Ingredients

2lbslamb stew meat,(or 3 lbs bone in), lamb shanks, and/or lamb shoulder steaks, boneless

4cupsonions,chopped

5clovesgarlic,crushed

3tbspghee clarified butterin olive oil with 1 tbsp butter,or 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil with 1 tbsp butter

3tbspcurry powder,to taste

2tspsalt

1tbspblack pepper

1tbspground coriander

1tbspcumin

1tspfresh rosemary,chopped

1tspthyme,dried

2slices of lemon,with rind, use 3 slices if using Meyer lemons

2cupsapples,preferably tart green Granny Smith apples, peeled and chopped

¼cupgolden raisins

1½cupschicken stock

1½lbssmall potatoes,quartered

2cupsbasmati rice

chutney and/or yogurt,to serve

Preparation

Heat the ghee or the butter-with-olive-oil in a large, thick-bottomed pot (with cover) or Dutch oven on medium-high. Working in batches if necessary, brown the meat well on all sides and remove it from the pan.

Lower the heat to medium-low and add the curry powder to the ghee or oil. Cook gently for 1 to minutes. Add onions and garlic and cook for 5 minutes.

Return the lamb to the pan, and add the coriander, black pepper, cumin, rosemary, thyme, sliced lemon, apples, raisins, chicken stock, and salt.

Bring to a simmer, lower the heat to low, and cover the pot. (Or put the pot in a 300-degree F oven). Cook for 2 hours. Check at 2 hours to see if the meat is falling off the bone. It should be starting to do so.

Add the potatoes and cook for another 45 minutes.

While the curry is cooking, cook the rice. Put 2 cups of basmati rice in a medium thick-bottomed pot.

Add 3 cups of water (less or more depending on package instructions), a tablespoon of butter or ghee, and a teaspoon of salt.

Bring to a boil, lower the heat to a low simmer, cover the pot and let cook for 15 minutes (again check the package instructions).

Remove from heat, keep covered, and let steam for 10 minutes, then fluff with a fork.

To serve, pull the meat off the bones or leave it on. Taste for salt and add some more curry powder or add cayenne for more spice.

Serve over rice with chutney and/or yogurt for drizzling over top.