Mutton Paya Soup / Trotters / Goat Legs Soup #SoupSwappers

Mutton Paya Soup is  made from the legs of goat/ lamb which are also called as  trotters / paya and this is a very healthy soup recipe.  This  bone broth is medicinal in ways its really good for bones, since it actually strengthens our bones.

  This is excellent when one has undergone surgery or when the  doctor tells you have iron, protein, calcium rich food for speedy recovery which helps you to  regain your health quickly.  

In soup swappers this month Wendy , our host, asked us to share a soup that has special memories for you and memories associated with it.

This delicious recipe for paya soup comes from my mother, its a East Indian recipe.  This one soup that we all  really loved and would wait when my mummy would make it.  She would make this practically every alternate week, since always one of the six siblings would be down with cough or cold.  My second sister and me, always suffered from running nose through out the year.  Mummy would make these with freshly pounded spices.  I, have made it with my  Homemade Garam Masala powder that is made for the whole year.

This is such a delicious, healthy soup and you must try it.

Ingredients
4 Goat legs / Paya - cut into pieces
1 Onion - finely chopped
1 Green Chilly - finely chopped
3 Cloves Garlic - finely chopped
1/2 An Inch Piece of Ginger - finely chopped
1 Bay leaf
1 Teaspoon Homemade Garam Masala powder
1/2 Teaspoon Heaped Turmeric powder
1/2 Teaspoon Black Pepper powder
Salt to taste
1/2 Teaspoon Sugar 

1 Tablespoon Oil

Method

Wash the pieces of paya/ lamb legs very well with wheat flour and  then in fresh water for about 5-6 times. This  washing is essential,  paya contains tiny hair which are not visible and cleaning them with wheat flour basically takes the hair out and gives a hair free paya.

Heat oil in  a pressure pan, add  ginger, garlic paste, bay leaf, onions and green chilly, saute till the onions are soft. 

Add the paya pieces, garam masala, turmeric and black pepper powders, salt, sugar, mix well.  Then add 4  cups of water & pressure cook  for one whistle on high flame then for  20 minutes  for very low flame or till done. 

Remove from heat check for seasoning, garnish with chopped coriander leaves and mint leaves (optional ).  I did not add, Serve hot and enjoy with crusty bread slices.  It's so delicious and turned out awesome!

My Notes

This mutton paya can be made in slow cooker too.

Labels  : Soup, Paya, Soup Swappers, Healthy, Mutton, East Indian, Trotters

An InLinkz Link-up

English Stew#SoupSaturdaySwappers

This is a flavorful, light and delicious stew, with veggies.  I was, not a fan of stew, since for me stew  is bland food.  But, after I, made this stew and tasted it, changed my mind set and now this is made often. 

What I like about making stews that it takes less effort and time to prepare, not much of cutting, chopping or cleaning and washing of utensils.  

Ingredients

500 Grams Mutton / Lamb - cut into small pieces
1 Teaspoon Salt
1/2 Teaspoon White pepper powder
3 Pepper Corns
3 Cloves
1 Big Cardamons
2 Green Cardamon
1 Stick Cinnamon
1 Tablespoons Vinegar
3 Cups Water
2 Potatoes - cut in square pieces
2 Carrots - cut in cubes
1/2 Cup Peas
2 Tablespoons Soya sauce
8 Baby Onions or shallots
2 Tablespoons All Purpose Flour
1 Cup Milk
2 Tablespoons Butter

Method

Mix the flour and milk well to make a lump free mixture, keep aside.

Pressure cook the mutton, with salt pepper, whole spices, soya sauce, vinegar and water, till mutton till tender. Now add potatoes, carrot, cook till done,  also add in peas and onion. 

Simmer on low flame for 15 minutes till done. See that at least 2 cups of stock is left after the veggies are cooked or else add water. Now add in flour and milk mixture, butter, and keep stirring till the milk is incorporated well into the stew, let it simmer again for 5 to 10 minutes or till it thickens.

Serve with boiled rice.  

