Salli Gosht - Parsi (Zoroastrian) Mutton Dish

Ingredients:

            Mutton – 750 gms

            Salt – To Taste

            Dried Apricot (Jardalu) – 6 to 8

            Onions – 2 medium sized

            Ginger – 2 one inch pieces

            Garlic – 6 to 8 cloves

            Red Chillies (Whole) – 5

            Cumin Seeds – 2 tsp

            Tomato – 1 (medium sized)

            Potatoes – 2 (Small)

            Oil - As required

            Red Chilli Powder – 2 tsp

            Turmeric Powder – 1 tsp

            Vinegar – 2 tbsp

            Coriander leaves

Method:

                 Clean, wash and cut mutton into one and half inch sized pieces

                 Rub salt into the mutton pieces and keep aside

                 Soak dried apricots in 1 cup of hot water for 15 minutes

                 Peel, wash and chop onions

                 Peel and wash the ginger and garlic, and grind it with red chillies and cumin seeds to a fine paste, adding a little water.

                 Wash and finely chop the tomato

                 Peel, wash and thinly slice and cut the potatoes into match – stick sized pieces

                 Soak cut potatoes in water for 10 minutes, drain and pat dry

                 Heat sufficient oil in a kadhai (non – stick deep pan) and deep – fry potato matchsticks in hot oil till crisp and golden brown. Drain and remove onto absorbent kitchen towel or paper

                 Heat 2 tablespoons for oil in a pan and sauté chopped onions until light golden brown.

                 Add ginger, garlic, red chillies, cumin seed paste, red chilli powder and turmeric powder and stir – fry briefly

                 Add mutton pieces and sauté for 2 to 3 minutes

                 Stir in 2 cups of water and soaked apricots along with the water they were soaked in and bring to boil.

                 Reduce heat, cover & simmer for 15 – 20 minutes or until mutton is completely cooked

                 Add chopped tomatoes and cook on high heat for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring continuously

                 Add salt and stir in the vinegar

                 Transfer the mutton to a serving dish, garnish liberally with the fried potato pieces and coriander leaves & serve hot.