Mutton Korma

                                                                             

I find youngsters these days are reluctant to try out mutton recipes. The reason, they say, is that chicken is easier to cook.  This is not so.  Mutton is equally simple to cook.  I am sharing here an easy but delectable mutton recipe which, I hope, will find some takers.

This recipe has its roots in  Mughlai cuisine.  Traditionally it comprises of meat cooked with a combination of spices including coriander,blended with yoghurt and cooked over a low flame to incorporate all the juices into the meat.

Ingredients:

500 gms mutton
2 tbsp ginger garlic paste
2 cups yoghurt
2-3 onions
1 tsp red chilli powder
1 tbsp coriander powder
1tsp cumin powder
1 tsp all spice ( garam masala) powder
Salt to taste
Oil to fry onions
3 tbsps oil to cook
Coriander leaves to garnish

Method:   Peel and slice onions finely.  Fry them till they are brown and crisp.  Remove on to an absorbent paper.  Grind the fried onions in blender with yoghurt.  Marinate mutton with onion yoghurt mixture, ginger garlic paste, salt, red chilli powder, coriander powder, cumin powder and  all spice powder, Keep aside for 15 mins to an hour. Always marinate in the refrigerator. Do not leave outside.

In a heavy bottom pan put oil and add the mutton with the marinade.  Let it cook on low heat till all the water dries up and oil separates from masala.The mutton should be well fried by this time but if it isn't then sprinkle some water and continue to cook. When mutton is nicely fried  add 1 1/2 cup hot water and cover and let it cook on low heat till mutton is cooked. Or you can pressure cook. Before serving adjust seasonings as per taste and garnish with green coriander leaves.

Unlike other recipes where coriander powder is the minor player, here it is the star player. I dry roast whole coriander and grind to get fresh coriander powder which further enhances the taste.

If you like you can add fresh cream and cashew paste to get a really rich gravy turning this recipe into a Shahi Korma!!