Mutton Nihari

Heat ghee in a deep pan, add mutton pieces and saut on high heat till well browned. Add nihari masala and continue to saut for two minutes.

Add half the fried onions and mix. Add two cups of water and salt and bring it to a boil. Cover and cook till the mutton is completely cooked.

Mix whole wheat flour in half a cup of water well so that there are no lumps. Add the remaining fried onions to the mutton mixture. Add the wheat flour mixture and mix well.

Cook till the gravy thickens. Add ginger strips and cook till the mutton begins to leave the bones. Serve hot.

HOMEMADE NIHARI MASALA: To make Nihari Masala, dry roast four tablespoons cumin seeds, four tablespoons fennel seeds, twelve to fifteen dry red chillies, two tablespoons cloves, five green cardamoms, three black cardamoms, twenty five to thirty black peppercorns, four to five tablespoons poppy seeds, two bay leaves, one blade mace, two tablespoons dry ginger powder, half tablespoon nutmeg powder and four to five one-inch cinnamon sticks till fragrant.

Add four to five tablespoons roasted chana dal powder. Remove from heat and set aside to cool. Grind to a fine powder. Sieve the mixture and store in the refrigerator in an airtight jar.