Purani Dilli Style Dry Mutton Curry in Desi Ghee
Ingredients for Masala:
1. Jeera 1 tbs
2. Whole Dhaniya 3 tbs
3. Red Chillies 3 + 2
4. Black Cardamom 1 + 1
5. Green Cardamom 2
6. Javitri Flower 1
7. Cloves 5
8. Peppercorns 10
9. Star Anise 1
10. Nut Meg 1/4
Additional Ingredients:
1. Mutton 1 kg
2. Red Chillies 2
3. Black Cardamom 1
4. Star Anise 1
5. Bay Leaf 1
6. Curd 1/3 Cup
7. Red Onion 1 Medium (Chopped)
8. Green Chillies 5 (Cut in halves)
9. Red Chilli Powder 1 tbs
10. Dhaniya Powder 1 tbs
11. Salt 2 tsp
12. Curd 1/3 Cup
13. Water 3-4 Cups
14. Ghee 6 tbs
Marination Method:
1. Lightly toast the whole spices and make a powder.
2. Use half of this Masala + 1 Tbs of Red Chilli powder + 1 Tbs of Coriander powder + 1 Tbs of Salt and mix it with 1/3 cup of Curd
3. Now coat mutton thoroughly with the Curd and Masala paste.
4. Let in marinate for a minimum of 4 hours (overnight works best)
Cooking Method:
1. Heat 4 tbs of Ghee
2. Add 2 Dry Red Chilli + 1 Bay Leaf + 1 Star Anise
3. After 30 seconds, add chopped red onion
4. Cook Onions #UntilGoldenBrown
5. Add the rest of the Masala from step 2 of Marination method (See above)
6. After 30 seconds of adding Masala, add Mutton (Do not discard the bowl in which you Marinated)
7. Roast the Mutton very well in the Masala for 10 minutes (If the mix becomes too dry and starts to burn, add 2-3 Tbs of water
8. Add the Powdered Masalas - 1 tbs Red Chilli powder and 1 tbs of Coriander powder
9. Add 2 cups of water to the bowl that you used for Marination and scrape all Masala into the liquid
10. Add this liquid to the Mutton
11. Bring the mixture to a boil and then cover, turn the heat down to medium
12. Let it cook covered for 30 minutes, occasionally opening the lid and stirring (if you find the liquid has reduced too much and the Mutton is still not tender, add a little bit of water in small increments)
13. After 30 minutes, open the lid and bring the heat to medium-high
14. Add Green Chillies
15. Cook open for 10-15 minutes by constantly turning and stirring
16. Reduce the liquid according to how dry do you like your Mutton curry
17. Add tbs Ghee and cook for another 5-10 minutes
18. Done ✅
The combination of freshly toasted whole spices and desi ghee gives this Old Delhi-style mutton curry its distinctive character. Marinating the meat properly and allowing the masala to develop are particularly useful steps. Traditional recipes like this benefit from planning the ingredients beforehand. Families in Britain can also explore halal lamb and meat delivery when preparing similar slow-cooked dishes.