DRIED FRUIT LAMB (OR BEEF) CURRY

Steps:

• Combine the apples, prunes and raisins in a bowl, pour the water over them and let soak for at least an hour, turning the fruit occasionally.
• Dry the cubed meat with a paper towel and sprinkle them with the salt.
• In a heavy large skillet, heat the oil over moderate heat until it is hot enough that a haze forms above it; brown the meat in the hot oil in 2 or 3 batches, turning the meat even ly to get them a good rich brown color; as they brown transfer to a plate and set aside.
• Pour off all but about 2 tbsps of the fat from the pan and drop in the onions; stir constantly and scrape up the browned bits from the bottom of the pan; cook the onions for about 3 to 4 minutes, until they are soft.
• Reduce the heat to low, add the Curry powder and stir for 2 minutes or so to toast the Curry a bit, thus intensifying it's flavor ( a step you should always take when using Curry powder; it leeches any bitterness from some of the stronger spices in Curry).
• Return the meat to the pan, along with any liquid that has accumulated around it; stir in the fruits along with their soaking water, the vinegar and the lemon juice.
• Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce the heat to low.
• Partially cover the skillet and simmer for about one hour or until the meat is tender and shows no resistance when poked with a sharp knife.
• Check the pan periodically and if it looks too dry, add up to a 1/4 cup water, a few tablespoons at a time; when the curry is done however, most of the liquid should be dried up as this is a dryer curry not a soupy one.
• Taste for seasoning and mound the curry on a heated platter; just before serving sprinkle with the peanuts and slice the bananas and arrange around the curry.
• Serve with hot rice, preferably Jasmine, and your favorite chutney.
• Also, I like a hotter curry and have found that adding an additional 1/2 tbsp of curry powder or paste does the trick, especially if I am serving with a hot chutney.