Mutton Curry – South Indian Style

Step 1: Cook the Mutton

Add 500g fresh mutton to a heavy pot or pressure cooker. Add 1-2 bay leaves, a small cinnamon stick, 1 cardamom, 2 cloves, 1 chopped tomato, some salt, and a pinch of turmeric powder. Add enough water to cover the mutton. Cook until the mutton is soft and tender. If using a pressure cooker, cook for 3-4 whistles (approximately 15-20 minutes).

Step 2: Dry Roast Whole Spices

In a dry pan, add 1 tbsp coriander seeds, 1 tsp cumin seeds, 1 tsp fennel seeds, 1 tsp black peppercorns, 1 bay leaf, a small cinnamon stick, 2-3 cloves, 2 green cardamom, and less than 1/4 tsp methi (fenugreek) seeds. Dry roast these spices on medium heat until they become fragrant, about 1-2 minutes. Set aside to cool.

Step 3: Sauté Ingredients for Masala Paste

Heat 1-2 tbsp oil in a pan. Add 7-8 dry red chilies and sauté for a few seconds until slightly puffed. Remove the chilies and set aside. In the same pan, add 5-6 garlic cloves and 1 sliced onion. Sauté until the onion becomes translucent, about 3-5 minutes. Add 1/2 cup grated coconut and roast for 1-2 minutes until lightly golden. Add a few curry leaves (optional) and 1 tsp sesame seeds (optional), mix well. Finally, add 3-4 stems of fresh coriander leaves and mix.

Step 4: Grind the Masala Paste

Combine all the roasted dry spices (from Step 2), sautéed chilies, sautéed onion, garlic, coconut, curry leaves, sesame seeds, and fresh coriander leaves (from Step 3) on a plate. Add a small piece of ginger, a small ball of tamarind, and 1/4 tsp turmeric powder. Let everything cool down completely. Once cooled, transfer all ingredients to a grinder and grind to a smooth paste with a little water.

Step 5: Combine Masala with Mutton

Once the mutton is cooked and tender, add the ground masala paste to the pot with the cooked mutton and its broth. Mix the masala paste thoroughly into the mutton. Add more water if needed to achieve your desired curry consistency. Check for salt and adjust if necessary. Simmer the curry on low to medium heat for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. Continue cooking until the oil starts to separate slightly from the masala, which is a good sign it's ready for the next step.

Step 6: Prepare Tempering and Finish Curry

In a separate pan, heat 3-4 tbsp ghee or oil. Add 1 sliced onion and sauté until it turns golden brown, about 5-7 minutes. Add a few curry leaves and 1-2 tbsp chopped coriander. Sauté for a few more seconds. Pour this tempering mixture over the simmering mutton curry and mix well. Turn off the heat, cover the pot with a lid, and let the curry rest for 10 minutes. This resting period enhances the flavor of the curry.

• The color and spice level of the curry depend on the dry red chilies used in the masala. Adjust them to your preference.

• Letting the curry rest for 10 minutes after tempering enhances the flavor.

• For a milder curry, reduce the number of dry red chilies.

• You can substitute mutton with chicken for a quicker cooking time.