Dhaba Style Mutton Curry

Ingredients (Serves 4)

1. Mutton – 1 kg, cut into medium pieces

Turmeric powder – 1/4 tsp

Yoghurt – 1/2 cup

Salt – To taste

2. Oil – 1 tbsp  + butter / ghee – 2 tbsp

3. Whole spices – bay leaf – 1, cloves – 5, black cardamom – 1, green cardamom – 3, cinnamon stick – 1 inch

4. Onion – 1 large, finely chopped (Around 1.5 cups)

5. Ginger –garlic paste – 1 tbsp

Ginger and garlic, finely chopped – 1 tsp each

6. Turmeric powder – 1/4 tsp

Chilli powder – 2 – 3 tsp

Coriander powder – 1 tbsp

Cumin powder – 1/2 tsp

7. Tomato – 1 medium, chopped

8. Hot water – 1 cup

9. Salt – As required to taste

10.  Garam masala powder –1/2 tsp or to taste (recipe below)

Kasoori methi – 1/2 tsp

Cilantro – 2 tbsp, chopped

Method

1. Marinate mutton with the remaining ingredients numbered 1 for at least 2 hours or overnight. Take it out 30 minutes before you are ready to cook.

2. Heat oil and ghee in a large heavy-bottomed pan. Add the whole spices numbered 3 and cook over medium-low heat until they are fragrant. Add finely chopped onion, little salt and saute until light golden in color. Next add ginger-garlic paste, chopped ginger and garlic and saute until golden brown in color.

3. Add turmeric powder, chilli powder and coriander powder. Saute until their raw smell is gone. Add chopped tomato and cook for 6 – 8 minutes until oil separates. Add cumin powder and mix well.

4. Add the marinated mutton, mix well and cook for 6 – 7 minutes, stirring occasionally until they are well-coated with the masala. Add around 1 cup hot water and bring to a boil. Cover and cook for 45 minutes – 1 hour stirring occasionally at medium-low heat until oil separates and mutton pieces are done. Alternatively, transfer the mutton and gravy to a pressure cooker and cook for 3 – 4 whistles until done. Open the cooker after 15 minutes. Add 1/2 tsp garam masala powder and 1/2 tsp kasoori methi. Mix well. Sprinkle chopped cilantro. Keep covered for 10 minutes. Serve with naan, chapathi, pulao etc. We had it with matar pulao, chapathi, carrot raita and palak dal.

Garam masala powder recipe

1. Cumin seeds – 1 tbsp
2. Black pepper – 1.5 tsp
3. Cloves – 1/4 tsp
4. Black cardamom – 1 small
5. Cinnamon stick – 1/4 inch

Grind the above ingredients to a fine powder and transfer to an air-tight container. You need only around 1/2 tsp  for this recipe.