Junglee Mutton: Spicy Indian Curry

Red meat is a very rich ingredient. It usually tastes best when it is cooked in a spicy curry. That is why, most Indian mutton curries are made very spicy and often very oily as well. But red meat is not usually a part of our daily cuisine. When it is an occasional treat, you can afford to try mutton recipes that are extremely spicy. Junglee mutton is one such dish that fits the definition of Indian mutton curry perfectly.

Junglee mutton is basically a Rajasthani dish. That is why, this mutton recipe is high in red chillies and other spices as well. The whole essence of junglee mutton comes from the blood red curry. It is called 'junglee' mutton because this Indian mutton curry was cooked with wild hunted meat. When the Rajas of Rajputana went for their hunts, they cooked this dish on wood fire in the open. You cannot replicate the exact conditions in which junglee mutton is cooked. But here is a recipe that should help you get the same native taste.

Serves: 4
Preparation Time: 30 minutes
Cooking Time: 1 hour

Ingredients

• Mutton- 1 kg
• Onion- 2 (sliced)
• Garlic- 10 cloves
• Ginger- 2 inches
• Tomatoes- 2 (chopped)
• Turmeric- 1/2 tsp
• Dry red chillies- 8
• Shah jeera- 1tsp
• Pepper corns- 10
• Coriander seeds- 1tbsp
• Poppy seed- 1tsp
• Mustard seeds- 1/2 tsp
• Cinnamon stick- 1 inch
• Cardamom- 5 pods
• Bay leaf- 1
• Salt- as per taste
• Oil- 3tbsp

Procedure

1. Pressure cook the mutton with turmeric and salt for the duration of 3 whistles. Then drain away the water and keep the mutton pieces aside.
2. Grind all the whole spices namely red chillies, shah jeera, coriander seeds, pepper, mustard seeds and poppy seeds together.
3. Also make a separate paste of ginger and garlic.
4. Heat oil in a deep bottom pan. Season it with bay leaf, cinnamon and cardamom pods.
5. Then add the onions and saute for 4-5 minutes on a low flame.
6. Then add the ginger garlic paste and cook for 2 minutes on a low flame.
7. Add the boiled mutton to the pan and stir to mix it properly. Cook on a low flame for 3-4 minutes.
8. Finally pour the paste of spices you prepared. Mix it up with the mutton pieces.
9. Add tomatoes and sprinkle salt from the top.
10. Cook the mutton on a low flame for 7-8 minutes stirring regularly.
11. Add 3 cups of water, cover and cook on a low flame for 15 minutes.
12. You can season the curry with a bit of ghee for flavour.

Your junglee mutton curry is ready serve. You can have it with tandoori rotis or steamed rice.