Rogan Josh

This can be as hot and spicy as you like

There are two ways to make this one. Either keep it simple and cheat through your teeth by using ready prepared curry pastes or fry, and grind your own selection of spices with your own oils. Makes two large servings


Part 1a - the cheat

  1. Cut the meat into 'sugar cube' sizes
  2. Using a microwave dish, mix in the tomato puree, madras and Rogan Josh paste into the meat
  3. Place the cling film covered dish into the fridge for at least 2 hours, probably longer, to marinate
  4. chop/dice the peppers, Onion and Garlic
  5. Add to a deep wok style pan a couple or more table spoons of cooking oil and stir until onions are just turning brown
  6. Add extra herbs, spices and seasoning, see below
  7. Returning to the marinated meat, sir in the juice from a can of tinned tomatoes
  8. Place in the microwave on full heat and cook for 8 minutes or thereabouts in 2 4minute stages, stir between each stage
  9. Add the semi-cooked meat and the rest of the tomatoes to the pan and bring back to the boil and simmer gently for about 2 hours stirring occasionally
  10. After about 1.75 hours add some creme fraiche to the simmering curry stew, if you so desire
  11. You might like to reduce the mixture by removing the lid and draining off the excess fluid from the lid from time to time
    12.

Part 1b

  1. Collect your seeds, that would be: Cumin, Tumeric, Cardamon, Cloves, a dried lemon, chilli
  2. You will have to experiment with quanities, aim for the range and not the precise amount, but remember, the stronger scented spices such as Cardamon and Cloves will need to be used sparingly, or not
  3. Heat a dry pan and lightly fry for a few minutes until the aromatic scents are released, you'll love this one, better than scented candles
  4. If using powder then add just at the end of the frying process
  5. Allow to cool, add corriander leaves, sliced ginger, garlic cloves and then grind in a Mortar and pestle, or use a spice grinder
  6. Empty the contents of the grinder into a small dish and add flour and oil of your choosing to create a paste
  7. Add the paste to the meat with either water or tomato juice and then follow the instructions as for 1/2 in part 1a
    8.

Part 2

  1. For two large servings of rice, add 2.5 mugs of water to a saucepan, add 1/2 teaspoon of salt and bring to the boil
  2. 15 minutes before the RJ is cooked fill a mug with basmati rice, that should serve enough for two
  3. Add 1 mug of rice to the water and stir for 10 seconds
  4. Bring back to the boil and then turn down to simmer until the water has evaporated and been absorbed into the rice
  5. There is no need to stir the rice again otherwise it might become too sticky
  6. Once ready to eat, serve up both rice and Rogan Josh
  7. Add creme fraiche, 'Geetas' Mango chutney, bananas and water cress as an accompaniment
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