Goat Rogan Josh

(Indian Cuisine can be intimidating because of all the complex flavoring involved, but here’s a step by step recipe I learned a while back from a friend. It’s fun, it’s authentic, and it’s delicious!)

**Medium Difficulty**
Serves 6

For Rogan Josh
2 lbs / 1 kg Goat Leg Meat, skin removed, sliced into bite-sized peices
1 large Red Onion, chopped (about 3 cups / 700 g)
2 medium Tomatoes, chopped (about 3 cups / 700 g)
2 Tbsp / 30 g Flour
3 Tbsp / 45 g Garlic, minced
3 Tbsp / 45 g Ginger, peeled, minced
6 Tbsp / 90 ml plain Yogurt
4 Tbsp / 60 ml Red Wine
4 Tbsp / 60 ml Clarified Butter (You can use Vegetable Oil if you like)
10 Whole Black Peppercorns
3 Cardamom Pods
2 Dried Bay Leaves
4 Cloves
1 medium Star Anise
1 Cinnamon stick
1 Tbsp / 15 g Whole Cumin Seeds
1 tsp / 5 g Turmeric
1 tsp / 5 g Ground Coriander Seeds
1 tsp / 5 g Garam Masala
1 Bird’s Eye Chilli
Salt to Taste
2 Tbsp / 30 g Toasted White Rice Powder (optional)
Handful of Fresh Cilantro / Coriander for Garnish (optional)

Basmati Rice (Enough for everyone)
6 Indian Flatbreads (Chapati, Roti, or Naan is fine)

1.) First, in a small pan, toast the Whole Black Peppercorns, Dried Bay Leaves, Cloves Star Anise, Cumin Seeds, and Cinnamon Stick lightly. This part may not seem important, but it adds a lot of flavor. Then with a mortar and pestle, grind up the Whole Black Peppercorns, Cardamom Pods, Dried Bay Leaves, Cloves, Star Anise, Cinnamon Stick, Whole Cumin Seeds, Turmeric, Ground Coriander Seeds, Garam Masala, and Toasted White Rice Powder. Turn the mixture into a fine powder. Set mixture aside

2.) In a large bowl, add in Goat Leg Meat, and Flour. Toss the Goat Meat until the meat is lightly coat. Set aside.

3.) In a large pot set at medium high heat on the stove, add in Clarified Butter. Once the butter is hot, add in Garlic, Ginger, and Red Onions. Brown ingredients lightly, then add in Goat Meat. Brown the Meat on all sides until they are crisp and firm.

4.) Add in the Seasoning Mixture from the mortar and pestle, and stir the ingredients around for about 2 to 3 min. Deglaze with Red Wine. Then add in the chopped Tomatoes, a cup of water, and the Bird’s Eye Chilli. Mix the pot thoroughly and then cover the pot. Bring to a boil than reduce heat to medium to low and let simmer for about 1 and a half to 2 hours. Yep. I said HOURS. Stir the mixture occasionally so the bottom doesn’t burn. The Rogan Josh with reduce and become like a thick stew.

5.) Once the Rogan Josh is at a mushy, thick stewed consistency, turn off heat. Add in yogurt and mix. Add in Salt to Taste, and then mix in a handful of Cilantro/ Coriander. Serve with Basmati Rice, and sliced Indian Flatbread. Enjoy!


Extra Info: In India, they don’t eat much cow. There are some people who do, but the majority of people in India consider cows to be sacred. So, lamb and goat is often used in many dishes. Goat is a delicious meat not many American people have tried. Goat has a gamey taste, and has a nice earthiness to it. Great for spicy and savory dishes like this Rogan Josh. You can use Lamb if you prefer, or if you want to Americanize the recipe, you can use beef. It all cooks similarly in this recipe.

Garam Masala is a special spice blend that is often the secret in Indian Cuisine. If you don’t have this, your Indian dishes won’t taste like the restaurants! I’ve added two ingredients not usually used in Indian Cuisine. Toasted Rice Powder, and Bird’s Eye Chilli. I ran out of cayenne powder so I substituted a bird’s eye chilli. Feel free to use ½ to 1 Tbsp of Cayenne Powder if you like instead. As for the Toasted Rice powder, I just like added that in for nuttiness, though the toasting of the whole spices will help with that.

Chapati, Roti, and Naan are all great Indian Flatbreads. Use which ever you prefer. I like whole grain Chapati personally, even if it’s not traditional. Something about the whole grain tastes so good with spicy food. Hehe. Happy Eating!

Picture of all the Ingredients before Cooking (Mise en place)
http://www.furaffinity.net/view/12376974/

Picture of Raw Spices to be toasted
http://www.furaffinity.net/view/12376891/

Picture of Toasted Spices mixed with remaining Spices
http://www.furaffinity.net/view/12376934/