Rogan Josh
Like many of my parents recipes, Rogan Josh is a labor of love, made at leisure, for special occasions and special people. What most people find surprising is that one of the most loved Kashmiri dishes requires no complex ingredients or spices with unpronounceable names. Rogan Josh also does not call for onions or garlic!
The simplicity of this dish is one the reasons it is a favorite at my house. Prepare this with love and enjoy with rice and muli (Radish) chutney.
Succulent goat, slow cooked in a spicy gravy.
- 3 lb Lamb/ Goat (Leg and shoulder pieces)
- Salt (to taste)
- 2 tbsp Mustard Oil
- 1/2 cup Plain Yogurt
- 2 Star Anise Pods
- 2 Black Cardamom Pods (Crushed)
- 1/2 tsp Shahi Jeera/ Black Cumin
- 5-6 Cloves (laung)
- 1 Inch Cinnamom Stick
- 3 tbsp Kashmiri Chilli Powder
- 1/2 cup Plain Yogurt
- 3 tsp Fennel Powder
- 1/2 tsp Ginger powder
- Salt (or to taste)
- 1 tsp garlic powder (Optional)
- 1 tsp Coriander Powder (Optional)
- 1/2 tsp Asafetida or a pinch of pure Asafetida dissolved in water
- In a thick-bottomed pot (a dutch oven works best), heat mustard oil till it smokes. Lower the heat and let the oil cool down.
Wash and drain the goat/lamb and add to the pot. Add salt and fry the meat on medium heat till the meat is browned - approximately for 30 minutes.
Add 1/2 cup whipped yogurt to the meat. Mix well and continue frying until the yogurt sticks to the meat. This will take another 20 to 30 minutes. Remove fried meat and keep aside in a bowl and retain the left over oil/fat in the pan.
Keep the pot back on the heat. On medium heat, add the whole spices and asafetida to the left over fat. Add Kashmiri chili powder and saute briefly. Add splashes of water to ensure that the chili powder does not burn. Add the browned meat and mix
Add remaining yogurt, 1.5 cups of water, dry spices and stir to mix with the meat. Bring to a simmer.
- Slow cook the meat
You can slow cook the meat on the stove top, in an oven or in a slow cooker.
Option 1: Preheat oven to 350 F. Cover the pot with a heavy lid. Cook for 1 Hr.
Option 2: Cover the pot with a heavy lid, reduce heat to low and simmer for 1.25 hours on stovetop.
Option 3: Leave in slow cooker, on a low setting for 5 hours.
The time and settings above may differ based on appliances used. Use your judgement to vary the time accordingly.
