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Rajasthani Red Meat

When this dish is served in the Rajasthan desert region of India, its color, coming mainly from ground hot chilies, is a fiery red. I have moderated the heat by mixing cayenne pepper with more calming paprika. Use a fresh red paprika if you want the proper color. This is generally served with Indian flatbreads, but rice would be fine too. A calming green, such as spinach or Swiss chard, could be served on the side. For more robust flavors, have one of the eggplant dishes with it.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    serves 4¿6

Ingredients

1/4 cup olive or canola oil
Two 3-inch cinnamon sticks
6 whole cloves
10 cardamom pods
1 large (8 ounces) red onion, chopped finely
2 teaspoons very finely grated peeled fresh ginger
4 garlic cloves, crushed to a pulp
1 tablespoon ground coriander
2 pounds stewing lamb, preferably from the shoulder
1 1/2 teaspoons salt, or to taste
1/2–1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
2 tablespoons bright red paprika
3 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro

Preparation

  1. Pour the oil into a large, heavy pan and set over medium-high heat. When hot, put in the cinnamon sticks, cloves, and cardamom. Let the spices sizzle for a few seconds. Put in the onions. Stir and fry until they turn a reddish brown. Add the ginger, garlic, and coriander. Stir for a minute. Add the lamb, salt, cayenne, and paprika. Stir the lamb around for 3–4 minutes. Now add 4 cups water and bring to a boil. Cover, turn heat to low, and simmer about 70 minutes or until the meat is tender. Sprinkle the cilantro over the top when serving.

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Excerpted from At Home with Madhur Jaffrey: Simple, Delectable Dishes from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka by Madhur Jaffrey. Copyright © 2010 by Random House. Excerpted by permission of Alfred A. Knopf, a division of Random House LLC. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher. Buy the full book from Amazon.
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