If you have ever been mesmerized by having lamb roganjosh at an Indian restaurant and wondered what sort of masala brings out that dark red, oily thing over the top, it is the roganjosh masala.
To find the roots of the Indian roganjosh masala, you have to travel to Kashmir, where the masala is made from different whole Indian spices in the right proportion and then coarsely blended.
Where That Color Really Comes From
Many people believe that the red color in this dish is derived from tomatoes; however, it hardly requires any tomatoes. It is mostly due to the Kashmiri red chili that has the special property of being deep red and not too hot – just enough to give the dish its color. Other spices in the mixture include:
• Rogan Josh spice
• Kashmiri red chili powder
• Fennel seeds that are a characteristic component of Kashmiri cuisine
• Ginger powder
• Cinnamon and cloves
• Green and black cardamom
• Small quantities of asafoetida (hing)
The component that many people tend to underestimate here is fennel – it adds a subtle sweet element to rogan josh that helps to complement the earthiness of the rest of the spices.
Cooking It Properly Takes Patience
Rogan josh is not made in a hurry, and to be honest, this is where the majority of home cooks fail in their preparation of this dish. Here are the steps that will make a difference:
• Brown the meat to get maximum flavors in the dish.
• Prepare the masala in oil or ghee and let it become slightly darkened before adding water to it.
• Add yogurt in place of tomatoes as the base, adding it slowly to prevent curdling
• Simmer it on a very low flame for more than an hour until the meat becomes tender
The best option is lamb/mutton, and the reason why it is simmered for so long is that this is when the spices start to get absorbed by the meat.
A Blend Worth Branching Out With
Although it is evident that rogan josh masala is designed for the eponymous dish, it is worth trying other combinations with this ingredient too. You can try it for slow-cooked beef, or even lentil stew, which will get an interesting smoky flavor. The combination of fennel and Kashmiri chilies is unique and can be applied to many slow-cooking dishes.
A Dish Worth the Wait
Rogan josh is not a hurried preparation for a busy weekday dinner, and this is how it was always supposed to be. Rogan josh is a dish that needs time, and having the authentic Rogan Josh Masala really makes a difference in terms of flavoring your curry.
Shanaya Indian spices produces rogan josh masala, which is traditionally blended using Kashmiri chili and other authentic Indian spices. If you are wondering where to buy Indian spices online, Shanaya spices is your destination.
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