The Toddy Shop Style Mutton Fry is prepared with shallots, coconut pieces, coconut oil and a few herbs and spices. It is juicy and delicious as it is slow-cooked to perfection. It is a must-try if you are planning to visit Kerala. If you are a foodie, the toddy shop preparations are something that you mustn't miss.Kerala is known for its Toddy shops (Kallu Shaap in Malayalam). Toddy is essentially a milky white coconut wine, made from the sap of coconut trees. The toddy drink is apparently best paired with traditional spicy non-vegetarian dishes.When I visited Kerala a few years ago, I visited the famous Mullapanthal Toddy Shop and I was amazed at the variety of Kallu Shaap dishes being served there.One such preparation was the Toddy Shop style Mutton fry. I was eager to learn the recipe, so I researched quite a bit and found the perfect recipe. I was a bit apprehensive about recreating the `Toddy shop taste' but I experimented with the recipe quite a few times until I was satisfied with the results.My foodie family at home was thrilled with the final outcome and `approved' of this preparation. So, here I am, sharing my recipe which was absolutely delicious!
For the Toddy Shop Style Mutton Fry, wash and clean mutton. Cut into small/medium pieces. You can include mutton liver also (Cut into medium-sized pieces).
Marinate mutton pieces with turmeric, chilli powder, salt and vinegar for 1 hour. Into a pressure cooker, transfer the marinated mutton pieces, add 1/2 a cup of water and 1/2 tsp coconut oil. Mix well and pressure cook for 4 whistles. If the mutton is tender, only 4 whistles are required.As the mutton leaves water while cooking, there is no need to add more water. Now, the mutton is half-cooked with some water remaining in the cooker. Switch off the stove.
In a deep pan, heat 1 tbsp coconut oil. Add fennel seeds and let it splutter. Add 10 to 15 curry leaves. Add sliced coconut pieces and fry for 2 minutes on low flame. Throw in the sliced chillies and mix well. Next, add crushed ginger and crushed garlic and fry well till the raw smell goes away.Next, add the chopped shallots and onion and stir till it turns translucent. Stir continuously so that the ingredients don’t get burnt at the bottom of the pan.
Now, add the semi-cooked mutton into the seasoning and mix thoroughly. With a ladle, create some space in the centre of the pan and pour the remaining (1 tbsp) of coconut oil.Add coriander powder, pepper powder and garam masala into the centre of the pan and fry well on low flame. (If you want the mutton dish to be more spicy, you can add 1 more tsp of chilli powder.)
Mix all the ingredients well with the mutton and cook on low flame for 45 minutes or until the mutton is tender. There will be no water left in the pan once the mutton is cooked.Add the remaining curry leaves and chopped coriander leaves and blend well. Serve hot with fresh toddy (if you get your hands on one). This delicious mutton preparation goes well with chapati, parathas, Kerala Parotas and steamed rice. This is one good starter for your wine or cocktail too!
Notes
Notes & TipsI have used tender lamb for this preparation. If using goat meat with fat, then the cooking time will increase.In the toddy shops, they don’t use pressure cooker. Instead they cook mutton in large pots for longer periods. To reduce time and cooking gas at home, I have used a pressure cooker to save time. You can always directly prepare in a cooking deep pan and slow cook on low flame for 1 hour or more depending on the cooking time of the mutton. This mutton recipe is shallow fry or roast and not deep fry.The toddy shop recipe is more spicy as more chilli powder and pepper powder is used in their preparations. While cooking for your family, you can reduce or adjust the spice accordingly. For garam masala, you can use store bought one like Shakti or Eastern mutton/meat masala. If you have the time, you can prepare your own home-made garam masala.
Keyword black pepper, cloves, coconut oil, coconut pieces, coriander leaves, curry leaves, fennel seeds, onions, pearl onions, shallots