Master The Art Of Cooking Mutton Stew With This Easy To Follow Recipe

Mutton stew is a rich, flavorful dish made with tender mutton, spices, and vegetables, simmered to perfection. It's best enjoyed with rice or bread.

Mutton stew is a hearty dish made by simmering marinated mutton with onions, tomatoes, and a blend of spices like coriander, cumin, and garam masala. The stew is enriched with vegetables like potatoes and carrots and can be finished with coconut milk for added richness. The dish is cooked slowly to ensure the mutton is tender and flavorful. It pairs perfectly with rice, bread, or naan.

Ingredients:

• 500g mutton, cut into medium-sized pieces
• 2 large onions, finely chopped
• 2 tomatoes, chopped
• 2-3 green chilies, slit
• 1 tablespoon ginger-garlic paste
• 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
• 1 teaspoon red chili powder
• 1 teaspoon coriander powder
• 1 teaspoon cumin powder
• 1 teaspoon garam masala powder
• 3-4 cloves
• 2-3 cardamom pods
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 cup coconut milk (optional for a richer stew)
• 2-3 tablespoons oil or ghee
• 1 large potato, cubed
• 2 carrots, sliced
• Salt to taste
• Fresh coriander leaves, chopped, for garnish
• 4-5 cups water or mutton stock

Instructions:

1. Marinate the Mutton:

• Wash the mutton pieces thoroughly and drain the excess water.
• In a large bowl, marinate the mutton with turmeric powder, red chili powder, salt, and ginger-garlic paste. Set aside for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to penetrate the meat.

2. Prepare the Base:

• Heat oil or ghee in a large, heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat.
• Add cloves, cardamom, cinnamon, and bay leaf to the hot oil and saut for a minute until fragrant.
• Add chopped onions and green chilies, and saut until the onions turn golden brown.

3. Cooking the Mutton:

• Add the marinated mutton to the pot and stir well. Cook on medium-high heat until the mutton pieces are browned on all sides. This step is crucial as it locks in the flavors.
• Add chopped tomatoes and cook until they soften and blend with the spices.
• Stir in the coriander powder, cumin powder, and a little more salt. Cook the mixture for 5-7 minutes, ensuring the spices are well incorporated.

4. Simmer the Stew:

• Add enough water or mutton stock to cover the mutton pieces. Bring the mixture to a boil.
• Lower the heat, cover the pot with a lid, and let it simmer for about 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until the mutton is tender and cooked through. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.

5. Add Vegetables:

• Once the mutton is almost cooked, add the cubed potatoes and sliced carrots to the stew.
• Continue to simmer until the vegetables are tender, about 15-20 minutes.

6. Finish with Coconut Milk:

• If using coconut milk, stir it into the stew during the last 5 minutes of cooking. The coconut milk adds richness and a slightly sweet flavor that complements the spices.
• Adjust the consistency by adding more water or stock if necessary. Simmer for a few more minutes to let the flavors meld together.

7. Final Touches:

• Stir in the garam masala powder and adjust the seasoning if needed.
• Remove the bay leaf, cinnamon stick, and cardamom pods.
• Garnish with freshly chopped coriander leaves.

Serving Suggestions:

• Serve the mutton stew hot with steamed rice, Indian bread (like naan or paratha), or crusty bread.
• It pairs well with a side of fresh salad or raita (yogurt dip) to balance the richness of the stew.

Notes:

• For a spicier stew, increase the quantity of green chilies or add some black pepper.
• The stew can be made ahead of time and tastes even better the next day as the flavors develop further.

This mutton stew is a hearty, flavorful dish that combines tender mutton with a rich, aromatic broth, making it perfect for a comforting meal.