Gosht Korma ( Andhra Style)

Ingredients:
Mutton- 750 gms,
Cloves-4,
Big caradamom-2,
Cinnamon stick-1 or 2,
Bay leaf-1,
Onion- 4-  finely sliced,
Tomato -1 large-chopped,
Green chilli- 2 to 3 slit ( more if you like ),
Oil-3 tbsp,
Ghee-1 tbsp,

Garam masala-  1/4 to 3/4 tsp.

Ingredients for marination-
Red chilli pwd - 1 tsp,
Coriander pwd- 1 tbsp,
Cumin pwd- 1 tsp,
Turmeric pwd- 1/2 tsp,
Thick curd- 1 and 1/2 cup.

Ingredients for paste:
Poppy seeds- 1 tbsp - roasted and soaked for 10 minutes,
Grated fresh coconut- 2 to 3 tbsp,
Cashew nuts- 6 to 10- soaked in water. 

Method:

Add beaten curd,red chilli pwd,turmeric pwd,coriander pwd,half of ginger garlic paste to the mutton.

Mix thoroughly and keep aside to marinate for 30 to 40 minutes ( room temperature)

Dry roast the poppy seeds and then soak in warm water for 10 minutes.

Soak the cashew nuts in warm water for 10 minutes.
Grate fresh coconut and discard the brown top and then grate.
Make a paste of fresh coconut, cashew nuts and poppy seeds and keep aside.

Heat a non stick pot and add 2 tbsp of oil and 1 tbsp of ghee.
As oil heats up add the whole spices- bay leaves,cinnamon,cardamom,cloves and fry for few seconds.

Add the chopped onions and fry till translucent.

Add green chillies and the remaining ginger garlic paste.

Saute for 2 or 3 minutes.
Add the chopped tomatoes and cover for 4 or 5 minutes to soften them.

 Lower the heat and keep stirring in between.

Once the tomatoes are soft add the marinated mutton.

Keep the heat to low medium and put a lid on.
It will take 1/2 hour for the curd and water of onion and meat to be absorbed.

Keep stirring in between so that the sauce does not stick at the bottom.
You will get a thick sauce and the mutton will be half  to 3/4 cooked.

Raise the heat for few minutes and stir.
Add the poppy seeds,coconut paste and salt.

Cover and cook for 4 to 5 minutes in low to medium heat..

Add 2 cups of warm water and raise the heat.

Stir.
Once the gravy  comes to a boiling point,lower the heat and cover.

Let the mutton cook till tender ( it will take 15 minutes ).

Once the mutton is tender,sprinkle garam masala.

Let it simmer for 5 minutes and then close gas.
Leave the mutton in the pot for 15 minutes covered.

Enjoy this Andhra Gosht korma with rice pulav and cucumber raita.