Slow-cooked curried leg of lamb

Method

1. Heat the oven to 160ºC/140ºC fan/gas 3. Lightly bash the cardamon pods and cinnamon stick in a pestle and mortar to crack open/break up (or use the end of a rolling pin in a bowl). Heat a glug of oil in the casserole over a medium heat. Add the crushed spices and gently toast for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.Œ
2. Add the chilli flakes, cumin, coriander and turmeric and toast for a minute, then add another glug of oil and the onions, garlic, ginger and fresh chillies. Gently fry for 5 minutes or so, stirring every now and then.Œ
3. Pour in the red wine and simmer for a few minutes, then add the chopped tomatoes and stock. Simmer for 10 minutes, then add the sugar, taste and season with salt and pepper.Œ
4. Put the lamb leg on top of the sauce and cover the tin or dish tightly with a double layer of foil. Cook for at least 4 hours, checking at the end of the cooking time to see how tender the lamb is, then cook for another 1-2 hours if you prefer. Let the lamb rest in the tin or dish for 30 minutes, loosely covered with foil.
5. Spoon off any excess fat from the surface of the curried sauce. Transfer the joint to a large board and pull off the meat from the bone using 2 large forks. Serve the meat with lots of the curried sauce and, if you like, steamed rice.