Lamb Rogan Josh

Ingredients (Serve 2-3)

1.5 lb (boneless) lamb shoulder, cut into 2 " chunks ( or mutton or beef)
1/2 tbsp mustard oil
1/4 tsp salt
2.5 tbsp plain whole milk yogurt (not greek)
5 tbsp mustard oil
1/2 tsp cumin seeds
scant 1/2 tsp hing (asafoetida)powder
1 small tejpatta (indian bay leaf)
5 green cardamom, cracked open
1 black cardamom, cracked open
1.5 - 2 tbsp kashmiri mirch powder (or use 1.5 tbsp paprika)
1/4 tsp ginger powder
1.5 tsp powdered fennel seeds
1/4 tsp red chilli powder (or cayenne, adjust to taste)
salt to taste
1/2 cup water
scant pinch of saffron (optional)
fresh cilantro for garnish

To be dry roasted

1/4 tsp cumin seeds
2 whole cardamom
6 whole black peppercorns
1/2 inch cinnamon (cassia bark)
2 cloves
1 small blade mace

Notes :

Traditionally mutton is used in the preparation of rogan josh. If you get it where you live, go ahead and use that meat. 
I used lamb since I do not get good quality mutton or goat meat where I reside. 
Fresh ground fennel is really strong. I usually grind the fennel a day ahead and leave covered on countertop. 
If you use fresh ground do not use more than 3/4 tsp or maybe less.
The rogan josh is supposed to have little or no gravy. So do not add too much water. 
It is supposed to have an oil separating from the meat chunks when you serve.
You will need a soupy side dish or gravy if you plan to serve it with steamed rice.
Substitute mustard with any neutral oil.

Method

Rub the lamb pieces with 1/2 tbsp mustard oil and salt. Set aside for 20 minutes. 
In a small bowl, thin out the yogurt with 2-3 tbsp of water. Mix to a smooth consistency. Set aside.

In a heavy bottomed pot, heat up the mustard oil.Mustard oil needs to be heated more than the usual oil to do away the raw smell. 
Heat till you see that the oil turns pale from its deep golden color. Reduce heat to low. 
Add the cumin and hing. Wait for the aroma. About 5-7 seconds. Add the marinated lamb. 
Bump up the heat to medium Stir around so that the lamb pieces are coated in oil. 
You will seed that in 1-2 minutes the lamb will start changing color. Add the green & black cardamom. Stir for another 1-2 minutes.

Now, reduce the heat to low. Add the kashmiri chilli powder a teaspoon at a time and immediately add a splash of thin yogurt.
Stir around gently.Do this till all the chili powder and yogurt are exhausted, adding yogurt at the last. 
Continue on low heat so that the yogurt does not curdle and the chili does not burn.
If you feel that the pot is way too hot, take off the stove for a while and return back.
After about 2 minutes, bump up the heat to medium and add the ginger powder, ground fennel, red chili powder and salt.
Str around, you will see a lot of liquid in the pot but that's okay. 
Reduce the heat to low and cover the pot. 
Let simmer covered on low heat for about 1 hour and 10 minutes (or more, depending on how big the meat pieces are) till the lamb is almost 95% cooked.  
You will need to check the pot 3-4 times in between to ensure that it is not sticking to the bottom, you can add a splash of water if needed.

While the lamb is cooking , in a small pan dry roast the spices listed under 'to be roasted' for a minute or less. 
Transfer to a coffee grinder or mortar & pestle and coarsely grind. 
Once the lamb is 95% cooked, add these spices to the pot, add about 1/2 cup water and cover again. 
Let simmer for another 20 minutes till the lamb is cooked through.

Let sit for 40 minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped cilantro and serve.