Kari Vathakal/Mutton fry recipe

Kari Vathakal/Mutton Fry 

This recipe is from a tamil cookbook (Paavaiyarukana Palsuvai Malar) which my mother gave me for my marriage. Its a very good book which has so many recipes including baking.

Ingredients:

1. Mutton - 300 gm
2. Tomato Sauce - 2tsp
3. Chilli powder - 1 and 1/2 tsp
4. Gingelly oil - 3tsp
5. Big Onion - 1 medium sized (finely chopped)
6. Salt - as needed
7. Turmeric powder - 3/4 tsp
8. Coriander leaves - to garnish

To Saute and Grind:

1. Gingelly oil - 1 tsp
2. Red chilli (small variety) - 5
3. Jeera - 1tsp
4. Coriander seeds - 2tsp

Method:

•  Clean mutton and cut into small pieces.
•  Saute and grind to a powder the ingredients given in the 'To Saute and grind' list. Saute till a nice aroma arises.

•  Heat oil in a pressure cooker and add the onion. Saute the onions till golden brown.
• Add the cleaned and chopped mutton pieces and add turmeric and give a stir.
• Add the ground masala powder, stir and add water enough to cook the mutton (I used nearly 3/4 cup). Add salt and close the cooker.

• Cook the mutton upto 7 or 8 whistles or till soft. Open the cooker and wait for water to reduce. When the water level has reduced a little, add the chilli powder and tomato sauce.

• Stir occasionally till the desired consistency is reached and switch off. Serve garnished with coriander leaves.

Notes:

1. This can be served as a side to any non veg gravy with rice. It goes well with rasam also. You can have it with dosa also ( switch off before it reaches a dry stage to have it with dosa).

2. In the original recipe, they had cooked mutton first with salt and turmeric and then cooked it separately with the ground masala. But I cook it like this as it is less time consuming.

3. You can also reduce the spice level.

4. Make sure the mutton is cooked well.