Mutton nawabi

We all know that red meat/mutton is best eaten occasionally,due to high level of animal fat. Since yesterday was a national holiday,so thought of cooking mutton,which should be made with less oil,but also a riot of spices. Although you may find the recipe elaborate,but it is very simple once we get all the ingredients sorted. Let me confess,I just mixed and matched whatever was available in my pantry. In case you don't have the particular ingredient or spice,just try to substitute or cook without it. Still I would recommend to use all the ingredients as it tasted to be one masterpiece.

I named it "nawabi" only because I was using some nuts and raisins. You may give your own name if u so wish.

Here in Noida,winter is settling in and it will be doubly beneficial for me as Durga puja is round the corner. I enjoy pandal hopping,dressing up traditionally in a saree and obviously relishing some street food available in the pandals. Therefore better the weather,better for me.

Ingredients

1. Mutton - 500 gms( medium size pieces)

2. Onion - 1 big size(chopped)

3. Ginger - 2tsp

4. Garlic paste - 3tsp

5. Tomato - 2 medium size( chopped)

6. Curd - 100gms

7. Turmeric powder - 1tsp

8. Red chilly powder - 1tsp

9. Salt to taste

10. Mustard oil - 4tsp

For the paste

1. White til seeds - 4tbsp

2. Peanuts - 25-30 nos

3. Almond - 10 nos

4. Raisins - 25 nos

Soak the above in warm water for 30 mins and make a paste with some water.

For the garam masala powder

1. Green cardamom - 3 nos

2. Black cardamom - 1 no

3. Cloves - 5 no

4. Cinnamon - 1 inch

5. Javitri - 1 flower

6. Black pepper - 1 tbsp

7. Cumin seeds - 2 tsp

8. Coriander seeds - 2 tsp

Dry roast and grind them coarsely,keep aside.

Method

Heat oil in a pressure cooker,add onion,ginger,garlic,tomato one by one and stir fry till oil starts separating. Since we are using less oil,cook in low flame stirring frequently. Next add mutton and stir fry for 3-4 mins. Next,dissolve turmeric powder,red chilly powder in small quantity of water and add it to mutton. Stir fry for 10 - 15 mins in low flame,covering with a lid,stirring occasionally. Now add some water,salt and close the lid of the cooker. After the first whistle,lower the flame and cook for 25 mins approx or till the mutton is cooked. Open the cooker only when the entire steam has released naturally. Next in a large bowl,whip curd,to it add the paste and dry garam masala powder. Add some water to it and pour on the mutton. Mix,add some water,if required and cook for one more minute. Garnish with cucumber,carrot shavings and serve hot with steamed rice.