Rogan Josh (Kashmiri Lamb Curry)
Local name: रोगन जोश
In short: Bone-in lamb braised in yogurt, mustard oil, fennel, dried ginger and Kashmiri chili until the gravy turns deep red and the meat falls from the bone. It takes about 2 h 10 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 20 min
- Cook
- 1 h 50 min
- Total
- 2 h 10 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Calories
- 430 kcal
Rogan josh is the best-known meat dish of Kashmir, a lamb curry that gets its deep red color from dried Kashmiri chilies rather than tomato. In the Pandit style used here there is no onion or garlic. The flavor comes from fennel, dried ginger, whole spices and a pinch of asafoetida, with yogurt giving a gentle sourness. The meat cooks slowly on the bone until it falls away. It is rich, aromatic and not very hot.
Instructions
- Heat the mustard oil in a heavy pot over medium-high heat until it just starts to smoke, then remove the pot from the heat and let it cool for 1 minute. This mellows the raw pungency.
- Return to medium heat and add the cardamom, cloves, cinnamon and bay leaves for 20 seconds. Add the lamb and brown it on all sides for 8 to 10 minutes.
- Stir the chili powder into 3 tbsp water to make a paste, which keeps it from burning. Add it to the pot with the asafoetida and stir for 1 minute.
- Lower the heat. Add the yogurt 2 tbsp at a time, stirring constantly and letting each addition absorb before the next. Cook for about 8 minutes until the oil begins to separate.
- Stir in the fennel, ground ginger and salt, then pour in the hot water. Bring to a simmer, cover and cook on low for 1 hour 15 minutes to 1 1/2 hours, until the lamb is tender and pulls from the bone.
- Uncover and simmer for 10 minutes until the gravy is thick and glossy, with red oil on the surface. Stir in the garam masala and rest for 10 minutes before serving with steamed rice.
Tips
- No mustard oil? Use ghee or a neutral oil. The flavor will be milder but still good. If you have no Kashmiri chili, use 1 tbsp sweet paprika plus 1/2 tsp cayenne.
- Add the yogurt slowly over low heat, and use the full-fat kind. Fast addition or high heat will make it split.
Questions and answers
Is rogan josh spicy?
Not very. Kashmiri chili gives deep red color and mild heat, while the warmth comes from ginger, fennel and whole spices.
Can I make rogan josh with goat, beef or chicken?
Goat is a very good swap with the same timing. Beef needs 2 to 2 1/2 hours. For chicken thighs, use less water and cook only 30 to 35 minutes.
Can I make rogan josh ahead of time?
Yes, it improves after a night in the fridge. It keeps 4 days and freezes for up to 3 months. Reheat gently and add a splash of water if needed.
How long does it take to make Rogan Josh (Kashmiri Lamb Curry)?
About 2 h 10 min in total: 20 min of preparation and 1 h 50 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Rogan Josh (Kashmiri Lamb Curry)?
About 430 kcal per serving, with 27 g of protein, 6 g of carbohydrates and 33 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 430 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 27 g |
| Carbohydrates | 6 g |
| Fat | 33 g |
| Fiber | 2 g |
| Sugar | 4 g |
| Sodium | 680 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
