Mild Curried Lamb Casserole with Almonds

Instructions

1. 01

   Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Heat a large saute pan over medium-high heat. Add oil, then onions and fresh ginger, and season with salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until onions are golden brown and tender, about 15 minutes. (Reduce heat if vegetables brown too quickly.) Mix turmeric, cumin, coriander, cayenne, cinnamon, cardamom, and ground ginger in a small bowl, then stir into onions. Add lamb, and cook, breaking up large pieces with a wooden spoon, until cooked through, about 10 minutes. Stir in almonds, and cook for 2 minutes more.

2. 02

   Tear bread into large pieces, and place in a small bowl. Add 1/4 cup milk and 3/4 teaspoon salt, and let stand until milk is absorbed. Add bread mixture to lamb, and cook, stirring frequently, until bottom of pan begins to brown, 1 to 2 minutes. Stir in apricot preserves and lemon juice, scraping up browned bits from bottom. Remove from heat, and season with salt and pepper.

3. 03

   Spoon lamb into a 6-cup baking dish. Whisk eggs, nutmeg, lemon zest, and remaining 1 1/2 cups milk in a medium bowl. Pour over lamb. Place bay leaves in dish, pressing into filling. Bake until custard is set around edges and center is no longer runny, 25 to 30 minutes. Let stand for 15 minutes before serving. Serve with desired accompaniments and rice.