Awadhi Mutton Stew

Name: Awadhi Mutton Stew
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 1 h 30 min
Total time: 1 h 50 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: awadhi
Ingredients: 500 g mutton (bone-in pieces, medium size); 2 pcs potato (medium, peeled and halved); 2 pcs onion (medium, thinly sliced); 1 inch ginger (crushed); 6 pcs garlic (cloves, crushed); 0.5 cup yogurt (plain, whisked); 2 tbsp ghee; 2 pcs bay leaf; 3 pcs green cardamom (lightly crushed); 4 pcs cloves; 6 pcs black peppercorns; 1 inch cinnamon (stick); 1 tsp coriander powder; 0.5 tsp fennel powder; 1 pinch red chili powder; 1 pinch turmeric powder; 0.5 tsp salt; 3 cup water (hot); 2 tbsp cilantro (chopped)

RATING

4.5/5(72)

TASTE SCORE

8/10

A gentle, aromatic mutton stew from Lucknow with tender meat, soft potatoes, and a lightly spiced broth. Slow cooking gives it deep flavor without heavy heat, making it comforting and elegant at the same time.

PREP

20m

COOK

90m

SERVES

1 KATORI

544 cal

SERVINGS

METHOD · 7 STEPS

prep · ~10 min
Prepare the meat and vegetables.
1.Wash the mutton pieces and drain well.
2.Slice the onion thinly.
3.Crush the ginger and garlic.
4.Peel the potatoes and cut them into halves.
TIPDry the mutton lightly after washing so it sears better in the pan.
saute · ~9 min
Brown the whole spices and onions.
1.Heat ghee in a heavy pot over medium heat.
2.Add bay leaf, green cardamom, cloves, black peppercorns, and cinnamon.
3.Cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
4.Add the sliced onion and cook until light golden, 6 to 8 minutes.
TIPKeep the onion just lightly golden; very dark onions will make the broth taste heavy.
saute · ~11 min
Cook the ginger, garlic, and mutton.
1.Add the crushed ginger and garlic to the pot.
2.Cook for 1 minute until the raw smell fades.
3.Add the mutton and stir well to coat in the ghee and onions.
4.Cook for 8 to 10 minutes until the meat changes color and starts to brown.
mix · ~4 min
Add the yogurt and ground spices.
1.Lower the heat.
2.Add the whisked yogurt and stir continuously so it does not split.
3.Add coriander powder, fennel powder, red chili powder, turmeric powder, and salt.
4.Mix well and cook for 3 to 4 minutes.
TIPLow heat and steady stirring keep the yogurt smooth in the stew.
simmer · ~70 min
Slow-cook the stew.
1.Pour in the hot water and bring the pot to a gentle boil.
2.Add the potatoes and stir once.
3.Cover the pot and cook on low heat for 60 to 70 minutes.
4.Stir once or twice during cooking until the mutton is tender and the broth is lightly rich.
TIPA gentle simmer keeps the meat tender and the broth clear.
garnish
Finish with cilantro.
serve
Serve the stew hot.
Ladle the Awadhi Mutton Stew into katoris and serve hot with sheermal, roomali roti, or plain rice.

PRO TIPS

What to keep in mind.

7 tips from the recipe — small details that make a real difference to the final dish.

1
Use a heavy-bottomed pot so the onions and yogurt cook gently without catching.
2
Keep the onions only light golden; deeper browning will darken the broth and mute the delicate Awadhi flavor.
3
Whisk the yogurt until smooth and bring it close to room temperature before adding to reduce splitting.
4
Add only hot water after the yogurt stage so the simmer starts quickly and the fat does not separate.
5
Check doneness by pressing a mutton piece near the bone; it should yield easily but not fall apart completely.
6
If the potatoes soften too early, lift them out and return them for the last few minutes of simmering.
7
This stew tastes even better after a few hours of rest, when the whole spices and meat settle into the broth.