Lamb Varuval Curry

Servings
8
Cuisine
Indian
Difficulty
Not Too Tricky
Prep time
20 mins
Cook time
3 hrs
Total time
3 hrs 20 mins
Lamb Varuval Curry
This is an authentic, delicious lamb curry which has a unique flavour. The texture is that of a drier curry and originates from Southern India in the state of Tamil Nadu.
Ingredients
  • 900g lamb or mutton leg or shoulder, fat removed and cut into 2.5cm cubes
  • 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
  • 4 teaspoons oil
  • 2 small red onions, peeled and finely chopped
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • 2 whole star anise
  • 4 cardamom pods bruised
  • 1 tablespoon whole fennel seeds,
  • ½ teaspoon whole cloves
  • Small handful fresh or dried curry leaves
  • 1 tablespoon prepared ginger-garlic paste
  • 1 small tomato, seeded and diced
  • 1½ teaspoons garam masala
  • 1½ teaspoons curry powder
  • 1½ teaspoons ground paprika
  • Large handful freshly chopped coriander
Method
  1. In a large bowl add the lamb or mutton and ½ teaspoon ground turmeric. Season well.

  2. Heat 2 teaspoons of the oil in a large non-stick or griddle pan over moderate heat and add the onions. Cook for 5-10 minutes until soft. Add the cinnamon stick, star anise, cardamom, fennel and cloves. Stir gently and cook for a few seconds.

  3. Add the curry leaves and cook for 3-4 minutes. Add the garlic and ginger paste. Continue to cook for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.

  4. Add the tomato, lamb or mutton and cook for 5-10 minutes, coating the meat in the spice mix. Add 200ml water, reduce the heat, cover and cook for 3-3½ hours for lamb or 3½-4½hours for mutton. Alternatively, transfer to a slow cooker and cook for 8-10 hours on LOW or 4-6 hours on HIGH.

  5. Heat the remaining oil in a separate non-stick frying pan and add garam masala, curry powder, paprika and the remaining ground turmeric and heat for 1 minute or until the aromatic. Stir the spices into the lamb or mutton mix. Cover and continue to cook for a further 10 minutes in the pan or slow cooker.

  6. Garnish with the fresh coriander and serve with basmati rice, naan bread and a selection of Indian accompaniments.
Serving suggestions

based on a lamb leg joint, fat removed.

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Nutrition

Each serving provides:

Energy
199kcal
Fat
12.9g
Saturates
4.6g
Carbs
2.4g
Sugars
1.4g
Fibre
0.9g
Protein
19.5g
Salt
0.2g

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