Friday, May 27, 2011


Khatti Dal Gosht.
Tangy Lentil with Mutton.



This again is one of those closely guarded secrets of the Cutchi Memon community.

There is a saying that if you do not qualify by bloodline, then you would often receive the recipes without one vital ingredient that actually brings the whole dish together.

 “This is a matter that has triggered suspicion, speculation and conspiracy theories that could rival the plot of many a best seller.” Mrs. Hajra Mohammed, Hajra’s Recipes of Life for Life.

Ingredients:

·      500 gms Mutton on the bone, cut to 1 ½ “ pieces.
·      1 cup Tuvar dal.
·      2 medium onions, finely chopped.
·      4 medium tomatoes, finely chopped.
·      1 tsp ginger paste.
·      1 ½ tsp garlic paste.
·      2 tsp red chilly powder.
·      ¼ tsp turmeric powder.
·      2 ½ tsp zeera-methi powder.
·      1 tsp salt.
·      4 tsp tamarind pulp.
·      4 tbsp chopped coriander leaf.

Seasoning:

·      4 tsp oil.
·      ½ tsp mustard seeds.
·      1 tsp cumin seeds.
·      5 whole dried red chillies.
·      8 garlic cloves.
·      12 curry leaves.

Method:

1.     Put the meat in a colander, wash and set aside to drain.
2.     Combine the meat, dal, onions, tomatoes, ginger, garlic, spice powders, salt and 1 liter of water into a pressure cooker and cook for 10 – 15 minutes after the first whistle.
3.     Open the cooker when cool, remove the mutton pieces and set aside.
4.     Blend the remaining mixture in a food processor, till the dal fuses with the cooked ingredients.
5.     Reunite the mutton with the blended ingredients.
6.     Add the tamarind pulp, and cook for another 10 min, till the dal has the consistency of a gravy. The tamarind gives the mellow flavors a healthy punch.
7.     Now for the magic: put the oil in a pan on moderate heat till it smokes. Toss in the seasoning and allow them to crackle and release their aromas into the oil. When the garlic cloves begin to brown, lift the pan and pour the magical oil and its seasoning accompaniments into the dal. Inhale deeply.
8.     Give the dal a gentle stir, sprinkle in the chopped coriander leaves and serve with steaming hot rice.


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