The next day I, reheated the leftover stew and it tasted even more better. I love this comfort food.  You can enjoy this with crusty bread too.

Sending this to Soup Saturday Swappers.

Labels : Mutton, Stew, Soup Swappers, Healthy

An InLinkz Link-up

Paya / Trotters Ka Salan

This is a no fuss recipe ~ there is no grinding just quick and easy to make ~ and mouth watering ...

Ingredients6 Goat Trotters / Paya - cut into pieces
2 Large Onions - sliced
1.½ Tablespoons Ginger - Garlic Paste
2 Teaspoon Heaped Red Chili Powder
¼ Teaspoon Turmeric powder
1.½ Teaspoon Coriander Powder
½ Teaspoon Garam Masala powder
100 Grams Yogurt or 1/2 Cup
1 Teaspoon Sea Salt or according to taste
½ Cup Oil

For the Tempering  ~Whole Spices

2 Sticks Cinnamon
4 Green Cardamoms
1 Big Brown Cardamon
6 Cloves
10 Black Peppercorns
1 Bay Leaf

A Handful of Coriander Leaves - chopped

Method
Hair removed payas, do not buy skinned ones ~~ the flesh and taste will be lost. Wash and clean the payas. Then rub the payas with wheat flour well and wash them clean again. Keep aside.

Mix the ginger garlic paste  in 1/4 cup water and keep aside.

Mix  the chilly, turmeric and coriander powders into the  yogurt and beat it well.  

Heat oil in a pressure pan add the whole spices and onions . Fry the onions till dark golden brown , add ginger garlic paste, fry till the oil leaves the sides, then add the yogurt and 1/4 up water fry again till oil leaves the sides,  add salt and the payas, fry the payas for 5 minutes on high flame. Add 3 cups of water, close the cooker and on high flame take one whistle, then reduce the flame to low and cook for 35 to 40 minutes. Switch off the flame. Let the cooker cool then open it, if necessary adjust the gravy consistency by adding more water ( this gravy should be not watery or else the flavor and taste will the lost ).  Switch on flame and bring it to a rolling boil then add the garam masala and coriander leaves give it a quick stir.  Switch of the flame.  

Serve hot with roti, bhakri, naan or steamed rice ~~simply  delicious ...

Labels : Mutton, Paya

Mutton Chettinad

Always wanted to prepare chettinad curry, was looking for an authentic recipe. One Sunday my friend Reena sent me Chicken Chettinad for lunch, it was so delicious that I, asked her for the recipe.  She sent the cook book of Rakesh Sethi. After a few weeks prepared it for our get - together but with mutton and it tasted awesome. So here is the recipe...

Recipe Source - Rakesh Sethi Cook book

Ingredients

1 Kg Mutton
4 Onions  - sliced
5 Tomatoes  - chopped
Juice of 2 Lemons
4 Tablespoons Coriander leaves - chopped (optional)
Salt to taste
1/2 Cup  Oil 

2 Sprigs Curry Leaves

For the masala - grind to paste 

1/2  Cup Coconut - grated
6-8 long Dry Red chillies (I used Bedgi + Kashmiri)

3 Tablespoons Poppy seeds /Khus Khus
5 cloves
2 inch piece Cinnamon
4 green Cardamoms
1 Star anise / Phoolchakri
2 Tablespoons Fennel seeds / Saunf

1 Teaspoon Black peppercorns
2 inches Ginger
6 Garlic flakes
2 Teaspoon Oil
1 Teaspoon Garam Masala powder
2 Teaspoons Turmeric powder 

Method
Wash and drain the mutton pieces  on a colander.

Heat little oil in a pan and roast the dry red chillies, poppy seeds, green cardamoms, cloves, cinnamon, fennel, star anise and grated coconut till the lightly golden in color.  Grind to a coarse paste along with ginger & garlic.

