Description Edit

The blend of hot spices, sour flavours and lentils make a dhansak a popular curry. Try serving it with basmati rice and a cooling raiita.

• Preparation time: 10 minutes
• Cooking time: 50–55 minutes
• Serves 4-6

Ingredients Edit

• 2 tbsp vegetable oil
• 2 cloves garlic, sliced
• 2 cm piece root ginger, peeled and chopped
• 1 green chilli, deseeded and chopped
• 1 onion, chopped
• 500 g / 1 lb lamb neck fillet, cubed
• 225 g / 8 oz sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 75 g / 3 oz split red lentils
• 3 tbsp medium curry paste
• 1 x 400 g can tomatoes
• 2 tbsp tomato purée
• 400 ml / 14 fl.oz water
• 25 g butter
• 2 tbsp caster sugar
• 500 g Bramley apples, peeled, cored and sliced
• 1 tbsp tamarind paste (optional)
• 3 tbsp chopped fresh mint
• salt and ground black pepper
• basmati rice to serve

Directions Edit

1. Heat the oil in a large pan; add the garlic, ginger, chilli and onion and sauté for 5 minutes until the onions are pale and golden.
2. Stir in the lamb, potatoes, lentils and curry paste and cook, stirring occasionally for 3 minutes.
3. Add the tomatoes, puree and water and season with a little salt and pepper.
4. Cover and simmer for 30 minutes or until the lamb is tender and the lentils have become soft.
5. Whilst the lamb simmers, melt the butter and sugar in a non-stick frying pan.
6. Add the bramley apple slices and sauté for 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally until pale and golden.
7. Set aside.
8. Stir the bramley apple slices into the lamb with the tamarind paste and mint.
9. Cover and simmer for a further 5 minutes.
10. Adjust the seasoning to taste.
11. Serve hot with basmati rice.