Lamb Madras Curry

Curry Paste
4 g coriander seeds
2 g cumin seeds
2 g salt

2-1/2 whole dried red chile peppers

3 fresh curry leaves
25 g garlic paste
6 g ginger paste
2 g ground turmeric
510 g lamb meat, cut into 1 1/2 inch cubes

60 ml ghee (clarified butter), melted
30 ml vegetable oil
2 onion, sliced 1/4 inch thick
1/2 (13.5 ounce) can coconut milk
235 ml water, divided
1 g fennel seeds
3 cardamom pods
1/2 cinnamon stick
2 g garam masala
2 g sugar
20 ml warm water
7 g tamarind paste

1. Toast the coriander seeds over medium-low heat until they begin to turn brown and pop. Repeat the toasting process with the cumin seeds, then with the dried red peppers. Transfer each ingredient to a food processor or spice grinder as you finish. Add the salt and grind to a fine powder. Mix with the garlic and ginger to form a thick paste.
2. Sprinkle the turmeric over the lamb, stirring lightly to coat. Toast the fennel seeds as above and set aside. Heat a Dutch oven over medium heat with the ghee and vegetable oil; cook the onions until golden brown, about 10 minutes. Stir in your curry paste and fry for 1 minute. Stir in the meat and fry for 1 minute more. Pour in 2/3 of the can of coconut milk and 1 cup of water; bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Simmer for 10 minutes.
3. Stir in the remaining coconut milk and 1 cup of water, along with the cardamom pods, cinnamon stick, and toasted fennel seeds. Cover with the lid ajar and return to a simmer, cook for about 1 1/2 hours until the lamb is tender. Stir occasionally and thin with water if the sauce becomes too thick while cooking.
4. When the lamb is tender, stir in garam masala, sugar, and the tamarind paste dissolved in 3 tablespoons of water; cook 5 minutes longer, or until the sauce thickens. Remove the cinnamon stick and cardamom pods before serving.