| Prep: 25 mins | Cook: 1 hour 45 mins | Difficulty: Medium | Serves: 6 |
| kcal | fat | saturates | carbs |
| 568 | 40g | 15g | 12g |
| sugars | fibre | protein | salt |
| 6g | 3g | 40g | 1.5g |
Why I Love Bangladeshi Spicy Lamb and Beef Curry
One of my favorite dishes to elevate my weeknights is a beautiful Bangladeshi recipe – the Spicy Lamb and Beef Curry. I carry with me a particular fondness for this exotic dish, coming from the vibrant food culture of Bangladesh, and it reminds me of the diverse culinary tapestry that makes up New York City.
A Tribute to Global Flavors
NYC has always been a melting pot of cultures and tastes, and I have always seen cooking as a way of traveling. Every dish is a journey – a tale of ingredients, techniques, and traditions converging on the platter. This Spicy Lamb and Beef Curry echoes this sentiment quite strongly. It’s hearty, robust, and manages to capture the very essence of South Asian cuisine.
I remember tasting a similar dish at Chef Nahid Hassan’s Bangladeshi pop-up eatery here in the city. It stood out so much so that it inspired me to experience more of these rich, complex flavors and recreate them in my home kitchen.
Perfect Pairings
If you’ve been a fan of a good Rogan Josh or a Beef Rendang, chances are you’ll fall in love with our Spicy Lamb and Beef Curry. Its unique combination of ginger, garlic, spices, lamb, and beef just works, making it an ideal main dish for those fond of fiery flavors.
Whether served with warm naan, fragrant basmati rice, or even a simple side of cucumber raita, this curry shines. In fact, it’s savory and satisfying enough to lighten up any meal, even on those rainy New York days.
Not Just About the Food
But it’s not just the flavors that make me gravitate towards this recipe. Cooking, for me, is the art of storytelling. Just as I would in theater, with our Spicy Lamb and Beef Curry, I’m sharing a part of a culture and tradition that’s beyond just food. And that’s what makes this, and indeed every recipe, truly special.
What You’ll Need
- 2 pounds of lamb, chopped into cubes
- 1 pound of beef, chopped into cubes
- 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil
- 2 large onions, finely chopped
- 5 cloves of garlic, minced
- 2-inch piece of fresh ginger, grated
- 1 tablespoon of turmeric powder
- 1 tablespoon of cumin powder
- 1 tablespoon of coriander powder
- 2 teaspoons of chili powder
- 2 teaspoons of garam masala
- 1 teaspoon of salt (or to taste)
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 cup of plain yogurt
- 3 cups water 2 green chilies, chopped
- 1 bunch of fresh coriander, chopped
Method
Step One
Heat the vegetable oil in a large pan over medium heat. Once it’s hot, add the chopped onions to it. Fry them until they turn golden brown.
Step Two
Add the minced garlic and grated ginger to the pan. Stir them into the onions and let them cook for about 2 minutes.
Step Three
Add the turmeric powder, cumin powder, coriander powder, chili powder, garam masala, and salt to the pan. Stir well so that the spices blend in with the onions, garlic, and ginger.
Step Four
Add the chopped lamb and beef to the pan. Mix everything well so that the meat is coated with the spice mix. Let it cook for about 10 minutes, or until the meat starts to brown.
Step Five
Add the bay leaves, chopped green chilies and plain yogurt to the pan. Mix well and then add the 3 cups of water.
Step Six
Let the curry simmer on a low heat for about an hour, or until the meat is tender and the flavors have blended together.
Step Seven
Just before serving, stir in the chopped fresh coriander. Let the curry cook for another 2 minutes so that the flavors of the coriander can infuse into it. Serve your Spicy Lamb and Beef Curry hot, and enjoy with rice or bread!
