Chettinad Mutton Masala

Ingredients (Serves 3 - 4):

Mutton                        --  ½ kg
Turmeric Powder   -- ½ tsp
Red Chilly Powder -- 2 tsp + 1 tsp
Coriander powder  -- 2 tsp
Ginger Garlic Paste -- ½ tsp + 1 tsp
Shallots                      -- 2 - 3 
Garlic                          -- 5 cloves
Onion                          -- 2 cups, finely chopped
Tomato                      -- 1 cup, finely chopped
Cloves                        -- 2
Cinnamon                -- 1 inch piece
Bay leaf                     -- 1
Fennel seeds          -- 2 tsp
Grated coconut    -- 2 tbsp
Poppy Seeds          -- 1 tsp
Curry leaves          -- 1 sprig
Salt                            -- to taste
Water                       -- 1-1½ cup
Oil                             -- 3 - 4 tbsp

Preparation:

Clean and cut the mutton into small pieces. Marinate it with turmeric powder, 2 tsp red chilly powder, coriander powder. salt and ½ tsp ginger garlic paste. Keep it aside for 30 minutes.

Heat 1 - 2 tbsp of oil in a pressure cooker and add the marinated mutton. Saute for 2 minutes. Add the chopped shallots, chopped garlic and water. Mix well and let it cook for 2 - 3 whistles.

Meanwhile, grind the cloves, cinnamon, bay leaves, fennel seeds and poppy seeds into a fine powder. Then add the grated coconut and water and grind into a paste.

Heat oil in a heavy bottomed pan. Add chopped onion, 1 tsp ginger garlic paste and curry leaves. Saute until they are translucent. Add the chopped tomatoes and saute until they are mushy.

Add the grounded masala and 1 tsp red chilly powder and saute until oil separates.

Now add all the gravy from the cooked muttom pieces and mix well. Do a salt check and adjust if required. Keep stirring until the water evaporates and it results in a semi - thick masala. Add the cooked mutton pieces and mix well to let it have the masala coated. Now let it fry until the desired consistency.

Serve with rice / chapathi.

You can also replace mutton with beef. I have tried it too.