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Rogan Josh Pork Curry

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You generally only find pork used in the dishes of southern India, however, here in the UK, it is one of the more affordable types of meat, so I frequently use it and try it out in dishes that normally use something else. This dish is a real treat, as pork is just perfect when slow cooked like this.

My Rogan Josh Pork Curry recipe includes the method to make the curry paste too, but, do not be daunted! It really is quite simple to make your own curry paste, and as a bonus, you will have enough paste for several curries! Simply find a jar, sanitise it with a little white vinegar and boiling water. The paste will keep for a month. If you wish to keep for longer simply fry the paste off before storage. See simples ;-) This is a rich red pepper based curry paste and indeed curry. Here I am using pork, but you could easily substitute for lamb. This is a long, slow cook curry — 2 1/2 hrs — which will melow out the flavour perfectly. If you wish to make a chicken version, cook your sauce for 2 hours, then add your chicken.

As always, Nutty has a short cut — You can initially start the cook on the hob and then transfer to a pressure cooker for 18 minutes, then finish it off on the hob.

And while we're on the topic of short cuts, if you really don't have time, you could buy a shop bought Rogan Josh paste, but, it really does pay off to make your own, both in terms of authentic flavour and also cost, you'll get a lot more curries & flavour out of your own curry paste than you will from a jar from the shops. Added bonus — no preservatives or colourings!

Click the Method tab below to see a step-by-step guide on how to make Rogan Josh Pork Curry, along with some pictures as guidance.

rogan josh pork curry in dish

ingredients

Here's what you need :¬)

for the spice paste

whole spices

  • 8 green caradamon pods
  • 4 black caradamon pods
  • 2 Tbsp cumin seeds
  • 2 Tbsp coriander seeds
  • 1 Tbsp black peppercorns
  • 4 whole cloves
  • 1 whole stick cinnamon
  • 2 whole bay leaves
  • 2 whole dried red chillies

wet Ingredients

  • 4 cloves garlic
  • 1 1/2 inch piece of ginger
  • 150g grilled red pepper
  • 4 Tbsp tomato puree
  • 2 Tbsp vegetable oil

ground spices

  • 2 Tbsp smoked paprika
  • 2 Tbsp garam masala
  • 1 Tbsp turmeric
  • 2 tsp sea salt

for the Curry

  • 1 Tbsp veg oil
  • 1 medium onion sliced
  • 1 sweet pointly red pepper
  • 1 inch fresh ginger
  • 1 tsp cumin seeds
  • 1 1/2 tsp coriander seeds
  • 700g pork leg steaks diced
  • 5 Tbsp Rogan Josh curry paste
  • 1 tsp extra hot chilli powder (optional)
  • 200g tin of plum tomatoes mashed
  • 75ml vegetable stock
  • 1 tsp salt

for the Garnish

  • Greek yogurt(optional)
  • fresh coriander(optional)

Note: While both of the above are optional, I highly recommened including them, as they elevate the dish to another level completely.

method

First of all, you need to make your Rogan Josh Curry Paste, if you don't have some to hand already.

Method for the paste

  1. Heat a small pan & add all of your whole spices
  2. Heat until they start to colour & smell fragreant
  3. Once done set into a pestle & mortar to cool
  4. When cooled grind slightly just to crack the coriander
  5. Now cook your peppers until slightly charred*

I use my health grill for this, but you can use the pan you did your spices in.

  1. Place all your wet ingredients into a blender, blitz until finely chopped
  2. Add your spices: freshly ground & pre ground
  3. Blitz until fully combined & gradually add 2 Tbsp of vegetable oil
  4. Once fully combined press tightly into a pre-sterillised jar
  5. store in the fridge until needed

Method for the curry

With curry paste to hand, prep' the ingredients for the curry:

ingredients
ingredients
  1. Heat a heavy based pan & add your onions
  2. Fry until just starting to brown & add your cumin & coriander
  3. Push your onion mixture to one side & turn the pan onto full heat
  4. Once really hot, add your pork & stir fry to combine
  5. When the pork has browned, add your vegetable stock
  6. add your curry paste & stir well
add curry paste
curry paste added to pork
stir well to coat the meat
curry paste coated pork
  1. Add ginger
add ginger
ginger added to pork
add red pepper
red peppers cooked with pork
  1. Add chilli powder if using here
  2. Add your tomatoes
  3. As soon as they come to heat reduce the temperature & cover
  4. Set a timer for 1 hour, check the dish, stir & repeat the hour*

*Or place into a pressure cooker for 18 minutes then continue as below

  1. Check & adjust the seasoning (salt) if needed, stir & cook for a further 30mins

When ready, spoon into a hot suitable serving dish and add some yogurt and fresh corriander.

rogan josh pork curry
rogan josh pork curry in dish
with yogurt & coriander
rogan josh pork curry
rogan josh pork curry and rice
with basmati rice

Serving suggestion for Rogan Josh pork Curry: Plain basmati rice & / or naan bread, a table spoon of greek yogurt with a sprinkle of fresh coriander