Mandi – Arabian Mutton Mandi
A fragrant Arabian rice dish made with tender mutton, aromatic spices, and smoky flavors, cooked together for a rich and comforting meal.
Ingredients
For Mutton:
- 1 kg mutton (medium pieces)
- 2 tbsp ginger-garlic paste
- 1 tsp turmeric
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp mandi masala
- juice of 1/2 lemon
Whole Spices:
- 2 bay leaves
- 4 green cardamoms
- 4 cloves
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1 tsp cumin seeds
For Rice:
- 3 cups basmati rice soaked 30 minutes
- 1 large onion sliced
- 2 tomatoes chopped
- 1 green chilli (optional)
- 4 1/2 cups mutton stock
- 2 tbsp ghee
Garnish:
- Fried onions
- Fried cashews and raisins
- Fresh coriander
Instructions
Marinate mutton:
- Mix mutton with ginger-garlic paste, turmeric, salt, pepper, mandi masala, and lemon juice.
- Rest for 30–60 minutes.
Cook mutton:
- Heat ghee in a pressure cooker.
- Add whole spices and sauté. Add marinated mutton and cook for 5–7 minutes.
- Add 1 cup water and pressure cook for 4–5 whistles until tender.
- Separate the mutton and strain the stock.
Prepare rice:
- Heat ghee in a large pot.
- Fry sliced onions until golden.
- Add tomatoes and cook until soft.
- Add soaked rice and mix gently.
Cook rice:
- Pour in measured mutton stock and cook covered on low flame until rice is fluffy.
Layer and steam:
- Place cooked mutton over the rice.
- Cover tightly and cook on very low heat for 10–15 minutes.
Add smoky flavour (optional):
- Place a hot charcoal piece in a small bowl inside the pot.
- Pour a little ghee over it and cover immediately for 5 minutes to infuse a smoky aroma.
Serve:
- Garnish with fried onions, cashews, raisins, and fresh coriander.
- Serve hot with chutney, raita, or salad.
Notes
Pro Tips:
✔ Use mutton stock instead of water for deeper flavour.
✔ Do not overcook rice; keep grains separate.
✔ Dum cooking enhances aroma and taste.
✔ Charcoal smoke gives authentic mandi flavour.
✔ Serve immediately for best texture and aroma.
✔ Do not overcook rice; keep grains separate.
✔ Dum cooking enhances aroma and taste.
✔ Charcoal smoke gives authentic mandi flavour.
✔ Serve immediately for best texture and aroma.
