Make-Ahead Recipe: Lamb Korma

Prep: 15 mins

Cook: 120 mins

Difficulty: Intermediate

Servings: 6 Servings

Autumn is all about the warming, stick-to-your-ribs dishes that sound so good as the weather cools down, but comfort food doesn’t have to mean heavy and cheesy. For the fall pumpkin-carving party I hosted for our latest Gatherings From The Kitchn, I wanted to serve a meal that was fresh and healthy as well as warm and comforting, so I planned a buffet centered around an Indian-themed baked sweet potato bar.

Ingredients

8 cloves garlic
1-inch piece ginger, peeled and roughly chopped
2 tablespoon water
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
3 pounds boneless lamb leg, trimmed of fat and cut into 1-inch cubes
2 yellow onions, finely chopped
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon ground coriander
1/2 teaspoon turmeric
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (or more to taste)
3/4 teaspoon salt (or more to taste)
1/2 cup coconut milk
1 (14-ounce) can diced tomatoes

Instructions

Place the garlic, ginger and water in a blender or small food processor and blend into a smooth paste, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed. Set aside.
Preheat the oven to 225°F and adjust racks to the lower third of the oven. Warm the oil in a large Dutch oven or other heavy, oven-safe pot over high heat. Working in batches, brown the lamb pieces and set them aside in a bowl. Reduce heat to medium-high, add the onions to the pot and cook, stirring to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom, until onions are soft and translucent. Add the spices and salt and toast for 30 seconds to 1 minute, stirring frequently, until very fragrant. Add the garlic-ginger paste and cook for 1 to 2 minutes, stirring frequently, until most of the water in the paste has boiled away.
Add the lamb pieces and their accumulated juices, the coconut milk and the tomatoes to the pan, and stir to combine. Cover, bring to a boil and place in oven. Bake for 1 to 1 1/2 hours, or until lamb is tender. Taste and adjust seasoning.
Can be served immediately, but for best flavor and texture, refrigerate for 1 or 2 days before serving. Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave and serve over rice or a roasted sweet potato.