Ingredients:

  Amount  Measure       Ingredient -- Preparation Method
--------  ------------  --------------------------------
   2      tablespoons   mild vegetable oil
     1/2  teaspoon      cumin seeds
   1                    half-inch piece cinnamon -- stick
   4                    whole         cloves
   3                    green cardamom pods
   1      cup           chopped onion
   2                    garlic cloves -- peeled, crushed
   1                    half-inch piece fresh -- ginger, crushed
     1/4  teaspoon      turmeric
   1      pound         lean ground beef
   1      cup           peeled -- chopped tomato
     1/2  teaspoon      ground cumin
     1/2  teaspoon      ground coriander
     1/2  teaspoon      cayenne pepper
   1      teaspoon      paprika
     1/2  teaspoon      salt -- or to taste
   1      cup           water
   1      cup           unflavored yogurt
   8                    almonds -- blanched, ground to
                        paste with
   2      tablespoons   water
   1      teaspoon      garam masala -- optional (see
     1/2  cup           fresh corn kernels *
   3      tablespoons   chopped cilantro

Preparation:

* blanched 1 minute in boiling water(or frozen, thawed corn) When casual and quick are your main requirements, try this one-pot meal from the royal kitchens. Don't be alarmed by the long list of ingredients, all you do is combine and cook. Serve this hearty dish with toasted pita or French bread and a green salad. Heat oil in a heavy skillet over medium-high heat. Add cumin, cinnamon, cloves and cardamom; stir until fragrant, about I minute. Add onion, garlic, ginger and turmeric and cook, stirring, until onion is lightly browned, about 4 minutes. Add beef and cook, breaking up meat with a fork, until no longer pink, about 4 minutes. Add tomato, cumin, coriander, cayenne, paprika and salt; stir and cook for 2 minutes. Add water, yogurt and almond paste; bring to a boil, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer until mixture thickens and flavors mellow, about 45 minutes. Skim off fat. Stir in garam masala, corn and cilantro. Note: A spice blend available at Indian grocery markets and some specialty food stores. Source: Laxmi Hiremath writing in the San Francisco Chronicle, 6/24/92