Heat oil in a pressure pan and fry the onions till golden. Toss in the curry leaves and fry for a few seconds and then add the ground paste and saute for some time. Add the chopped tomatoes and the turmeric powder and fry for a couple of minutes

Add the mutton pieces, mix well and cook for 5 minutes on a medium high flame. Add salt to taste and 1 cup water, . Cover & cook till done.  When the cooker cools open it and check if mutton is done add the lime juice and garam masala powder . If you want more gravy add a little extra water to achieve the desired consistency.

Garnish with chopped coriander and serve hot with rice or chapathis.

Linking this to Valli's 'Cooking from Cookbook Challenge: May -- Week 4.

Labels : Mutton, CCChallenge, South Indian

Lamb Pepper Bake

This recipe I watch on a TV and for long time wanted to try this, but since only I eat red meat did not make this recipe.  Now since we are in the month of baking I got an opportunity to try this.  This was really delicious and a one pot meal, very filling.  I halved the recipe and made.  This is serves 3, as a filling  and complete meal.

Ingredients

500 Grams Lamb Meat - boneless - cut into small cubes
2 Tablespoon Coriander Leaves - finely chopped
15 Curry Leaves
1 Small Capsicum - cut into cubes
4 Green chillies - finely chopped

3 Large Tomatoes - pureed and strained
2 Tablespoon All Purpose Flour
1 Teaspoon Black pepper
1 Teaspoon Red Chilly Powder
1/2 Cup Cheddar Cheese grated (I used Gouda)
4 Tablespoons Fresh Bread crumbs
4 Cloves
2 Sticks Cinnamon
4 Green Cardamom

2 Eggs - beaten

Method

Heat oil in a pan , add cloves cinnamon, green cardamom, onion till soft and transparent.  Then add ginger garlic paste stir fry,  add the lamb cubes and fry for 4 minutes, add the tomatoes puree and fry on high flame till water slightly dries, then add salt, black pepper and garam masala,  add water for the  gravy. Let it cook for 5 minutes on low flame.  Mix the   all purpose flour mixed in water, then add the slurry little by little till thick ,  and lightly stir fry for a minute , take off the flame.

Grease a baking dish well then pour  the lamb mix 

Arrange the capsicum on top

Add lightly beaten cream.

Sprinkle the bread crumbs on top

 then beaten eggs.  Then top it with cheese grated.

In another pan take 2 tablespoon oil heat add curry leaves and pour over the cheese.

Cover with an aluminium foil and bake at 180 degrees for 20 to 25 minutes .  Then remove the foil and keep it on broil for 3 - 5 minutes  or till well browned on top and it starts leaving the sides.  Enjoy when cooled.

Check out the Blogging Marathon page for the other Blogging Marathoners doing BM# 51

Labels : Mutton, Blogging Marathon,

An InLinkz Link-up

Reshteh Polo - The Persian Pilaf -Persian Rice with Noodles

This month in Mena's Cooking Club, I am travelling to Persia ( Iran) our host Sanam of My Persian Kitchen choose this recipe for the savory.

Reshteh is a  Persian word for thread or string. Traditionally for this recipe the noodles used would be homemade. Reshteh was the only word used to denote noodles in Arab cookbooks of the 13th and 14th centuries. Special symbolism is given to dishes that contain noodles when a decision of importance or change is to occur; the noodles or "reins" of one's life are to be taken in hand. A traditional dish in Iran is reshteh polow or pilaf, which is served during the Persian new year with the noodles representing the threads of life and family intertwined. 

The reshteh used in the Iranian cuisine is actually a thicker type of noodle, used in reshteh polow and also a type of ash, called Ash Reshteh
Reshteh Polow, is a Persian delicacy, generally cooked for Nawroz, the Persian New Year. Depending on the dialect, Reshteh Polo can be spelled a few different ways. Polo can be spelled polou or polow.  You should, try and prepare this dish at least once. I am sure you would be happy that you did it.

Here, for this recipe, after going through many recipes and after careful thinking just gave it a slight change to suit my taste.  This preparation  is a lengthy process, but the effort is worth it. This will serve 3 persons for a main course.

