Introduction: Mutton Chukka, Cooked in an Earthen Pot

Our Grandmother used to cook meat and other food in earthen pot, which tasted very delicious. Here I made Mutton Chukka (Dry Curry) in an earthen pot which I bought from the local weekly market.

Step 1: Utensils

  • An earthen pot
  • Wooden spoon / ladle
  • Mortar and pestle set

Step 2: Season the Earthen Pot

If your earthen pot is new, then you have to season it before using it for cooking.

  • Immerse the new pot in water for a few hours
  • Then clean the pot, fill water and boil it till the earthen smell disappears from the pot.

Step 3: Mutton

For this recipe I have used about 500 grams of mutton, cut to pieces. Wash and clean the mutton pieces and keep aside.

Step 4: Ingredients

  • One tomato, finely chopped
  • One large size onion, finely chopped
  • Ginger Garlic paste. Here, I have used the Mortar and pestle set to make the ginger garlic paste.
  • Handful of finely chopped Coriander leaves and mint leaves
  • One to two teaspoon of Red chili powder. Please adjust it to your own taste.
  • One teaspoon of Cumin seed powder
  • One teaspoon of Garam Masala powder
  • Half a teaspoon of Turmeric powder
  • A tablespoon of cooking oil
  • Salt to taste

Other Spices in small quantities

  • Green Cardamom
  • White poppy seeds
  • Kalpasi (Armotrema Perlatum, commonly known as black stone flower)
  • Star Anise
  • Cinnamon sticks
  • Cloves
  • Fennel Seeds

Step 5: Preparation Step 1

  • Heat the earthen pot on a stove
  • When the earthen pot is properly heated without moisture, add a tablespoon of cooking oil
  • When the oil is heated, add the spices like Green cardamom, white poppy seeds, Kalpasi, Star anise, Cinnamon sticks, gloves and fennel seeds to the hot oil
  • Lightly fry the spices using the wooden ladle.

Step 6: Preparation Step 2

  • Add the finely chopped mint and coriander leaves and stir
  • Add the Ginger garlic paste
  • Add chopped onions
  • Cook them all in oil till raw small disappears

Step 7: Preparation Step 3

  • Now add all spice powders and chopped tomatoes and cook for a few minutes
  • Add salt to taste

Step 8: Preparation Step 4

  • When all the ingredients are well cooked in oil, add the Mutton pieces
  • Mix all ingredients together.
  • Add one cup of water to the pot and mix well
  • Cover the pot and keep it on fire
  • Stir the contents from time to time to prevent the dish from sticking to the pot.

Step 9:

  • When the gravy starts to thicken, check to see whether the meat is properly cooked.
  • If you find it a bit hard, then add some more water and cook till meat becomes tender
  • Once the meat is properly cooked and the gravy thickens, remove from heat.
  • Transfer the Mutton Chukka to a serving dish.

Hope you all will enjoy the Mutton Chukka cooked in a earthen pot