Lamb Rogan Josh

The definitive Kashmiri lamb curry — deep red, aromatic, and rich without being heavy.

Ingredients

• 2 lbs lamb shoulder, cut into 2-inch chunks
• 1 large onion, finely diced
• 1 cup plain yogurt
• 4 tbsp vegetable oil
• Whole spices: 4 green cardamom, 2 black cardamom, 4 cloves, 1 cinnamon stick
• Ground spices: 2 tbsp Kashmiri chili powder (for color, mild heat), 1 tsp ginger, 1 tsp fennel seeds, 1/2 tsp asafoetida
• Salt
• Fresh coriander

Directions

Brown lamb pieces in batches in hot oil. Remove.

1. Fry whole spices 1 minute in remaining oil. Add onion and cook until golden.
2. Add Kashmiri chili powder (this provides the red color), ginger, fennel, and asafoetida.
3. Return lamb. Add yogurt 1 tbsp at a time, stirring well after each addition.
4. Add water to cover half the meat. Season with salt.
5. Cover and simmer 1-1.5 hours until lamb is very tender.
6. Finish with fresh coriander.

Notes

Kashmiri chili powder provides a deep red color with relatively mild heat — it’s not interchangeable with regular chili powder. Authentic rogan josh doesn’t use tomatoes.