Kharda Mutton- A spicy, zesty, and rustic dry mutton preparation that shines in its pure simplicity. No frills recipe that uses only few basic Ingredients, but its taste is going to linger on your taste buds for a longer time.
Mutton Kharda is an interesting recipe that combines mutton with spiciness of Thecha or Kharda. If you are not familiar with Thecha or Kharda- check out its recipe on our blog. It is usually served as an accompaniment with Jowar Bhakri, Pithla and/or Vangyache Bharit. Mirchi cha Thecha provides that desired kick to the taste buds.
Conventionally Mutton Kharda is a spicy, piquant preparation but to suit the palate of broader audiences or folks who are not accustomed to spicy food can tone down the spiciness by reducing number of chilies. However, if you are like me, who experiments with food and practices such daredevilry occasionally, feel free to add in more chilies.
As I stated in the beginning, this is a no frill recipe. We are making use of very few ingredients in this preparation. Conventionally in this dish mutton is cooked in an open pot instead of a pressure cooker. I prefer pressure cooker as it saves me a lot of time. However, if you prefer to stick to roots and want to cook in a pot, it may take anywhere around 45-60 mins depending on the quality of mutton used.
Mutton is cooked separately and tossed later in the Kharda mixture. I have added garam masala and pinch of sugar, both of which are an optional ingredient and can be skipped if you want to. Garam masala packs a final punch and not only adds to aroma but also adds to the flavors. I prefer adding sugar to dishes that has medley of various flavors, as it plays an important role in balancing these varied flavors. However, let me reiterate these are some modern-day twists to the recipe and if you prefer same conventional method, you can skip both ingredients.
Make this spicy, zesty, and rustic dry mutton preparation that shines in its pure simplicity. No frills recipe that uses only few basic Ingredients, but its taste is going to linger on your taste buds for a longer time.
Mutton Kharda goes well with Chapatis or Bhakris. If you are a rice person like me, having some steamed rice along with spicy Kharda is what I call as a “soul-satisfying” moment.
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Cook time:
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Serves: 3-4
- 500 gms Mutton
- ½ tsp-Turmeric Powder
- Salt for taste
- 1-tbsp Lemon Juice
- 15-20 Green Chilies
- 10-15 Cloves of Garlic
- 1 Cup Coriander Leaves
- 2-tbsp dry Coconut
- Pinch of Sugar
- 1-tsp Garam Masala
- ½-inch Cinnamon stick
- 3-4 Cloves
- ¼th-tsp Peppercorns
- 100 gms Onions- chopped
- Cooking Oil
- 1-tsp Cumin Seeds
- Marinate mutton pieces with lemon juice, salt and turmeric powder and keep it covered for 30 mins.
- We will cook mutton in a pressure cooker. Put 2-3 tbsp Cooking Oil and heat it. Add Cinnamon sticks, Cloves and Peppercorns. Fry for 20-30 seconds.
- Add chopped Onions and fry until it becomes brown in color. Fry for 8-10 mins on medium Heat.
- Add marinated mutton and mix well. Cook on High heat for 3-4 mins (searing). Add 1 cup water and mix well. Cover and cook on High heat for 2-3 mins. Reduce heat and seal the pressure cooker. Pressure cook for 3-4 whistles on Medium heat
- Now, we will make Kharda. Put another vessel on heat. Heat 2-3 tbsp Cooking Oil. Add Garlic and fry until Garlic becomes light brown in color (1 min)
- Add Green Chilies and fry for 1-2 mins. Add dry coconut and fry until Coconut becomes light brown (2-3 mins). Add Coriander leaves and mix well. Kharda mixture is now ready. We will grind this into a paste
- In the same pan, heat 2-3 tbsp Cooking Oil. Add Cumin Seeds for Tadka. Fry Kharda on low heat.
- Add some water and cook if the mixture becomes dry. Add cooked mutton and mix well.
- Add about ½ cup mutton stew (water in which mutton was cooked in pressure cooker) and cook covered for 5-7 mins. Add salt to taste and garam masala powder for some more extra flavor.
- Add pinch of Sugar (Chef's Tip). Adding Sugar is optional but adding it plays an important role in balancing other favors. So do try!
- Mutton Kharda-मटण खर्डा is now ready.
Click here to watch recipe video
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