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Mutton or goat meat is one of the most widely consumed red meats in India. It is a brilliant source of protein and healthy fats. Mutton is something that is found in various forms in Indian cuisine. From mutton curry to mutton kababs, Indians love eating meat in whichever version is available. With a decadent blend of spices and herbs, mutton is cooked in a way that is enough to make anyone salivate. Mutton in India is influenced by the numerous colonizers and rulers, starting from the British to the Mughals. The indigenous spices and herbs blended with the experiments of the colonizers are what make mutton dishes beloved in the country. However, the delicious and succulent meat involves some technicalities which can turn the entire dish around. Although we love mutton in every form, nobody loves chewy or undercooked meat. We’ve got you covered with some hacks to make your mutton tender to enjoy the succulent meat.
- Use of a marinade
Marinating meat not only packs up flavours but also preserves the moisture and makes the meat succulent. Marinating mutton with lemon juice, vinegar, curd or buttermilk breaks down the tough proteins and makes it tender by the time it hits the flame.
- Salty affair
If you want to store your meat for 24 hours or more without compromising on the moisture content, add salt to the meat before storing it. The salt will create a natural brine and will give the meat a deep red colour while cooking.
- Ample resting time
No matter how well you cook your mutton, it’ll turn out to be dry and chewy if you don’t let it rest. Rest the meat at least for 15 minutes to allow the juice to redistribute evenly. - Slow-cooking
Cooking tough cuts at low temperatures for a long time breaks down collagen and tough fibers, resulting in tender meat. You can braise the meat in a flavoured broth or cook it using a slow cooker to get tender pieces of meat.
- Marinade with fruits
If you are planning to make kebabs or cutlets, try tenderizing your meat with fruit purees. Fruits with bromelain content can tenderize your meat and make it juicy. Try adding purees of fruits like pineapple, kiwi and Asian pears to your meat along with your favourite seasonings and spices. Read this article to know how Mughals discovered a new way of tenderizing meat with fruit purees.
You can try these hacks the next time you cook mutton to enjoy succulent and tender pieces of meat. Do not forget to get the rights cuts and adding the right spices to enjoy the delectable flavours.
