Lamb Curry and Family Traditions!

Paying respect to family traditions and my loving grandmother.

In one sense my lamb curry is paying respect to grandmother’s country cooking of nearly 65 years ago, Wholesome simple ingredients that became delicious meals under her deft hands and clever mind.

Origins.

Naturally Grandmother was skilled at using whatever was at hand to create exquisite dishes for for extended family and neighborhood friends, Apple and meat pies of every description, Casseroles and roasts, Deserts and cakes, Teas and scones.

But my all time favorite was her lamb casserole, Grandfather and I gathered herbs from village patches, Bartering was order of the day, Currency being scarce.

My bowl was filled as Grandmother portioned casserole between friends in tightly bound community, Remember aroma, Savoring that first succulent bite, Taste of herbs, Given bone to pick, Grandchild’s heaven.

Time passed and mother used to cook same lamb casserole, My brother sister and I salivating, Enjoying every delectable morsel, But truth be known memories were extra special to me, You understand.

Time passed, My kids on special diets, Quite a few acronyms involved, Some traced back to me, Doctor told me: “Bloody obvious where that came from, you must’ve been a handful!”.

Kids grown with families of their own, Cooking for myself in little apartment, Time to revisit memories of grandmother’s cooking.

Indian Curry.

Three years in London, First exposure to English pub cuisine confined me to hotel with three days of food poisoning, Hotel’s doctor prescribed enema, No thanks, English humor.

Next outing to opera, Passed little Indian restaurant of wondrous aromas, What an adventure, Chipped tables and wobbly chairs, Open hearths, Intense heat, Order and watch cooking, Served with gusto, Exquisite and completely outside limited experience, Went there regularly, Chefs recognised me, Cooked “proper” Indian, Loved spices and curries Breads and savory dips.

Now in my Apartment.

Taking charge of health in 90's, First dish I cooked grandmother’s lamb, Must admit mediocre start but loved her memory that insinuated my cooking, Transformed mediocre into creation where every taste resonated with her.

Remembered London’s Indian curries, Just as Grandmother adapted her dishes experimenting and refining so too Would I follow in her footsteps.

Working at home before internet, Often watched cooking shows, Loved Keith Floyd, Errant English chef, wine in hand opiniated cooking demonstrating curries, Eventually bought “Floyd’s India (2003)”, Tried recipes, Made masala’s and remembered London’s treats.

Grandmother’s casserole evolved through convoluted steps into my korma lamb curry, Started with vindaloo couldn’t get it right, Changed to Madras but too heavy ended up as Korma but with some minor modifications, Dish in honour of grandmother and mother, Continuation of family traditions, Been preparing dish for past decade or two.

The picture.

My slow cooker takes 6.5 lbs (3kg) of leg of Lamb, No trimming, 8 hours cooking, First step searing meat.

Picture evocative of memory of watching grandmother searing meat.

Beginning of searing aromas and heat brings her memories flooding back, Hear her voice, Feel her love in my heart, Comforted in bosom of family, I remember always.

In time I’ll share these memories with grandchildren.

Blessed be.