Aloo Gosht (Mutton/Lamb and Potato Curry)

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup neutral oil (such as grapeseed or avocado oil)
• 1 tbsp ghee (sub butter)
• 1-1.2 lb bone-in goat or lamb meat (mixed pieces - See Note 1)
• 1 3/4 tsp kosher salt (use less if using regular/table salt) (divided)
• 6-7 garlic cloves (crushed or finely chopped)
• 1- inch ginger (crushed or finely chopped)
• 1 medium yellow onion (finely chopped (See Note 2))
• 2 small tomatoes (I use Roma) (roughly puréed in a food processor or finely chopped)
• 1-2 small green chili peppers such as Thai chili or 1 Serrano (chopped or sliced)
• 2 green cardamom pods
• 3 whole cloves
• 1/2 tsp cumin seeds
• 1.5-2 tsp coriander powder (use more if you like punchy flavor, less for mild)
• 1/2-1 tsp cumin powder (use more if you like punchy flavor, less for mild)
• 1/2 tsp red chili powder (or to taste, sub Kashmiri chili powder for less heat)
• 1/2 tsp turmeric powder
• 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
• 1 tbsp plain whole-milk yogurt
• 2 small russet potatoes (peeled and cut into 1.5-2” cubes)
• 1/2 tsp garam masala
• 2 tbsp cilantro leaves (chopped)

Instructions

1. 1

   --- Stovetop Method ---

2. 2

   Sauté goat meat.: Heat a medium Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Add oil and ghee. Once hot, add goat or lamb meat and 3/4 tsp salt. Sauté for 6-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it has changed color and seared on some edges.

3. 3

   Sauté in garlic and ginger followed by onion, tomatoes, green chili pepper, whole spices, ground spices and salt.: Add the garlic and ginger and sauté for another minute, until no longer raw. Add the onion, tomatoes, green chili pepper, whole spices, ground spices (except garam masala), and the remaining 1 tsp salt.

4. 4

   Add water and bring to a boil.: Add 1 to 1 1/4 cups water (the less the better because this will be sautéed out) so that the water covers at least 1/3 of the meat. Bring this mixture to a boil.

5. 5

   Simmer and cook covered.: Once it comes to a boil, reduce the heat to a gentle simmer (low or low-medium). Cover and cook for 1 hour & 30 minutes (See Note 3), until the meat is fully cooked but not fall-off-the-bone tender. The meat should break when pressed with a wooden spoon. If not, cover and allow to cook for another 15-30 minutes, topping with water if needed.

6. 6

   Cook until oil separates.: Increase the heat to high and stir occasionally to sauté out the remaining water content/moisture (~5-7 minutes). Once the water has evaporated, continue to sauté (bhunai) for another 5-6 minutes. The masala will continue to thicken and reduce, and the oil will separate from the curry.

7. 7

   Add yogurt and potatoes.: Reduce the heat to low and stir in the yogurt. Add the potatoes and 2 – 2 ¼ cups water, depending on how much curry/shorba you’d like. (If doubling, add no more than 4 cups.)

8. 8

   Cook until potatoes tender.: Increase the heat to high to bring to a boil, and then reduce the heat to a simmer (low/medium-low). Cover and cook for another 23-25 minutes, until the meat and potatoes are both fork tender. Taste and adjust salt, if needed.

9. 9

   Simmer and garnish.: Uncover and allow the curry to simmer until the oil rises to the top (~2-3 min). Turn off the heat. Garnish with garam masala and cilantro. Serve with roti, paratha, naan, or basmati rice.

10. 10

    --- Instant Pot Method ---

11. 11

    Select 'Sauté – More/High' on the Instant Pot. Once hot, add the oil, ghee, goat or lamb meat, and 3/4 tsp salt. Sauté for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it has changed color and seared on some edges. Add the garlic and ginger and sauté for a minute, until no longer raw. Add the onion, tomatoes, green chili pepper, whole spices, ground spices (except garam masala), and the remaining 1 tsp salt.

12. 12

    Add up to 1/4 cup water if needed (the less the better because this will be sautéed out). (The moisture should cover at least 1/3 of the meat. If the onions and tomatoes have enough moisture content, you don't need to add any water.)

13. 13

    Cancel Sauté. Select 'Pressure Cook – High' and set timer for 20 minutes (or 22 min if using larger or meaty pieces such as shoulder or leg). Allow the pressure to naturally release for 10 minutes. The meat will be fully cooked but not fall-off-the-bone tender. It should break when pressed with a wooden spoon. If not, pressure cook again for another 3-5 minutes.

14. 14

    Select 'Sauté – More/High'. Once hot, stir occasionally to sauté out the remaining water content/moisture (~5-7 minutes). Once the water has evaporated, continue to sauté (bhunai) for another 5-6 minutes. The masala will continue to thicken and reduce, and the oil will separate from the curry.

15. 15

    Cancel Sauté. Add the yogurt and stir to mix. Add potatoes and 2 cups water (this will be the curry/shorba). 'Pressure Cook - High' for 5-6 minutes, depending on size of potatoes. Allow the pressure to naturally release for 5 minutes. Taste and adjust salt. Garnish with garam masala and cilantro.