These ingredients are perfect for creating a hearty and flavorful arni kapana lamb stew. Ensure you have all the necessary spices and vegetables on hand before starting to cook!
Steps
### Arni Kapana: A Sumptuous Lamb Stew Recipe
**Introduction to Arni Kapana**
Arni Kapana is a traditional Sri Lankan dish that combines tender lamb with aromatic spices, creating a flavorful stew that's both comforting and satisfying. This recipe uses a blend of local spices such as cinnamon, cardamom, and cloves, which give the stew its distinctive taste. Here are detailed steps to prepare this delightful dish.
### Ingredients
- 1 kg lamb shoulder or leg (cut into bite-sized pieces)
- Salt to taste
- 2 cups water
- 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 4 onions, finely chopped
- 2 tomatoes, chopped
- 5 garlic cloves, minced
- 2-inch piece of ginger, grated
- 10 green cardamom pods
- 6 cinnamon sticks
- 4 cloves
- 2 star anise
- A few dried bay leaves
- 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 cups coconut milk
- Fresh cilantro, chopped (for garnish)
- Cooked white rice (serves as a side)
### Step-by-Step Instructions
#### Step 1: Marinate the Lamb
1. **Seasoning:** Mix 1 tablespoon of salt with the lamb pieces and let them marinate for at least 20 minutes.
#### Step 2: Prepare the Base Ingredients
2. **Sauté Onions:** Heat oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the chopped onions and sauté until they turn golden brown.
3. **Add Garlic and Ginger:** Stir in the minced garlic and grated ginger, cooking for about 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
#### Step 3: Introduce Spices
4. **Spice Blend:** Add the green cardamom pods, cinnamon sticks, cloves, star anise, bay leaves, turmeric, cumin, coriander, and black pepper to the pot.
5. **Cook Spices:** Allow the spices to toast for a minute or two until they release their aroma.
#### Step 4: Cook Lamb
6. **Lamb Addition:** Add the marinated lamb pieces to the pot. Stir well so that each piece is coated with the spice mixture.
7. **Deglaze:** Pour in water and bring it to a boil, then reduce heat and let it simmer for about 15 minutes.
#### Step 5: Incorporate Tomatoes and Tomato Paste
8. **Tomato Addition:** Add the chopped tomatoes and cook until they soften.
9. **Tomato Paste:** Stir in tomato paste and mix thoroughly.
#### Step 6: Simmer with Coconut Milk
10. **Add Coconut Milk:** Pour in coconut milk and bring the stew to a gentle simmer.
11. **Simmer Slowly:** Cover the pot and let it cook on low heat for about 2 hours, or until the lamb is tender.
### Serving Suggestion
- Serve hot with freshly cooked white rice and garnished with chopped cilantro.
#### Tips and Variations
- For added flavor, you can include a few dried chillies.
- Adjust spices according to your taste preference by adding more or less as needed.
- If using fresh cardamom pods instead of green ones, crush them slightly before adding.
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