Ingredients
1 Cup Long grain Basmati rice
50 Grams Spaghetti
300 Grams Mutton  - cut into chunks
1 Onion - finely chopped
1 Teaspoon Cinnamon powder
1/2 Teaspoon Turmeric powder

1/2 Teaspoon Coriander powder

1/2 Teaspoon Cumin powder
1 Teaspoon Orange Peel

2 Sticks of Cinnamon

8 Peppercorns
Salt to taste
Pepper to taste
4 Large Dates
1 Tablespoon Raisins
1/4 cup Warm water
Pinch Saffron

3 Tablespoons Oil 

2 Tablespoons Butter 

1/4 Cup Curds

Method 

 Rinse the rice three times in fresh water to remove the excess starch.  Add water to cover by about 1 inch and set aside to soak for at least 15 minutes.

In a pan add the oil and heat over medium flame. Break the spaghetti  into pieces about 3 inches long. Toss them into the oil and saute, stirring constantly, until lightly toasted. Remove and set aside.

In the same pan add little oil if needed, and then stir in the chunks of meat and brown on all sides on high flame (so that the juices of the meat are sealed). Remove to a plate and set aside.

In the same pan add the onions,cinnamon sticks, peppercorns,  cinnamon, turmeric, coriander, cumin powders and saute until the onions are translucent and browned.  Then add back the browned meat, a cup of water, the orange peel, salt and pepper.  Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low, cover and simmer until the meat is cooked and tender and about 1/4 cup of stock is still present.  Stir in the raisins and dates, simmer for another two minutes. Remove the meat mixture to a large bowl and set aside.

In a another large vessel add enough amount of water with a teaspoon of salt. Bring the water to a boil. Stir in the rice and let it cook till 80% done.  Strain the rice in and risen in fresh cold water to stop the cooking process, keep this aside.

In the same rice vessel  add enough water with a pinch of salt and  bring it to a boil add the toasted  spaghetti and cook this too till 80% done. Strain and risen in fresh cold water to stop the cooking process, keep this aside.

Soak the saffron in the warm water and keep aside (Ah see the setting sun).

In a bowl take the curds and 1/4th quantity of the cooked the rice  mix it well and keep aside.

Mix the remaining rice and noodles together and keep aside.

In a heavy bottomed pan melt butter to cover the bottom of the pan. Place the curd rice mixture at the bottom evenly. Spread the meat mixture evenly over the layer of rice. Then spread the remaining rice evenly over the meat.Use  spoon to poke holes down into the rice all the way to the bottom of the pot. 

Pour the saffron-scented water over the top layer of rice. Place fine slices of butter on top.

Cover the vessel with a aluminium foil, then with  a lid. This process is necessary since this keeps the steam from  dripping back down into the rice.

Place this on high heat for 5 minutes, then reduce to low and steam for about 35 minutes.  Remove the vessel from heat and let rest for 10 minutes.

As I am writing this post, the rice is cooking on the stove and the aroma of it is filling the house.  I am, waiting for it to be ready and just dig into it..... too long a wait...

Carefully invert this onto a large serving dish. Serve with crusty rice from the bottom of the pot,crumbled over the top.  Decorate the plate with cream curds, spaghetti, orange peel and almonds.

 

At last!  the wait is over and I, had my fill ...  ate to my heart's content and now, just to take a nap.  Too full to keep awake.  So bye, you too try and enjoy.

Note:

I first thought that I would eliminate the dates and  raisins.  But on second thoughts, used them and let me assure you that this sweet taste, blends well with the salty meat and rice.

I cooked the mutton in a pressure cooker for 10 minutes.

Ensure that the rice and spaghetti is cooked 80% or else the end result will be mashed and not grainy. 

For reshteh polow you can use both Beef, Lamb or chicken.
Homemade noodles called Reshteh are traditional for this dish. Pre-made, pre-toasted reshteh are available only in Middle Eastern markets. Since I couldn't find them in India, substituted it with spaghetti. 

Check to see what the other members are doing here.

