- 2 lamb neck fillet
- 4 tbsp tikka spice blend
- 4 onions
- 4 garlic cloves
- A thumb of ginger
- 500g cherry tomatoes
- 300g dried red lentils
- 100g baby leaf spinach
- 2 lemon
- A handful of coriander, leaves only
- Sea salt
- Freshly ground pepper
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 500ml boiling water
- Frying pan
- Baking tray
- Measuring jug
- 1.
Preheat your oven to 200°C/Fan 180°C/Gas 6. Pop the lamb neck fillet onto a plate. Rub the lamb with 1 tbsp tikka spice blend and a pinch of salt and pepper. Set aside.
- 2.
Peel and finely slice the onions. Peel the garlic and ginger and finely chop or grate both. Halve the cherry tomatoes.
- 3.
Pour 1 tbsp oil into a large pan and warm to a medium-high heat. Add the lamb to the pan and fry for 5-6 mins, turning every 1-2 mins, till browned on all sides. Transfer the lamb to a baking tray and set aside.
- 4.
Put the pan you used to cook the lamb in back on the hob and add 1 tbsp oil. Slide the onions into the pan and fry for 5 mins, stirring occasionally, till slightly softened. Stir in the chopped garlic, ginger and 1 tbsp tikka spice blend. Cook and stir for a further 1 min.
- 5.
Add the dried red lentils to the pan and swirl in 500ml boiling water. Toss in the halved cherry tomatoes. Stir, bring to the boil, then cover the pan with a lid and reduce to a gentle simmer. Cook for 15-20 mins, till the lentils have softened and the sauce is thick.
- 6.
While the lentils are simmering, slide the browned lamb into the oven. Roast for 8-12 mins, depending on how pink you prefer your lamb. When the lamb is out of the oven, transfer to a board or warm plate, loosely cover with foil and rest for 5 mins.
- 7.
Stir the baby leaf spinach into the lentil curry. Halve the lemon and squeeze in the juice from 1 half. Taste the sauce and add more salt, pepper or lemon juice if needed. Slice the coriander leaves from their stalks.
- 8.
Slice the lamb (if you prefer your lamb less pink at this stage, stir the slices of lamb into the lentil curry and cook gently for 3-4 mins). Divide the curry between a couple of bowls and top with the lamb. Garnish with coriander leaves to serve.