I have fond memories of the Indian rogan josh as a kid. Mom made it with mutton (goat meat). So, we called it mutton rogan josh. As kids, we simply called it mutton curry (what is mutton? we discussed it when I shared my recipe for Lamb Masala). This is an authentic North Indian (Kashmir) dish and consists of cooking the meat in oil at intense heat. The name Rogan Josh means red passion. Rogan means red color and josh means passion or heat. Often, people think this dish is spicy. But that’s not true. In fact, this dish is red, and yet, not necessarily spicy. Having said that, an Indian curry without a little heat feels incomplete. And, in India, we love that spicy edge to our curries.
Step-by-step: Easy lamb rogan josh recipe
Lamb – Trim off excess fat and cut lamb into 2 to 3-inch cubes. Season with salt and pepper. Add the garlic and ginger and combine well.Pro tip – you want the lamb to be about bite size but not too small so it breaks apart during cooking or too large as it takes longer to cook on the stovetop.
Marinade – Combine all marinade ingredients in a bowl, and combine well. Then, add lamb to the marinade and set it aside to marinate for an hour on the counter or in the fridge overnight.Pro tip – Always use glass or stainless steel to marinate. Do not use aluminum as it can oxidize with the acid in the marinade. Also, avoid plastic as it can get stained from the spices. Whole spice – Add the spices to a mortar and pestle. Lightly pound to crush them – you want the cardamoms to open and the cinnamon a bit smaller.Pro tip – You can open the cardamom with a knife and leave the cinnamon whole if you don’t want the flavor to be too strong. Alternatively, you can use 1/2 tsp garam masala at the end of the cooking in the recipe.
In a dutch oven or heavy-bottom saute pan, add one tablespoon of oil or ghee. And sauté the whole spices for a minute. Then, add the onions with a pinch of salt. Saute onions until lightly golden – about 5 to 7 minutes.Pro tip – Caramelizing the onions in this recipe is very important. So don’t make haste and don’t cook on very high heat. We want the onions caramelized not burnt. Once the onions have been caramelized, add the marinated lamb and remaining oil/ghee.Pro tip – If the lamb you are using has excess fat, you can omit the extra oil or ghee.
Cook on high for 2 minutes while stirring constantly until the meat is no longer pink.Pro tip – The high heat will sear the meat on all sides keeping the pieces moist inside. Next, add 1/2 cup water and let comes to a boil. Cover the pan, lower the heat, and let simmer on low until the lamb is cooked to fork-tender, about 1½ to 2 hours.Pro tip – The meat will release its juices, but If necessary, add more water to prevent it from sticking to the bottom. When the lamb is fork-tender, taste and adjusts the seasoning. Garnish with fresh herbs like cilantro (fresh coriander). Enjoy!
Frequently asked questions
Creative ways to serve rogan josh
Traditional Style: Conventionally serve rogan josh curry with steamed basmati rice or fragrant saffron rice. Garnish with fresh coriander leaves (cilantro) and serve with warm naan bread or roti on the side. This classic combination allows you to savor the rich flavors of the dish. Lamb Rogan Josh Stuffed Bell Peppers: Transform your lamb rogan josh into a filling for stuffed bell peppers. Cut the tops off the bell peppers and remove the seeds. Stuff the peppers with a mixture of lamb rogan josh and cooked rice or couscous. Bake in the oven until the peppers are tender and the filling is heated. This dish provides a unique and colorful presentation. Lamb Rogan Josh Bowls: Build flavorful bowls by layering lamb rogan josh over a base of cooked quinoa, couscous, or rice. Add a variety of toppings such as diced tomatoes, cucumber slices, shredded lettuce, chopped mint, and a drizzle of yogurt or tahini sauce. These bowls make for a wholesome and satisfying meal. Lamb Rogan Josh Pies: Create individual-sized lamb rogan josh pies by filling small pastry cases or puff pastry cups with the roganjosh. Bake them until the pastry is golden and crisp. These savory pies can be served as appetizers or a main course with a side salad.
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