Method

• Peel the turnips and cut into quarters. Prick each piece several times with a toothpick.
• Sprinkle with a little salt and run in well.
• Leave at room temperature for at least 1 hour, then rinse off the salt and set the turnips aside.
• Chop the onions, 1 clove of garlic and the ginger.
• Cut the tomatoes in half and grate, discarding the skin. Alternatively puree the peeled tomatoes in a blender.
• Make a stock by boiling the lamb bones for 45 minutes in 2 cups of water along with the remaining clove of garlic and the bay leaf, and strain.
• In a frying pan heat 3 tbsps of the oil and fry the turnip for about 20 minutes until they are pale gold in colour and beginning to get a crispy skin.
• Keep turning them around so they become evenly pale gold in colour.
• Remove the turnips and drain on kitchen paper.
• Put the oil from the pan into a cooking pot. Add 1 tbsp of the remaining oil.
• Add the chopped onions and saute for about 10-15 minutes over a low to moderate heat until golden brown. Make sure the heat is not too high or they will fry unevenly.
• Then add the chopped ginger and garlic and continue to saute for a further 5 minutes.
• Add the chilli, paprika, turmeric, fennel and coriander powders, the cardamoms, cinnamon,
• 2 tbsps water, the remaining 1 tbsp of oil and the lamb, and mix well.
• Stir-fry the meat for 2 minutes so that it is evenly coated with spices.
• Cover the pot and simmer for about 10 minutes until the meat releases moisture which mingles with spices and is re-absorbed. Remove lid when the meat is almost dry.
• Then, with a cooking spoon, stir and turn the meat over several times, for 5 minutes. This continuous stirring enables the spice mixture around the meat to come into contact with the heat at the bottom of the pot, and gives the dish its special flavour. It is known as the bhuna process.
• Season with 1-1/4 tsps salt, add the pureed tomato and again stir and turn the meat.
• Pour in the stock, cover the pan and simmer for about 30 minutes.
• About 5 minutes before the meat is tender, add the turnips.
• Turn off the heat when the meat and turnips are tender. If the dish is not to be eaten for some time the turnips will continue to absorb some of the curry. So, when reheating, if more curry is desired just add extra water as required.
• Taste for seasoning, add more salt if neccessary, and cook for a couple of minutes. Remove bones before serving.
• This curry is deep red in colour but not as it looks. If you want it hotter then increase the quantity of chilli powder.
• Duck and turnips are also cooked together in the same way in Kashmir. Instead of turnips you could use potatoes and the dish would be just as nice: you do not need to salt the potatoes.