Spicy Kolhapuri Mutton Chops

"Kolhapur" The city known for its rich culture, one of the oldest civilization of the country, few of the best known commodities to be named are : Kolhapuri Pheta, Kolhapuri Saaz and Kolhapuri Chappal ( who can forget this one, the well known chappals globally :) ) Its equally known for its film industry, media & communication and sports...the list goes on...well well well the most important part of the city and the purpose of my blog is its rich "Cuisine". Its said that it forms the soul of Kolhapur, the city and its people are so much associated with the peculiar Kolhapuri style of cooking...the intricate part of its specialty food is the spicy lavangi mirchi and also the assal "Kolhapuri masala" I will try my best to share the rich kolhapuri cuisines in days to come :)

Every Culture has a special food and cuisine attached to it. In case of Kolhapur its the Non-Veg that makes a mark as a special cuisine. Kolhapur has some good traditional dishes prepared from "Mutton" (goat meat) which are very tasty and delightful. So lets get started with one such delicacy; Spicy Kolhapuri mutton chops

The Recipe

Preparation time : 45 to 60 mins

Ingredients :-

1. 500 grams of mutton chops 
2. Red chilli powder 2 to 3 tsps ( depends on spiciness required, quantity can be reduced or increased)
3. Haldi 1/2 tsp
4. Garlic about 6 to 10 cloves
5. Ginger half medium sized piece
6. Grated coconut half a cup ( most important ingredient )
7. Two to three large onions
8. One medium sized tomato
9. Garam masala powder 1 to 2 tsp
10. Oil as required
11. Chopped coriander handfull

Procedure:

1. Wash mutton chops properly.
2. Now to the pieces of meat add add 1 tbsp oil, 1 tsp red chilli powder, and 1/2 tsp haldi, mix it well and keep it aside for about 15 to 20 mins. to marinate, simultaneously prepare the masala.

Preparation of masala :

     1. Heat pan, add some oil ( the quantity should be good enough for the onions to shallow fry )
     2. Add onions to the heated oil, make sure the onions turn out dark brown in colour ( cut two large
         onions in longer slender form ), keep them aside for cooling
     3. Dry roast freshly grated coconut in separate pan, you can also use dry coconut grated, or else mix    
         match both of them, keep it aside for cooling
     4. Grind together fried onions + garlic + ginger + fried grated coconut, the masala is ready

          Now, add some salt ( to taste ) to marinated chops. In pan add oil ( the quantity should be good enough for the chops to shallow fry, the remaining onion flavored oil could be reused (it helps in giving additional flavor), shallow fry the chops and keep it aside

Seasoning:

     1. Finely chop one large onion and one tomato
     2. Heat pan, add sufficient oil
     3. Add chopped onions to heated oil, saute them, add a bit turmeric powder and salt to onions so that it
         fries faster. Add prepared masala to it, saute them together in oil
     4. Add chopped tomatoes saute them together with masala, then add fried chops to it
     5. Add about 1 tsp of red chili powder and some salt if required, then add some water. Simmer chops for
         about 30 mins or until they tender cook, the cooking time may increase or reduce accordingly
     6. After the meat is cooked, add some garam masala and chopped coriander above it
The dish is ready to be served, and tastes best served with bhakri ( jawar roti ) or hot chapatis