When I got home from work on Sunday night (that’s right I work on Sundays booo), I was starving. And of course when you’re particularly hungry you never have anything in the fridge. Well, technically I did, but the only thing I was really in the mood for making was…a reservation so I didn’t even bother to look. As my id and super-ego battled out my dinner options, it suddenly dawned on me that I had bought home some fresh lamb mince the day before. I was then overcome with a massive craving for Keema Aloo Matter Masala (a classic Punjabi spicy minced lamb, potato & peas dish). It’s an amazingly simple yet flavourful dish and tastes so good with accompanying fresh chapatis or bread to soak up all the deliciousness. If there any vegetarians reading, this recipe is great as the lamb can be replaced with minced soya. Never wanting to leave anyone out-how sweet am I? 🙂

Enjoy the recipe and please do comment or tweet me your thoughts!

Serves 4-6

What we need:

4-5tbsp Olive oil
1kg minced lamb
4 medium sized potatoes, boiled and quartered
1 cup peas
3 bay leaves
1/4 cinnamon stick
2 black cardamoms (optional)
5-6 whole black peppercorns
1 tsp cumin seeds
2 onions, finely chopped
2 green chillis, finely chopped
3 cloves garlic, grated
3″ fresh ginger, grated
1/2 tin plum tomatoes
2-3 tsp salt or according to taste
1.5 tsp garam masala
1 tsp turmeric powder
1 tsp paprika powder
Handful fresh coriander

How we do:
– Heat 2 tbsp of oil in a wide open pan. Once hot add the bay leaves, cinnamon, cardamoms, peppercorns and cumin seeds. When they begin to splatter, add the mince and mix well. -Add 1 tsp of salt and cook for 4-6 minutes stirring continuously. Place a lid on the pan and let it cook for a further 5-10 minutes and mix every couple of minutes. As the mince begins to cook it will change colour and will begin to darken. Once any excess moisture has been fully absorbed and the mince is fully cooked, turn off the heat.
-In a separate pan, heat 2-3 tbsp of olive oil. Once hot, add the onions, green chillis and 1 tsp salt. Cook the onions until they become semi golden/translucent. At this point add the ginger and garlic and cook for 2-3 minutes.
-Now add the garam masala, turmeric powder and paprika and cook for a couple of minutes. Add the tomatoes at this point and mash well into the masala. When the oil begins to separate add the fresh coriander and add the mince with it and add 2 cups of water. Add the potatoes and peas at this point.
-Place a lid and bring it to a boil. Reduce to simmer and let it cook for a good 10-15 minutes stirring every few minutes.
-Check for salt and adjust accordingly to your taste.
-You are officially done! Serve with hot chapatis.