Home-made mutton kuzhimanthi

Kuzhimanthi which has gained massive popularity in Kerala, has its origins in Yemen. The Arab people like to enjoy the sumptuous manthi on special occasions and festivals. The most unique feature of this tasty dish is that it is cooked in a pit. However, you could prepare manthi at home, even if you don’t have a pit. Check out the recipe.

Ingredients
For the masala
1 tbsp coriander seeds
½ nutmeg
6 cardamom pods
2 tsp peppercorns
1 small piece of cinnamon
1 tsp fennel seeds
½ tsp cumin seeds
4 cloves
½ star anise
1 bay leaf
3 dried chillies
1 dried lemon
For the rice
1 kg mutton
2 cups basmati rice
1 tbsp ginger-garlic paste
1 tsp turmeric powder
Salt as required
3 tbsp ghee
2 big onions
5 green chillies
1 big tomato
1 tbsp coriander leaves
1 tbsp mint leaves
6 green chillies

Preparation
Cut the mutton into big chunks
Wash the mutton pieces and strain them
Marinate the mutton with ¾ tsp turmeric powder, ginger-garlic paste and salt as required
Set them aside for at least two hours
Meanwhile, dry roast all the spices and grind them into fine masala powder
You could also marinate the mutton overnight
Heat ghee in a thick bottomed vessel
Sauté onion
Add coriander leaves, mint leaves, green chillies, ¼ tsp turmeric powder and tomato
Sauté well until the tomato turns nice and mushy
Now add the marinated mutton
Mix well
Pour 4 cups hot water
Close the lid and cook for an hour; do not forget to stir at intervals
After the mutton pieces are cooked and tender, scoop them out
Strain the gravy through a strainer
Wash the basmati rice and soak for at least half an hour
4 cups water is required to cook 2 cups basmati rice
Add water in the gravy and make it 4 cups
In a vessel, boil the water and mutton gravy
Add 3-4 big green chillies
Add salt as required
Add the soaked rice when the water boils rapidly
Close the lid
Cook for 10-12 minutes on low flame
Heat 1 tsp ghee in a pan
Roast the mutton pieces on both sides
Place these mutton pieces over the rice
Burn a small piece of charcoal
Drizzle some oil on the burning charcoal
Place this in the manthi vessel
Close the lid and keep aside
There is no need to turn on the flame at this stage
Wait for 15 minutes before serving delicious mutton manthi
Enjoy the mouth watering mutton manthi with coriander chutney and creamy mayonnaise.