Madurai Mutton Thokku Recipe

Madurai Mutton Thokku is a semi-dry, flavorful mutton curry from the southern part of Tamil Nadu. It is packed with spices and has a slightly tangy and spicy taste, making it perfect to serve with rice, dosa, or chapati.


Ingredients

For the Mutton:

  • 500g mutton (bone-in pieces)
  • 1/2 tsp turmeric powder
  • 1 tsp ginger-garlic paste
  • Salt to taste

For the Thokku:

  • 2 tbsp sesame oil (gingelly oil)
  • 1 tsp mustard seeds
  • 1 tsp fennel seeds
  • 2–3 dry red chilies
  • A few curry leaves
  • 2 medium onions, finely chopped
  • 2 tomatoes, finely chopped
  • 2 tbsp ginger-garlic paste
  • 2 green chilies, slit
  • 1/2 tsp turmeric powder
  • 1 tsp red chili powder
  • 2 tsp coriander powder
  • 1/2 tsp garam masala
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper powder
  • 1 tbsp tamarind extract (or 1 small lemon-sized tamarind ball)
  • 1/2 cup water (adjust as needed)
  • Fresh coriander leaves, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

1. Marinate the Mutton:

  1. Clean the mutton pieces and marinate with turmeric powder, ginger-garlic paste, and salt.
  2. Let it marinate for 30 minutes to 1 hour.

2. Cook the Mutton:

  1. Pressure cook the marinated mutton with 1/2 cup of water for 4–5 whistles, or until the mutton is tender. Set aside the cooked mutton and its stock.

3. Prepare the Thokku Base:

  1. Heat sesame oil in a deep pan or kadai over medium heat.
  2. Add mustard seeds, fennel seeds, dry red chilies, and curry leaves. Let them splutter.
  3. Add finely chopped onions and sauté until golden brown.
  4. Add ginger-garlic paste and cook until the raw smell disappears.
  5. Stir in green chilies and chopped tomatoes. Cook until the tomatoes soften and turn mushy.

4. Add Spices and Cook the Masala:

  1. Add turmeric powder, red chili powder, coriander powder, black pepper powder, and garam masala. Stir well and cook for 2–3 minutes.
  2. Add tamarind extract (or tamarind paste) and mix well.

5. Add the Cooked Mutton:

  1. Add the cooked mutton pieces along with the stock to the pan.
  2. Stir everything well and let the mixture cook for 10–15 minutes on low heat until the oil starts separating from the masala. If the gravy is too thick, add a little water to adjust the consistency.

6. Finish and Garnish:

  1. Adjust salt and spice levels to taste.
  2. Garnish with freshly chopped coriander leaves.

Serving Suggestions

  • Best with: Steamed rice, dosa, chapati, or idiyappam.
  • Serve with a side of crispy appalam (papad) for an extra crunch.

Tips for Perfect Madurai Mutton Thokku

  1. Tender Mutton: Ensure the mutton is tender by marinating it well and cooking it under pressure.
  2. Gravy Consistency: Madurai Mutton Thokku is typically semi-dry, but you can adjust the water for your preferred consistency.
  3. Spices: The key to the dish’s depth of flavor is the balance of spices. Adjust chili and pepper levels according to your preference.
  4. Searing the Mutton: For extra flavor, you can pan-sear the cooked mutton pieces after adding them to the masala.

Enjoy the robust and flavorful Madurai Mutton Thokku, a dish that’s full of character and spices! 🍖🔥🌶️


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