Explore food of the Marathas with this Kolhapuri red mutton curry recipe

Mumbai: Let us today take you on a journey where we will be exploring the Great Maratha Warrior food. History says that Marathas were not just extremely efficient warriors but also had a fascination for food and loved to experiment with it.

If you are among those who love to explore and try out different cuisines, then no doubt Marathi cuisine is a must try as well. To experience traditional taste, one must feast on regal Maratha delicacies like Bhari khari vangi, Suke chicken, Mutton Ukad, Bombil chutney, Basundi and Tamda rass. 

“The Food that we eat is very spicy, not everyone can eat and digest that much spices, but trust me once you try it, you would want to try more, that’s the specialty of our cuisine,” says Sanjay Khandare, owner of Being Marathi YouTube Channel at The Great Maratha Warrior Food Festival. The festival took place at Sofitel BKC, Mumbai.

In traditional Marathi families, the food plays a very significant role and they have  a peculiar way of cooking. These recipes have been passed on from generation to generation and it’s time to undercover the food legacy of the Marathas.

“Often people think that Marathi food is Malvani food, but that’s a stereotype. People of Kokan eat that particular style. Like any other region, the making style differs from one region to another. Like the farmers of Maharashtra eat spicier and raw food, however, the coastal side of Maharashtra uses a lot of coconut and species,” says Sanjay Khandare at The Great Maratha Warrior Food Festival held at Sofitel BKC, Mumbai.

There is a bit of history that one needs to understand in order to extrapolate their food culture. The warriors during the Maratha dynasty were the one who were farmers as well. And what their food culture became the food culture of all Marathis. 

Maratha Mawal (Marathi Warrior) while on war use to carry lots of spices and dry meat. On their way, they used to pluck random vegetables from farms or at times hunt animals and use to make stew. To make this they used basic ingredients like pepper, onion, homemade species, chillies and garlic.

“Maratha food has never been about royalty and luxury. Our food is more attached to the natural resources and common people,” says Sanjay Khandare.

To get you a real feel of their cooking style and to entice your taste buds we bring you a popular Maratha recipe Kolhapuri red mutton curry (Tamda Mutton Rassa).

Recipe: Tamda Mutton Rassa

Ingredients:  

• 200 gms Lamb
• 2 tbsp Special Home Made Masala (Ghati Masala)
• 3 tbsp Oil
• ½ tbsp Cinnamon
• 2- 3 Bay Leaves
• 2- 3 Cloves
• 5gms Garlic chopped
• 5gms Ginger garlic paste
• 1gms Turmeric powder               
• 2 Onions (finely chopped)
• 1 cup fresh coconut milk
• ½  tbsp Garam masala powder       
• ½  tbsp Red chili powder   
• 5 gms Fresh coriander chopped
• 2 gms Salt

Method:

• Heat one tablespoon oil in a non-stick pan.
• Add cinnamon, cloves, bay leaves and sauté well.
• Add garlic and onions and sauté till they turn translucent.
• Add the lamb in the pan and cook it with turmeric powder, ginger garlic paste and special homemade masala.
• Add garam masala powder, red chilli powder and mix well it all together.
• Bring the mutton to a boil adding sufficient water.
• Add fresh coconut milk and cook the lamb till it becomes tender.
• Granish it with chopped coriander and check for seasoning
• Transfer into a serving bowl and serve hot with bhakri, onion and green chillies.

Tip: It can also be served with rice or butter naan/roti.

This recipe is shared by Chef Vividh Patil, Sous Chef, Sofitel Mumbai BKC.