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:
- Clean the mutton pieces and marinate with turmeric powder, ginger-garlic paste, and salt.
- Let it marinate for 30 minutes to 1 hour.
2. Cook the Mutton:
- 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:
- Heat sesame oil in a deep pan or kadai over medium heat.
- Add mustard seeds, fennel seeds, dry red chilies, and curry leaves. Let them splutter.
- Add finely chopped onions and sauté until golden brown.
- Add ginger-garlic paste and cook until the raw smell disappears.
- Stir in green chilies and chopped tomatoes. Cook until the tomatoes soften and turn mushy.
4. Add Spices and Cook the Masala:
- Add turmeric powder, red chili powder, coriander powder, black pepper powder, and garam masala. Stir well and cook for 2–3 minutes.
- Add tamarind extract (or tamarind paste) and mix well.
5. Add the Cooked Mutton:
- Add the cooked mutton pieces along with the stock to the pan.
- 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:
- Adjust salt and spice levels to taste.
- 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
- Tender Mutton: Ensure the mutton is tender by marinating it well and cooking it under pressure.
- Gravy Consistency: Madurai Mutton Thokku is typically semi-dry, but you can adjust the water for your preferred consistency.
- Spices: The key to the dish’s depth of flavor is the balance of spices. Adjust chili and pepper levels according to your preference.
- 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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