Aromatic Lamb with Pounded Spices

This lamb curry has an intense aroma and flavor that is as complex as its city of origin, Lucknow, in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh. Known for its opulence, not only in wealth but also in its foods, Lucknow is also the hotbed of Awadhi cuisine, named after the Muslim rulers who had a strong foothold there well after the Moghal empire had started to crumble in the surrounding cities and states. Aromatic spices like star anise, cloves, and black cardamom are the foundations upon which m