MALBARI MUTTON

MALBARI MUTTON
A popular spicy mutton preparation from Kerala
Preparation Time : 25-30 minutes
Cooking Time : 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings : 4

INGREDIENTS
Mutton, 1 1/2 inch pieces on the bone 800 grams

Oil 1/2 cup

Cumin seeds 1 teaspoon

Coriander seeds 1 tablespoon

Whole dry red chillies, broken 4-5

Fenugreek seeds (methi dana) 1/2 teaspoon

Cinnamon 2 one-inch sticks

Green cardamoms 4-6

Cloves 6-8

Bay leaves 2

Coconut, scraped 3/4 cup

Poppy seeds (khuskhus/posto) 2 tablespoons

Black peppercorns 10-12

Ginger, roughly chopped 2 one-inch pieces

Garlic, roughly chopped 12-15 cloves

Green chillies, roughly chopped 3-4

Mustard seeds 1/2 teaspoon

Curry leaves 10

Onions, sliced 2 medium

Turmeric powder 1 teaspoon

Red chilli powder 1/2 teaspoon

Salt to taste

Tomatoes, chopped 3 medium

METHOD
Heat two tablespoons of oil in a pan and add cumin seeds, coriander seeds, red chillies, fenugreek seeds, cinnamon, green cardamoms, cloves and bay leaves. Stir fry for half a minute. Add coconut, poppy seeds, black peppercorns and cook till coconut changes its colour slightly. Remove from heat, cool slightly and then grind into a fine paste. Grind ginger, garlic and green chillies into a paste. Heat the remaining oil in a deep pan, add mustard seeds and curry leaves. When the seeds splutter add onions and sauté till golden brown. Add mutton pieces and ginger-garlic-green chilli paste. Sauté on high heat for ten minutes, stirring continuously. Add turmeric powder, red chilli powder, salt and tomatoes. Sauté till oil leaves the masala. Add four cups of water, bring it to a boil. Cover the pan and simmer for at least half an hour or till mutton is fully cooked. Now add the masala paste and salt. Mix well. Add more water if required. Simmer for ten more minutes. Serve hot.