I get asked for handi recipes all the time. This lamb champaran curry is one of the best!
When people ask me for ‘handi’ recipes, it could mean a lot of different curries. This champaran lamb handi is one of my favourites though.
The name ‘handi’ refers to the pot that a curry is cooked in so it isn’t one specific curry like many people think.
Nowadays, when you order a handi curry, it will most likely be cooked in a frying pan and then served in an ornamental handi dish.
I decided to go all out and cook this delicious Welsh Lamb handi the way it’s supposed to be cooked: in a clay handi pot.

Made from scratch using delicious Welsh Lamb!
About champaran lamb handi
So then, as the name implies, this lamb curry is usually cooked in a clay handi.
If you don’t have one, you can still make this but the clay pot does add a lot to the final presentation and flavour. The curry is traditionally cooked right on the coals in the clay pot that is sealed shut.
It’s one of my all time favourites which was made even better with top quality Welsh Lamb!
The first time you make this, I recommend using a glass lid with a steam hole so you can see what’s going on inside as it cooks.
What to expect when you make this…
An amazing curry, that’s what!
As you cook the curry in the sealed pot, juices will be released into the pot from the onions and meat.
This might considered a dry curry but it is anything but dry! Probably one of the best sauces in the curry world!
Step by step photos…
Here are a few photos of how to make this lamb handi recipe.
You could also watch the short video clip of it being made. It’s so easy too. Great for the barbecue.

Place all of the ingredients in the pot and stir well to combine. The oil needs to be coating everything!

Get that dough seal on the rim of the pot. Then place the lid on top securely.

I suggest using a glass lid the first time you make this so you can see what’s going on inside.

I normally make it in a handi pot with clay lid like this one. The clay imparts another layer of deliciously rustic flavour. Place the sealed curry right down on the hot coals.

Be sure to watch the video with this recipe above. You want to shake the curry every 10 minutes or so. As the curry cooks, it gets an amazing sauce that you can actually feel when shaking.

It’s not the traditional way to cook this, but you can also cook on the stove. 3 minutes high heat and then very low heat for the rest of the cook.

Great served over rice or naans.
If you like this lamb handi curry, you might like to try some of these too…
Kashmiri lamb meatballs
Railway lamb curry
7 Ingredient Lamb Curry
Karalan lamb mappas
Curry house style lamb vindaloo
Curry house style lamb rogan josh
Champaran Lamb Handi Curry
Ingredients
Instructions
I used Welsh Lamb to make this champaran lamb handi and it was amazing! For more information please click here.