Labels: Mutton, Rice, Healthy, Main course, Vegan, Continental Cuisine, Mena Cooking Club, Persia

Mutton Kebabs

These delicious, juicy kebabs can be made with any minced meat you like, but I like lamb best. They are a terrific appetizer but also make a nice side dish to the main course meal. Serve them with Mint Chutney.

Ingredients for Kebabs
1/2 kg Mutton Mince – chicken or beef can also be used
2 Medium size Onions
3 Tablespoons Coriander, finely chopped
4 Green Chilies finely chopped
1 Teaspoon Turmeric powder
1 Teaspoon Ginger  finely chopped

1 Teaspoon Garlic finely chopped
2 Whole Dry Red Chili

1 + 1 Egg
1 Teaspoon Garam Masala
A juice of a Lemon
2 Slices of bread- powdered in a mixer

Salt – to taste
Bread Crumbs as needed
Oil – for pan frying

Method
Wash and drain mince squeeze it, remove the any excess water.

Take the mince in a pressure pan add the whole dry red chili chopped in small pieces, turmeric powder and salt to taste, take 2 whistles without adding any water. When cooled check if there is any water then on high flame dry the mince, then grind it to a fine paste.

In a another kadai heat a teaspoon oil add the onion and ginger-garlic and fry till light pink, cool this mixture. 

In a bowl put the mince the onion mixture, coriander leaves, green chillies, garam masala, an egg, bread powder and the juice of the lemon and mix well. Cover the bowl with a cling film and place in the fridge for hour. 

After an hour take the mixture from the fridge, if the mixture seems to “wet” to hold the shape of the kebab, bread crumbs can be added to absorb the moisture. Take each portion and form it into a long sausage-like kebab while pressing on to a wooden skewer. Do this till the mix has firmly adhered to the skewer.  

Oil on your hands to prevent meat from sticking to them. Do this till all the kebab mix is used up.

Lighlty beat an egg dip the Kebabs in egg and then in breadcrumbs, pat them with your hands lightly.   

Heat a little Oil in a skillet.  Place all the skewers,  brown the kebabs on one side, then flip them over and brown on the other side. 

These can be grilled - grilling on a coal fire gives them a lovely smokey flavor - basting with cooking oil as required, till the meat is done. Turn as often as required.
Serve hot with Mint Chutney.

I made some round to make Burgers and skewer ones put them into the wraps.  

Tip –
If you are making a large batch of the kebabs, you can place them on an oiled baking sheet, spray them with cooking oil and broil them on High in your oven for 5-7 minutes on each side.

Labels: Mutton, Starters, Kebabs 

Kerala Beef Curry

Beef Curry is quite popular in the Indian state of Kerala, this spicy curry tastes best with Kerala Porotta. This is a very tasty and easy to make.

Ingredients
250 gms Beef – cubed
1 Medium Tomato – chopped
1 Large Onion – sliced
2 Green chillies – slit
3 Cardamoms
3 Cloves
4 Black Peppercorns
1 Bay leaves
1 Stick Cinnamon
1/2 Star anise
1 Teaspoon Ginger - Garlic paste
2 Tablespoons Oil -
1 Teaspoon Chilli powder
1 Teaspoon Coriander powder
¼ Teaspoon Turmeric powder

A sprig Curry leaves 

Coriander leaves – for garnishing 

Method
Roast the bay leaves, cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, black peppercorns, star anise lightly and powder it.

Heat oil in a pan add onion, curry leaves and saute till brown.
Now add the ginger- garlic paste, saute till oil leaves the sides. To this add chilli , coriander and turmeric powder, again saute for 2 minutes, add water a little to cook the masala and then add the tomatoes, green chillies and beef. Fry the beef till the water is all absorbed, and the beef is brown in color.

Transfer this to a cooker and add water till the level of the meat and mix. Pressure-cook it till on high flame for a whistle reduce, keep it on slow flame and cook till done. Now add the garam masala (the ground powder) and salt , check if the meat is cooked properly, if the meat is not cooked add a little water if necessary and cook till it becomes tender. Garnish with coriander leaves. Serve it with rice, porotta or chapattis.

