Sri Lankan-Style Lamb Curry

Takes: 35 mins
Serves 4

Ingredients:

• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 2 small onions, finely sliced
• 1 tsp mustard seeds
• 1 tsp cumin seeds
• 20 curry leaves
• 1 inch root ginger, grated
• 2 cloves garlic, crushed
• half tsp turmeric
• 200ml water
• 1 tin (or 250ml) coconut milk
• 560g lamb cubes
• 2 tomatoes, chopped

FOR THE SAFFRON RICE

• 250g basmati rice
• 1 cinnamon stick
• pinch saffron and turmeric
• 5 cardamon pods
• 3 cloves

TO SERVE

• steamed green beans

Method:

1. Place the rice, 550ml water, cinnamon stick, saffron, cardamom and cloves in a saucepan.  Season with salt, cover with a lid and bring to the boil, reduce the heat and simmer gently for 12 minutes.  Leave the lid on and remove from heat.
2. Heat the oil in a pan, add the onions and cook until lightly golden.  Add the mustard seeds, cumin seeds and curry leaves, and cook for 2 minutes.  Add the ginger, garlic and turmeric and cook for a further 2 minutes.  Add the lamb cubes and fry until brown on all sides.
3. Add the water and coconut milk, bring to the boil and simmer for 30 minutes.  When you're ready to serve, stir through the tomatoes.  Serve with rice and steamed green beans.