Maunika Gowardhan’s lamb fry (Kolhapuri kaala lamb sukka)

Method

1. Put the lamb in a large bowl. Put the garlic and yogurt in a blender and whizz to a paste. Mix into the lamb and marinate for 1 hour in the fridge or preferably overnight.
2. Add the lamb to a large pan and cook without any oil for 40 minutes over a medium heat with a lid on. Stir halfway through. The yogurt and the moisture from the lamb will keep it from drying out. Set aside while you prepare a paste.
3. Meanwhile, heat the oven to 200°C fan/gas 7. Put the halved onions and chillies on a lined baking tray, drizzle with the oil, then roast in the oven for 35 40 minutes. They will begin to colour and go dark brown. Don’t worry if some of the mixture begins to get charred – that’s what gives the sauce its flavour. Take the mixture out of the oven and leave to cool slightly.
4. Separately, add the coconut to a frying pan and dry-fry over a medium heat for 10-12 minutes, stirring continuously. Transfer to a plate and leave to cool. In the same pan, add the kaala masala spices and toast for 2-3 minutes. Leave to cool. Grind the spices to a fine powder in a large pestle and mortar and set aside. In the same pestle and mortar, grind the roasted onions and chillies, the coconut and 120ml water. Grind to a smooth paste, then set aside (Alternatively, whizz the spices, then the onion mixture, in a food processor.)
5. To make the lamb sukka, heat the 3 tbsp oil in a large heavy-based saucepan over a medium heat. Add the curry leaves, then as they begin to splutter, add the chopped onions and fry for 10-12 minutes. Stir in the onion and coconut paste and fry for 3 minutes, stirring well. Now add the cooked lamb and mix well for 2-3 minutes. Season to taste and add the sugar along with 50ml water. Stir well and simmer over a low heat for 18-20 minutes with the lid on, stirring occasionally. Finally, add 2 heaped teaspoons of the Kolhapuri kaala masala and simmer for 5 minutes. Add lemon juice to taste and serve warm with chapati or rice.