Labels: Beef, Kerala, Main course, Pressure Cooker

Skoudehkaris

September 10, 2014

This month's in Mena Cooking Club, we are making Djibouti food.  Our host Amira chose two different recipes one sweet and one savory.  In the savory she gave us a choice a Somali Soup or Skoudehkaris. I chose to make the National dish of Djibouti - Skoudehkaris. The original recipe is taken from here, with step by step pictures and method.

Skoudehkaris is basically a seasoned meat and classic one-pot stew of lamb or beef cooked in a spiced tomato-based sauce with rice, that would be traditionally be cooked over a fire nomadic style.

A little information about Djibouti. Facing, as it does, the narrowest point of the Persian Gulf, Djibouti lies in a strategic position. It has been used as a landing point for vessels following the Spice Trade for many centuries. As a result, as well as native cuisines (which are very similar to those of neighbouring Ethiopia) Djibouti also has strong Arabic, Indian and British influences. The Portugese also brought the techniques of roasting and marinating foods to this country. Arabs introduced saffron, cinnamon, pomegranate juice and other spices to the country and exotic Asian fruit like pineapple, lemon, orange and limes as well as New World foods like bell peppers, chillies, tomatoes and maize are common. The Djiboutienne staple is a flatbread called Injeera, which is used to wrap various meat and vegetable dishes.

When Mena emailed that I, could participate in this event with the details is was very excited.  When I checked the dish that had to prepare,  all childhood memories came to my mind.  I started telling my husband, childhood stories about eating mutton.  I use not eat mutton and did  not like the smell of it being cooked in the house.  My mother use to cook the mutton and the broth she used to give me, which I disliked, hence I used to get punished for not having it. I never ate mutton till I got married.  How I started eating it after my marriage is big story which I, will definitely tell you in another post. 

Since the recipe was already given to us I, decided not make any changes and use it as given.  I only reduced the quantity of mutton and rice since I, am the only one eating mutton in the house.  Here is how I made it.

Ingredients

2oo Grams Mutton with bones  -  cubed
1  Large Onion -  chopped
1 Tablespoon Vegetable Oil
1/2 Teaspoon  Cumin seeds
4 Cloves
2 Cardamom
1/4 Teaspoon Cayenne powder or Chilly powder

2 Inch Stick of Cinnamon
2 Large  Ripe Tomatoes - Skinned and diced
800 Ml  Water

A cube of soup seasoning
1/4  Cup Long-grain Rice - washed
Salt & Pepper to taste

Method 

In a griddle lightly roast the cumin, cloves, cardamon and cinnamon.  Grind this to a fine powder.

Heat a large pan with oil, add onions and cook till they are translucent.  Add in the lamb and push the onions to the sides of the pan so that the meat can get contact with the pan, brown it a little. Add the ground spices, cayenne powder and stir fry it for a second. Now, add in the tomatoes and water. Cover and simmer for an hour or until the meat is tender.

After an hour add the rice and again cover and cook for 20 minutes or until rice is cooked.

This brothy stew is ready.  Taste, then add salt and pepper.  Serve hot garnished with chopped coriander leaves.

The aroma of this stew while cooking is awesome.  I just covered the pan with aluminium foil and left it on slow flame to simmer.   It does not require any attention. After I, added the rice,  gave it a quick stir, covered it foil and  left it to simmer on slow flame until the rice is tender.  This serves as a meal for 2.  As I was enjoying this stew, remembered all the trouble I gave my mother and said "Sorry Mummy". 

The remaining  I, had next day with 2 slices of garlic bread and it tasted even more delicious.  So enjoy this dish, or as they say in Djibouti, بالهنا والشفا! (bil-hanā' wa ash-shifā') or Bon appétit!

 
Check Out Other Members Recipes Here.


Labels: Mutton, Continental Cuisine, Mena Cooking Club, Djibouti, Soup