This is one of the very first barbeque dinner party dishes I ever cooked. The green Thai flavours build up layer of fragrant flavour. Most people seem to have got the hang of fast cooking on the BBQ but it’s great for slow cooked melting dishes too.
This curry works just as well if you use skinless chicken thighs or casserole steak instead of lamb. It’s hot and sweet, so do yourself a favour and get stuck in. To make the balti, marinate the lamb in the lime zest and juice and yogurt for 30 minutes.
Using a sharp knife, make slits across one surface of the lamb and insert the garlic slivers at regular intervals. Whisk together the oil, lemon juice and garlic together with the remaining marinade ingredients. our the marinade over the lamb and rub into the sufrace of the meat.
Many people have a real affection for lamb shanks, thinking of them as a bit of a treat. I’ve cooked them for years and really love this particular style of baking them because it’s so easy and comforting – almost like wrapping up a jacket potato to put on the bonfire.
Make incisions into the lamb and place a sprig of rosemary and garlic in each hole. Rub with olive oil and season well. Drizzle with lemon juice and keep in fridge for at least 3-4 hours, over night is best. Preheat the oven to 180°C. Heat a frying pan to high heat and add the oil. Sear the lamb for 2 to 3 minutes , browning all sides.
Heat the oil in a frying-pan and saute the onion rings (and green pepper blocks, if using) until very lightly cooked – make sure the onion rings remain intact. Drain them on absorbent paper.
Preheat the oven to 200°C/400°F/gas 6. Drizzle the cutlets with olive oil and sprinkle over a pinch of salt, the black pepper, chilli and the thyme leaves. Give the cutlets a good rub to massage in the flavours, then put to the side.
In a very large heavy-bottomed pot (I had to use two as none of mine were large enough to hold all the ingredients!), heat half the olive oil. Add the chopped celery, onion, carrot, garlic and spices. Fry for a few minutes to soften.
Cube the meat and slice the onion; peel and dice the tomato. Heat the oil and add the cinnamon stick, cardamom pods, onion and curry leaves. Fry until the onion is light golden brown in colour.
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