon stick, 4-5 cloves, 1/6 nutmeg. Put the coriander and the cumin into a cast-iron frying-pan over a medium heat. Stir until lightly roasted. Allow to cool. Grind with the remaining ingredients in a clean coffee grinder and store in a tightly lidded jar.
Copyright of the British Broadcasting Corporation

This dish from the Punjab takes only 30 minutes to prepare. In India fresh tomatoes would be used in this dish.

Ingredients

4 medium onions, chopped
2 tablespoons curry powder
1/2 cup butter or cooking oil
1 cup or 1 can (8 ounces)tomato sauce
2 teaspoons salt
1 frying chicken (2 to 3 pounds)
3/4 cup hot water

Method

Use a casserole or large skillet with lid. Cook onions and curry powder in butter for 10 to 15 minutes. Add tomato sauce and salt. Disjoint and skin chicken, and place in sauce. Cook, uncovered, over medium heat, turning frequently until sauce becomes quite dry and chicken tests done with fork, about 15 minutes. Add hot water, cover pot, and cook over low heat for 5 minutes. Makes 4 servings.

Move over Hoppin’ John; blackeye peas is steppin’ out Indian style. This dish is from Chef-owner Kuldip Chand of Chandni Vegetarian Cuisine of India in Culver City, CA. He is from the Punjab and the man knows his dals.

Ingredients

2 cups blackeyes
1 1/2 teaspoons salt, or to taste
1 1/2 teaspoons ground coriander
3/4 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
2 tablespoons oil
1 small onion, chopped
2 large cloves garlic, chopped
1 (3/4-inch piece) ginger root, peeled and chopped
Scant 1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds
1 medium tomato, chopped

Method

In pot soak beans overnight in water to cover generously. Next day, drain beans, cover with fresh water and bring to boil. Add salt, coriander, cumin and turmeric. Simmer until beans are just tender, about
30 to 45 minutes. Heat oil in deep saucepan. Add onion, garlic, ginger and cumin. Fry
10 minutes and add tomato. Cook another 5 minutes and add beans and cooking liquid. Continue to simmer, uncovered, until beans are soft but not completely dissolved. Mixture should be soupy. Makes 6 to 8 servings.

Ingredients

2 medium onions
1 cup milk
2 tbs. chopped fresh ginger root
2 TB Punjabi garam masala
6 tbs. butter or vegetable oil
1 tsp. ground turmeric
3-4 lb. chicken, skin removed, cut
2-3 fresh green cayenne peppers, minced, into small pieces or serranos/jalapenos as substitute
1 cup fresh plain yogurt
Salt and ground cayenne to taste
1/4 cup almonds, ground A few strands whole saffron, soaked in 2 tbs. warm milk
1/4 cup walnuts, ground

Method

Minced fresh cilantro and whole 1/4 cup melon, pumpkin or squash seeds almonds/cashews for garnish (optional), ground
Put the onions and ginger in a blender or food processor and process into a smooth paste (consistency of apple sauce). Heat the butter or oil in a heavy, deep skillet and gently brown the onion-ginger mixture, stirring often. Add the chicken and yogurt. Combine well and cook over medium heat until the mixture becomes rather dry and the chicken begins to brown. Grind the almonds, walnuts and melon seeds until quite fine. Stir them into the milk, then add the mixture to the chicken along with the garam masala, turmeric, chili peppers, salt and ground cayenne. Cook over medium heat, stirring often, until the chicken is very tender and the sauce is very thick (about 10-15 minutes). Stir in the saffron/milk mixture and cook 1-2 minutes longer.
Serves 4

Sucha Pannu Singh is another native of Punjab, who now lives in Portland, OR. You can substitute supermarket lentils for the masoor dal in this recipe, but if you’ve ever had masoor dal, you’ll know regular lentils are a poor substitute. Serve this dish with rice and a green salad. Chapati or whole-wheat flour tortillas can be served to help scoop up the dal.

Ingredients

2 cups masoor dal Water
1 1/2 teaspoons garam masala
1 1/2 teaspoons turmeric
1 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup oil
1 1/2 onions, chopped
1 head garlic, separated, chopped
1 (1-inch piece) ginger root, chopped
2 jalapeno chiles, chopped
2 tomatoes, chopped
1 bunch cilantro, chopped

Method

Rinse dal thoroughly, until water is clear. In pot bring 1 quart water to boil. Add dal. Cook half way, about 10 to 15 minutes, add 1/2 teaspoon garam masala, 1/2 teaspoon turmeric and salt. As dal cooks, uncovered, water will evaporate and mixture will thicken. Add more water to keep dal loose, like texture of thick cream. When dal is soft, turn off heat. Heat oil in wok. When oil is very hot, add onions and cook until tender and translucent but not browned. Add garlic, ginger and chiles. Continue to fry until onions are deep-yellow. Add remaining 1 teaspoon each garam masala and turmeric. Do not allow spices to burn. Keep stirring until mixture starts to stick. Add tomatoes and cilantro. Cook until tomato softens. Pour in pot of dal and simmer to blend flavors. Taste and add more salt if needed. Makes 6 to 8 servings.

“The Best of India” by Balraj Khanna (Collins, 1993): “The Mughals, who ruled India for almost three hundred years, loved eating and entertaining, and rich, creamy dishes such as this formed an essential part of their lavish lifestyle. Serve this very special dish as part of a large meal.”

Ingredients

1 3lb chicken
4 cloves garlic
1 medium fresh green chili
1 2 inch piece ginger
2 c. onion, finely chopped
8 cardamom pods
9 cloves
Total butter: 1 stick

Method

CUT one 3-lb chicken, skin removed, into 10 pieces.

COMBINE and process for 15 seconds: 4 garlic cloves, halved 1 medium fresh hot green chili, seeded, one 2-inch piece fresh ginger, peeled, coarsely chopped

ADD and process 15 seconds: 2 cups finely chopped onions

ADD and process 15 seconds: 8 cardamom pods, cracked 9 cloves

SET ASIDE.

HEAT in large saucepan/ skillet: 3 Tablespoons butter (heat until foam is going down)

BROWN on medium heat: 1/2 the chicken pieces (“lightly browned on all sides) Transfer to plate, repeat with 3 more tablespoons butter and remaining chicken.

ADD TO PAN and cook, stirring constantly: The rest the butter The garlic/onion/spice mixture Cook it for 10 minutes or until liquid has evaporated.

ADD and cook 2 minutes, stirring constantly: 2 teaspoons cumin seeds 1 teaspoon chili powder (unspiced ground chili peppers) One 1 1/2 inch piece cinnamon stick

ADD and cook, stirring often, 10 minutes: One 16 ounce can whole tomatoes, chopped, with juice 1/2 teaspoon salt (sounds silly, with that in butter and tomatoes)

ADD: The chicken and its juices

REDUCE HEAT to low, cook covered 30 minutes, until chicken is tender and sauce is thickened.

GARNISH WITH: 1/4 cup fresh coriander (for 6)