Pakistani meal tonight, from 'Curry Cuisine'. I have been looking for a good Pakistani cookbook and forgot that this one has a few recipes.
Palak gosht (spinach and lamb curry): Sautee onions until browned. Add garlic and ginger paste, crushed tomato, cayenne, cumin seed, and turmeric, then saute until the oil separates. Add stewing lamb and water and braise until the lamb is almost tender. Add spinach and braised until tender, then remove the lid to reduce. Top with minced jalapeno and ginger. Would make again.
Basmati rice: I did this "properly" - rinse the rice, soak 30 min (2:1 water:rice), and then drain, reserving the soaking water. Fry black cardamom, cinnamon stick, bay leaf, and cumin seeds in ghee, add the reserved water, bring to a boil, add the rice, simmer uncovered until the top is rife with steamy air holes, and then cover and finish over very low heat.
Podina (mint) raita: Greek yogurt with minced mint leaves and jalapeno. House guest prefers not-too-chile-hot so this came in handy.