CURRY INDIA RECIPES

1. For the paratha dough, combine the chapati flour in a large bowl with ¾ teaspoon salt and about 200ml cold water, then knead for 10–12 minutes. Shape into a ball, cover with a damp tea towel and leave to rest.
2. Heat most of the vegetable oil in a pan over a medium heat and sauté the onion, garlic and ginger, stirring, for 6–8 minutes, until softening. With a slotted spoon, remove the onion mixture to a bowl and set aside.
3. Toast the mustard and cumin seeds in a dry pan over a medium heat for 30 seconds, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon, until fragrant. Transfer to a large saucepan with the rest of the vegetable oil, tomatoes, curry leaves and remaining spices. Cook for a further 5 minutes over a medium heat.
4. Add the reserved onion mixture, potatoes and chillies and season generously with salt and pepper. Pour in about 600ml water, or enough to just cover the mixture. Bring to a simmer over a low heat, cover with a lid and continue to simmer for 8–10 minutes. Add the cauliflower and cook for another 8–10 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened and the potatoes and cauliflower are tender.
5. Meanwhile, cook the parathas. Place a flat, cast-iron, Indian-style tava over a medium-high heat. If you don’t have one of these, use a frying pan or flat griddle. Divide the dough into 6–8 balls. Lightly flour a flat surface and roll the first ball into a 12cm circle. Lightly brush with the melted butter and place on the hot tava or pan. Cook for a few minutes on each side, or until the bread begins to blacken and blister. Repeat with the remaining dough.
6. Serve immediately with the curry and a bowl of yoghurt on the side.

Put the ghee in a large, sturdy casserole over a medium heat. When hot, add the whole spices and fry for 1 minute, then add the onion and fry for 10 minutes until softened and golden. Stir in the garlic and ginger, fry for 1 minute, then add the ground spices (reserving the extra garam masala and ground fennel) and fry for 30 seconds.

Stir in the tomato puree, then add the lamb and salt and stir to make sure the lamb is well coated in the other ingredients. Pour in the water, bring to a simmer, then cover the pan, reduce the heat to low and simmer gently for 1 hour or until the lamb is tender. Stir in the yoghurt and cream, then season with the extra garam masala and ground fennel. Scatter with the fresh coriander and serve.

1. For the paratha dough, combine the chapati flour in a large bowl with ¾ teaspoon salt and about 200ml cold water, then knead for 10–12 minutes. Shape into a ball, cover with a damp tea towel and leave to rest.
2. Heat most of the vegetable oil in a pan over a medium heat and sauté the onion, garlic and ginger, stirring, for 6–8 minutes, until softening. With a slotted spoon, remove the onion mixture to a bowl and set aside.
3. Toast the mustard and cumin seeds in a dry pan over a medium heat for 30 seconds, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon, until fragrant. Transfer to a large saucepan with the rest of the vegetable oil, tomatoes, curry leaves and remaining spices. Cook for a further 5 minutes over a medium heat.
4. Add the reserved onion mixture, potatoes and chillies and season generously with salt and pepper. Pour in about 600ml water, or enough to just cover the mixture. Bring to a simmer over a low heat, cover with a lid and continue to simmer for 8–10 minutes. Add the cauliflower and cook for another 8–10 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened and the potatoes and cauliflower are tender.
5. Meanwhile, cook the parathas. Place a flat, cast-iron, Indian-style tava over a medium-high heat. If you don’t have one of these, use a frying pan or flat griddle. Divide the dough into 6–8 balls. Lightly flour a flat surface and roll the first ball into a 12cm circle. Lightly brush with the melted butter and place on the hot tava or pan. Cook for a few minutes on each side, or until the bread begins to blacken and blister. Repeat with the remaining dough.
6. Serve immediately with the curry and a bowl of yoghurt on the side.