Goat Meat Curry
Meat 4 comments

Meat Curry

Finally, the holidays are over and our Boston traffic is back to normal. It was taking 15 minutes for us to get to work, but now it’s taking 30 minutes again. At the office everyone is back to work and there are no more cookies or candies everywhere. Like me, most people gained a couple of pounds during the holidays, so we are all back to diet and exercise. This week was bone chilling cold for the east coast. We are all bundled up in our coats, scarfs and gloves while outside and woolen socks, flannel PJ’s and sweatshirts while at home. Whenever it’s cold and white outside, my body craves for two things: Mexican hot chocolate and spicy meat curry. Although it never snows in Kolkata, whenever there was a chill in the air my mum always said,”It’s so cold today, let’s eat meat curry to warm up”.

spices

Meat curry has a big importance in any Bengali’s life. We eat fish and rice six days of the week. But on Sunday, dad used to go to the local market and get goat meat for us. Then mom used to cook that goat curry in a low flame for a long time. For kids, Sunday morning used to be the Television morning. Unlike now, we did not have access to TV every day. Dad used to give us special permission on Sunday to watch a few kid’s TV shows like Mahabharata (an epic) and Aladdin.

Goat Meat Curry

Goat Meat Curry

After two hours into the TV program, mom used to shout at everyone to get in the shower. By one PM, we all used to sit in our table and start eating. Meat curry is always served with plain rice. It was not only a meal but also a family bonding time. We would chit chat about what happened over the past week. Even after we were done eating we would continue the gossip for an hour or more. After the delicious lunch everyone was ready for a nap. Sunday nap was mandatory for all kids and males of the households. Some women preferred to sleep.  Others, like my mom who has trouble sleeping, would use this time to sew or fold clothing. During the winter months, women will go the roof top and dry their hair, bask in sun and gossip with their fellow neighbors from another rooftop. Life was a lot different back then. We did not have Facebook or Netflix to entertain ourselves. We did not need to send a text to the neighbor to ask for something,   We would just shout out our question and he/she would respond likewise.

Goat Meat Curry

 

As I mentioned, meat curry has a huge role in our diet and life. Sunday meat curry used to be very plain with turmeric. But meat curry was not only a Sunday affair. If a guest was coming, or it was someone’s birthday or anniversary meat curry would always be there on our menu. If someone does not cook meat for guests, it implied that he/she is not doing well financially. Some guests would notify us in advance if they did not like meat. Mum would cook chicken curry just for that particular guest. For Indians guests are God, so treating them well is very important to us.

Recipe for Meat Curry

Marination

1. In a food processor, combine onion, ginger and garlic. Work the mixture until it is a paste. Transfer to a bowl.

2. In the same bowl, add the meat pieces, yogurt and all other marination spices. Mix it well and cover it with a cling wrap. Put it aside for 30 minutes.

Cooking

 

  1. . In a heavy bottomed pot, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add red chile, bay-leaf and all whole spices. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes until they splutter.
  2. Add onion pieces and continue to cook over medium-high heat for 4 to 5 minutes until they are lightly brown on the edges.
  3. Add meat pieces with the marination liquid and stir well. Cover and cook over medium-low heat for 45 to 50 minutes, stirring in between. If the meat curry gets too dry add 1/2 cup warm water.
  4. In a non-stick pan heat oil over medium-high heat. Add potato pieces and garam-masala. Cover and cook for 4 to 5 minutes. When they are golden, take it aside and add to the curry. Uncover and continue to cook for 4 to 5 minutes. Serve hot with rice.

4 Comments

  1. Sounds delicious and looks so yummy and tempting.

  2. Lovely photos and the food looks delicious. I love the accompanying
    vignettes. It’s a little snapshot into life as you grew up. Wonderful !
    I am enjoying it immensely.

  3. Yum Yum.

    Th photos are gorgeous and the meat curry looks DE-licious!

  4. Dolphia Nandi Arnstein

    thank you

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