Pacha vacha Irachi Curry - Malabar Mutton Stew.

I am sharing a delicious stew which is common in my hometown Kannur, Pacha vacha irachi curry or Malabar Mutton Stew..Its preparation is simple to make with less ingredients..This curry is not very spicy, I am sure the kids as well as adults will definitely loved it..Its definitely my mom's recipe..It goes well with any combination of your choice like ghee rice, chappathi, poori, appam etc..My favourite combination is with Madaki parathiya Chappati ( Folded chappathi layered with ghee/oil).Let's go to the recipe :)

Recipe courtesy: Umma

      Ingredients

• Mutton - 1/2 to 1 kg
• Potato - l large cut into large pieces ( optional)
• Onions - 2 no.s sliced
• Tomato - 1 large sliced
• Ginger-garlic paste - 2 tsp
• Green chillies - 2 no.s sliced
• Turmeric pdr - 1/4 tsp
• Black pepper pdr - 1/4 tsp ( optional )
• Coriander pdr - 1/4 tsp
• Garam masala pdr - a pinch ( for sprinkling)
• Coriander leaves  - a few for garnishing
• Lemon juice - 1/2 to 1 tsp ( accordingly)** ( Refer Notes)

      To grind

• Garlic - 2 cloves
• Yogurt - 2 to 3 tbsp ** ( Refer Notes)
• Coconut shredded - 1 heaped handful

      Method

• Wash the mutton thoroughly and drain..Keep aside..

• In a pressure cooker, add little oil and saute sliced onions sprinkled with salt till translucent..

• Add ginger-garlic paste and green chillies and saute till raw smell disappears..

• Add sliced tomato and saute till mushy.

• Then add all the spice powders mentioned except garam masala pdr and saute till raw smell disappears.

• Add cleaned mutton and saute well...Add one cup of water into it..

• Close the lid of pressure cooker and cook in a medium flame for 4 whistles..Off the flame..

• Add cubed potatoes ( if using) and cook another 3 whistles...If you are not using potatoes, cook for 6 to 7 whistles..

• Allow the whistle to release itself..Meanwhile grind the ingredients mentioned below..

• In a mixi or blender, add grated coconut, garlic and yogurt by adding little water and blend well.

• When the pressure releases, open the lid and switch on the flame.Add blended coconut mixture and lemon juice into it..Taste and add salt..cook in a low flame till bubble appears..

• If the curry appears watery, add l tsp of rice powder or corn flour into it and mix well..

• Switch off the flame..Sprinkle Garam masala powder and garnish with chopped coriander leaves..

• Serve it with any combination of your choice like chappathi, poori, Appam etc..

       Notes:

• You can use chicken or beef instead of mutton..

• Vegetarians can prepare it by using any vegetables of your choice.

• Please do not use too much spice powder other than the mentioned quantity..The colour of the stew should be whitish with a tint of yellow or light brown colour...

• Yogurt and lemon juice can be adjusted according to your sour level..This stew should not have too much sourness.If your using sour yogurt, add lemon juice accordingly...My yogurt is not sour, so I use around l tsp of lemon juice..

• If using potato, make sure to cut into equal large cubes..Do not cut into small pieces, as when you are using pressure cooker, it cook very fast and tends to break and dissolve in curry...