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Keralan Lamb Curry

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Mutton Mappas

Mutton mappas is so good made with mutton or lamb. Give this Keralan lamb curry a try!

 

The first meal I ever ordered in Kerala was Mutton Mappas or Keralan lamb curry. It was our first night stay near Munnar.

We sat outside enjoying the scenery and asked for the restaurants specialty dishes. Mutton Mappas was one of them and we could see why!

This is so delicious but a bit difficult to eat as the mutton or lamb is cut into small pieces and cooked on the bone until melt in the mouth tender.

You need to really get in there with your hand and savour every last bite.

Although it looks like a lot of meat, there really isn’t much as most of the weight is in the bones.

Good Asian butchers will be able to supply you with the exact cuts of lamb or mutton you need as curry cuts on the bone are asked for often. However, if eating meat in a curry on the bone isn’t your thing, just ask them to cube it for you.

I recommend giving mutton on the bone a go though.

What makes this Keralan lamb curry a ‘mappas’?

Mappas curries are all about the coriander powder. There’s a lot of it in this recipe. It is the citrusy flavour of the ground coriander that really make this curry.

The sauce is spectacular, spooned over rice and I rarely eat much of the meat as this one is all about the tasty sauce the bone-in mutton produces. You could also make this recipe with chicken.

Working ahead.

As with all Indian food, tasting as you go is a great idea. Get those flavours right and you are in for a treat. You can do all of the cooking a day or two ahead of time except for adding the coconut milk.

That is best added when you heat the curry up to serve. 

 

Making Mutton Mappas

Infuse the curry leaves with the oil and then add the chopped onions and chillies and fry until light brown.

Making mutton mappas

Add the garlic and ginger.

Making mutton mappas

Add those ground spices! Lots of ground coriander in there!

Making mutton mappas

Brown the meat for a few minutes.

Making mutton mappas

Cover with water for long, slow simmer and then add the coconut milk and some fresh curry leaves to for additional flavour if you like.

Looking for other delicious lamb curry recipes? Here are some of my other favourites;

Lamb Rista Curry
7 Ingredient Lamb Curry
Railway Lamb Curry
Lamb Keema Shimla Mirch
Lamb Coconut Curry

Yield: 6

Mutton Mappas

Mutton Mappas
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 10 minutes

Ingredients

  • 3 tbsp rapeseed (canola) oil
  • 30 curry leaves – fresh or frozen
  • 2 red onions – finely chopped
  • 2 green chillies – finely chopped
  • 1 x 5cm (2 inch) ginger – finely chopped
  • 10 cloves garlic – finely chopped
  • 2 tomatoes – diced
  • 1 - 2 tbsp Kashmiri chillie powder
  • 5 tbsp coriander powder
  • 1 tsp turmeric powder
  • 1 tsp black pepper
  • 1.5k cheap lamb cuts on the bone cut small
  • 600ml (2 cups) light coconut milk
  • Salt to taste

Instructions

  1. Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium high heat. When hot, add about 20 curry leaves and infuse them in the oil for about 30 seconds. Then add the chopped onion and fry over medium heat for about 8 minutes or until turning light brown in colour. Now stir in the green chillies, ginger and garlic and give it another good stir. Then add the diced tomatoes and the ground spices.
  2. Add just enough water to cover and let the meat simmer for 90 minutes or longer. The meat is ready when it's ready so don't rush this. It needs to be super tender which takes longer with mutton than it does lamb.
  3. To finish, stir in the light coconut milk. Season with salt to taste. This curry is a lot like a good stew. The flavours are amazing. It can be served over rice or just eaten as is.

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I hope you enjoy this Keralan lamb curry! If you do give it a try, please don’t be a stranger. Leave a comment. I’d love to hear from you.

Soni

Saturday 7th of March 2020

Hallo, did you mean 1.5 kg or 1.5 lb of mutton? Hoping its lb since thats what I have and I really want to try out this recipe. :)

Dan Toombs

Friday 13th of March 2020

Hi Soni

You can use lamb or mutton. Most people prefer lamb but I like doing it with mutton. 1.5kg or 3lbs roughly.

Thanks, Dan

Bob Arnott

Thursday 14th of March 2019

Hi Dan, Just looking at your recipe for Mutton Mappas and unless I'm going blind or daft (or both!) I can't see listed the amount of meat used! Could please you clarify. Many thanks, Bob

Dan Toombs

Saturday 16th of March 2019

Hi Rob

That is an important ingredient! Thanks for noticing! all fixed now. :-)

Dan

Reg

Thursday 14th of March 2019

You don't mention a quantity or weight for the mutton!

Dan Toombs

Saturday 16th of March 2019

Hi Reg

Thanks for noticing! All fixed now.

Dan

John Williams

Thursday 14th of March 2019

Didn't find find the amount lamb required for your mutton mappas recipe. Sounds delicious though

Dan Toombs

Saturday 16th of March 2019

Hi John

Thanks for noticing! All fixed now!

Thanks, Dan

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