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There is something extremely attractive about a bowl full of tender, flavorsome, succulent and sensational Indian mutton dishes, that meat lovers simply cannot resist. Be it the classic Lamb Korma or the Rajasthani Laal Maas, we bring you the best of mutton dishes, the rich flavours gets our taste buds like nothing else. Now mutton is a tough and strongly-flavored meat that needs utmost precision while cooking since it takes more time to marinate and cook well for the distinct taste to come out. And while it may feature prominently in various cuisines across the globe, from American burgers and British roasts, it is the Indian curries and stews that has a variety of ingredients to highlight the essence. After all it has been a favourite of Indian royalty - the Lal Maas from Rajasthan, Galouti Kebabs from Lucknow, Rogan Josh from Kashmir and the Awadhi Biryanis are some of the popular preparations that are proof of how mutton was the preferred meat in the royal kitchens of India in ancient times.
The traditional preparation of mutton in India highlights spices like cloves, cardamom, coriander powder, mace and nutmeg, which are used generously to enhance the flavour of meat. Besides marination plays an important role in cooking an Indian mutton dish. A mix of spices are used to flavour and tenderize the meat including use of yogurt. Now if you are planning to make mutton at home and wondering which delicacy to pick, we’ve got you covered with five of the most popular mutton recipes from India that you must try.
1. Rajasthani Laal Maas
A favourite of royalties, and of those who love all things spicy, Laal Maas is a fiery meat curry from Rajasthan, that comes loaded with red chillies. Mutton cooked in mustard oil and flavoured with the local kachri spice; this meat curry isn’t for the faint-hearted.
2. Rogan Josh
One of those dishes that defines Kashmiri cuisine, Rogan Josh is a signature Kashmiri curry that comes with meat cooked with browned onions, spices and yogurt. The highlight of Rogan Josh lies in the generous use of Kashmiri red chillies which imparts a dramatic red colour to the curry. The credit for Rogan josh originally goes to the Mughals who brought it to Kashmir.
3. Kosha Mangsho
Here's a traditional Bengali mutton curry, Kosha Mangsho literally translates to mutton curry. It is full of aromatic, rich spices, juicy mutton pieces combined together. It is just what you need for a lazy weekend lunch.
4. Nalli Nihari
A stew based dish, made by slow cooking meat along with the bone barrow, Nalli Nihari paired with Khameeri Roti makes for one of the most loved traditional breakfasts of Old Delhi, even today. Its origin dates back to the 17th-18th century, wherein as per some historians Nihari was developed in Old Delhi. While some say it were the Awadhi khansamas who introduced it in India.
5. Galouti Kebab
A highlight from the coveted Awadhi cuisine, Galouti kebabs were first made for the nawab of Lucknow, who was fond of kebabs. Legend has it that the Nawab Asa-ud-Daula had lost most of his dentures due to old age but his love for kebabs was intact; and so his khansamas started to make a kebab that would be so soft that the Nawab can enjoy it without chewing. Galouti literally translates to 'soft', something that melts in the mouth. These kebabs are made with finely minced mutton and shallow fried in desi ghee. Tender and juicy, galouti kebabs are believed to have been made with a melange of 150 spices when first invented.
