A rich, aromatic slow-cooked mutton stew where the meat becomes incredibly tender. This classic Mughlai dish, seasoned with a special blend of spices, is a true delicacy often enjoyed with warm naan.
Prep30 min
Cook180 min
Servings4
Serving size: 1.5 cups
686cal
45gprotein
19gcarbs
49g
Ingredients
750 g Mutton Shanks (bone-in, also known as nalli)
A classic Awadhi flatbread, famously cooked on an inverted griddle (ulta tawa). This paratha is wonderfully soft with a slightly crisp exterior and a unique dome shape, making it the perfect vessel for scooping up rich curries like Galouti Kebab or Korma.
Rich, aromatic Nihari with crispy Paratha - a protein-packed, soul-satisfying comfort food!
This awadhi dish is perfect for dinner. With 1004.03 calories and 53.18g of protein per serving, it's a nutritious choice for your meal plan.
fat
6 pcs Cloves (for nihari masala)
4 pcs Green Cardamoms (for nihari masala)
1 pc Black Cardamom (for nihari masala)
1 inch Cinnamon Stick (for nihari masala)
1 pc Bay Leaf (for nihari masala)
1 strand Mace (for nihari masala)
0.25 tsp Nutmeg Powder (for nihari masala)
2 tsp Kashmiri Red Chili Powder (for color)
1 tsp Red Chili Powder (adjust to taste)
0.5 tsp Turmeric Powder
1.5 tsp Salt (or to taste)
4 cups Water (hot)
2 inch Ginger (for garnish, cut into juliennes)
3 pcs Green Chili (for garnish, slit lengthwise)
3 tbsp Coriander Leaves (for garnish, chopped)
1 pc Lemon (for serving, cut into wedges)
Instructions
1
Prepare the Nihari Masala
In a dry skillet over low heat, toast the whole spices: fennel seeds, black peppercorns, cloves, green and black cardamoms, cinnamon stick, bay leaf, and mace.
Toast for 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently, until they become fragrant. Be careful not to burn them.
Remove from heat and let the spices cool completely.
Transfer the cooled spices to a grinder. Add the dry ginger powder and nutmeg powder, and grind to a very fine powder. Set this fresh Nihari masala aside.
2
Brown the Mutton
Heat ghee in a heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
Add the thinly sliced onions and fry for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they are deep golden brown and crisp (berista). Remove half of the fried onions and set aside for garnish.
To the remaining onions in the pot, add the mutton shanks. Sear the meat on all sides for 5-7 minutes until it's well-browned.
Add the ginger-garlic paste and sauté for another 2 minutes until the raw aroma disappears.
3
Slow Cook the Nihari
Reduce the heat to low. Add the prepared Nihari masala, Kashmiri red chili powder, red chili powder, turmeric powder, and salt. Stir for 1 minute to cook the spices.
Add the whisked yogurt and stir continuously for 3-4 minutes until the oil begins to separate from the masala.
Pour in 4 cups of hot water, stir well, and bring the mixture to a rolling boil.
Once boiling, reduce the heat to the absolute lowest setting. Cover the pot with a tight-fitting lid and let it simmer for 3-4 hours. The key is a very gentle simmer, not a boil. The mutton should be fall-off-the-bone tender.
4
Thicken the Gravy
After the slow cooking is complete, skim off the layer of red oil (rogan/tari) from the surface and set it aside. This will be used for garnish.
In a small bowl, whisk the whole wheat flour with 1/2 cup of room temperature water to create a smooth, lump-free slurry.
Slowly and steadily pour the flour slurry into the simmering nihari, whisking constantly with your other hand to prevent any lumps from forming.
Increase the heat slightly to a medium-low and let the gravy cook for another 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it has thickened and the raw taste of the flour is completely gone.
5
Garnish and Serve
Turn off the heat. Ladle the hot Mutton Nihari into serving bowls.
Drizzle the reserved red oil (rogan) over each serving.
Garnish generously with ginger juliennes, slit green chilies, fresh coriander leaves, and the reserved fried onions.
Serve immediately with lemon wedges on the side, to be squeezed over just before eating. It pairs best with hot naan, khameeri roti, or sheermal.
318cal
8gprotein
51gcarbs
9gfat
Ingredients
2 cup Maida
0.75 cup Warm Milk (Approx. 180ml)
2 tbsp Ghee (For the dough)
1 tsp Sugar
0.75 tsp Salt (For the dough)
0.25 cup Water (For salt water wash)
Instructions
1
Prepare the Dough (10 minutes + 30 minutes resting)
In a large mixing bowl, combine 2 cups of maida, 0.75 tsp salt, and sugar.
Add 2 tbsp of ghee and rub it into the flour with your fingertips until the mixture resembles coarse breadcrumbs. This process is called 'moyan'.
Gradually add the warm milk and knead for 8-10 minutes to form a very soft, smooth, and pliable dough. It should be softer than regular chapati dough.
Cover the dough with a damp cloth and let it rest for at least 30 minutes. This helps the gluten to relax, making the parathas softer.
2
Prepare the Tawa and Salt Water (5 minutes)
Place a heavy-bottomed kadhai or a convex tawa upside down on your stove over medium-high heat. Let it get very hot; you should see faint smoke rising from it.
While the tawa heats, mix 0.5 tsp of salt in 0.25 cup of water in a small bowl. Stir until the salt dissolves completely. This salt water will act as an adhesive.
3
Roll the Parathas (5 minutes)
After the dough has rested, knead it again for one minute.
Divide the dough into 8 equal-sized balls.
Take one ball, dust it lightly with dry maida, and roll it into a thin circle, about 6-7 inches in diameter. Keep the rolled parathas covered to prevent them from drying out.
4
Cook the Paratha (2-3 minutes per paratha)
Take one rolled paratha. Dip your fingers in the salt water and apply a thin, even layer over one entire surface.
Carefully lift the paratha and place the water-coated side down onto the hot inverted tawa. Gently press the edges to ensure it sticks well.
Cook for about 1-2 minutes. You will see bubbles forming on the surface as it cooks.
Using a kitchen towel or oven mitts, carefully lift the tawa by its handle, flip it over, and hold it directly over the open flame, about 4-5 inches away.
Cook the top side by moving the tawa in a circular motion to ensure even cooking. This should take 30-60 seconds, until golden-brown spots appear all over.
Flip the tawa back to its original position on the stove.
5
Finish and Serve
Using a pair of tongs, carefully peel the cooked paratha off the tawa. It should come off easily.
Place the hot paratha on a plate and generously brush it with melted ghee.
Repeat the process for the remaining dough balls. Stack the cooked parathas in a casserole or wrap them in a cloth to keep them soft and warm.
Serve immediately with your favorite rich curry or kebabs.
