
A comforting and satisfying dinner featuring a flavorful lamb rogan josh base topped with a creamy, saffron-infused mashed potato topping.
**Prepare the Lamb Rogan Josh:** Heat ghee or oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Brown the lamb in batches, ensuring not to overcrowd the pan. Remove lamb and set aside.
Add onion to the skillet and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and ginger and cook for another minute until fragrant.
Stir in the rogan josh spice blend and tomato paste. Cook for 2 minutes, stirring constantly, until fragrant and the spices are toasted.
Add the diced tomatoes, yogurt, chicken broth, bay leaf, salt, and pepper. Bring to a simmer, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
Return the browned lamb to the skillet. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 1.5 - 2 hours, or until the lamb is very tender. Remove bay leaf.
**Prepare the Saffron Mash:** While the lamb is simmering, boil the potatoes in a large pot of salted water until tender, about 15-20 minutes. Drain well.
Return the potatoes to the pot. Add butter, warm milk/cream, saffron-infused milk/cream (including the saffron threads), and nutmeg. Mash until smooth and creamy using a potato masher or electric mixer.
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
**Assemble the Shepherd's Pie:** Pour the lamb rogan josh into a baking dish. Spread the saffron mashed potato evenly over the top. You can create decorative swirls with a fork if desired.
Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the mashed potato topping is golden brown and the filling is bubbling.
Let the pie rest for 10 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh cilantro before serving.
Nutrition per serving (567g)
For a richer flavor, use lamb stock instead of chicken broth.
Adjust the amount of rogan josh spice blend to your liking. If you prefer a milder flavor, start with less and add more as needed.
To prevent the yogurt from curdling, ensure it is at room temperature before adding it to the skillet.
If you don't have time to make homemade rogan josh spice blend, you can use a store-bought blend. Look for one that contains spices like Kashmiri chili powder, fennel seeds, dried ginger, and cloves.
The lamb rogan josh can be made ahead of time and refrigerated for up to 3 days. Reheat before topping with the mashed potato and baking.
For extra browning, broil the top of the mashed potatoes for the last few minutes of cooking, watching carefully to prevent burning.
Oven
Large Pot
Large Skillet or Dutch Oven
Potato Masher or Electric Mixer
Baking Dish (approx. 9x13 inch)
No wine pairing suggestions available for this recipe.