Ingredients

• 1 whole dried red chili
• 5 whole cardamom pods
• 2-inch cinnamon stick
• 2 whole cloves
• 2 cups finely chopped onion
• 2 tablespoons peeled, minced fresh ginger
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• 1 teaspoon seeded, chopped fresh green chili or to taste
• ½ teaspoon turmeric
• 2 teaspoons ground cumin
• ¼ teaspoon sugar’2 pounds beef filet mignon, boneless sirloin, boned T-bone steak New York strip, or round steak, or lamb leg or shoulder steak, cut into 2x2x1 inch cube
• ½ cup water
• 2 tablespoons plain yogurt
• 1 tablespoon raw cashews or almonds, ground in blender to a coarse powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon garam masala
• Mild onion rings (garnish)

Directions

• Directions
• Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a pan over medium heat. Fry the potatoes until they turn medium brown, 6 to 7 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon and set aside. (Omit this step for a lower-fat dish.)
• Add 2 tablespoons oil to the pan and heat over medium low heat. Fry bay leaf, red chili, cardamom, cinnamon, and cloves for a few seconds. Add onion and fry until richly browned but not burnt, 18 to 20 minutes, stirring constantly.
• Stir in ginger, garlic, green chili, turmeric, cumin and sugar. Add meat and water. Lower heat and simmer, covered 30 minutes. Add the potatoes and simmer, covered until both meat and potatoes are tender about 30 more minutes. Turn heat very low.
• Blend in yogurt, nuts and salt and remove from heat. (Prolonged heating will curdle the sauce, detracting from its appearance and texture.) Stir in garam masala. Decorate with onion rings and cilantro.