Mutton Fry – Aattirachi Olathiyathu

Looks like it’s been a long time since I made a chat with my virtual friends……..a long time since I really sat back and scribbled few things here with a relaxed state of mind. I have been too pre-occupied with our relocation and then settling in the new place and just when I was trying to get accustomed to the new kitchen, I tired to squeeze in a huge project like this one, just out of some strange passion and found myself cooking and typing those recipes, leaving me more exhausted and drained for the next two weeks which in a way de-toxed myself from that obsession with this teeny–weeny cyber space of mine! Finally I feel re-charged. And yes, finally we re settled at the new place! As much as I miss our old house where we grew and matured as a couple, that small town where I enjoyed snow-cones in summer, strolling the pavements along with CJJ and that international store with abundance of seafood which sometimes gave me a glance of sardines, we re trying to make sweet memories here, filling the place with more fun and laughter and yes, its finally beginning to smell like a home…that overwhelming smell of fresh paint is gone! :)

Also it‘s been a long time since I have taken up a tag :) Recently, Mathew, who ‘sparks’ as bachelor ambrosia tagged me and here it goes…:)

1. LAST MOVIE YOU SAW IN A THEATER:
27 Dresses. Don’t develop any wrong impression here that CJJ willingly takes me to all chick-flick movies……It was a quid-pro-quo for 10000 B.C but I cheated in the end: D

2. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING?
A boring one to brush up my profession……I might probably re-name the book as ‘Sleep Inducer’ or ‘Your ticket to Day-Dreaming’!!

3. FAVORITE BOARD GAME?
Monopoly. I still get excited thinking of building hotels at the Mayfair (we used to play the London version)

4. FAVORITE MAGAZINE?
No favorites…..though currently I have a subscription for Martha Stewart Living and American Cake Decorating

5. FAVORITE SMELLS?
Smell from my mother’s kitchen, Fresh mint ,CJJ’s after-shave

6. FAVORITE SOUND?
Sound of flowing water on a bed of river rocks ,Sound of waves, Church bells, Whistle from the milk-cooker…..there is something nostalgic about it and I miss it!

7. WORST FEELING IN THE WORLD?
When I feel helpless having no control over the unlucky things happening to my close ones

8. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU THINK OF WHEN YOU WAKE?
Usually I don’t think of anything as CJJ wakes me up in the most beautiful way with a cup of tea! Again do not frame any wrong impression here as that’s the only time he enters the kitchen and does something!

9. FAVORITE FAST FOOD PLACE?
There was a small restaurant near my home from where my father used to get us Porotta, beef curry & Peas Masala during my childhood days….……I don’t know if it was the best I ever tasted but it is close to my heart due to various reasons associated with it…….but they closed that place during my teens. In US of A, it is Panera Bread

10. FUTURE CHILD'S NAME?
It took me two days to finalize a name for this blog…so you can imagine how challenging it can be for naming the child!!!

11. FINISH THIS STATEMENT. "IF I HAD A LOT OF MONEY I'D...?
12. FINISH THIS STATEMENT, "IF I HAD THE TIME I WOULD .....

Since time and money are so related, let me club these two…. Firstly, I would sponsor research expenses for inventing THE medicine for removing cholesterol related issues, so we need not torture the logical and reasoning side of brain to control our frequent food temptations. Secondly, backpack around the world enjoying the local flavors, peeking into the cultural heritage of the place. Sponsor education for more children…….take up a professional course in residential planning and home interiors……...lastly, build a small house in a beautiful small town in Kerala, on the banks of a river, with a huge estate in the back where CJJ can do his rubber /poultry / fish farm business!!!! My dream place and house is something like the one in “Unnikale oru Kadha Parayam” movie!

13. DO YOU DRIVE FAST?
Hmm…well ….it depends on your definition of ‘fast’. :-) 99% I am a decent driver but sometimes these US state highways forces me to accelerate a bit ;-)

14.DO YOU SLEEP WITH A STUFFED ANIMAL?
Yes, I sleep with one ever since I got married : P But pal is trying to loose weight and stuffing is shrinking these days….. :)

15. STORMS-COOL OR SCARY?
All of the above!

16. WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST CAR?
If what they is right, “after marriage , its two bodies, one soul and one bank account”, I shared a Corolla with CJJ but unfortunately we lost our buddy last year after a road accident ……I miss ‘him’ a lot, though I love our new Jetta!

17. FAVORITE DRINK?
Water with a slice of lemon

18. DO YOU EAT THE STEMS ON BROCCOLI?
Nope.

19. IF YOU COULD DYE YOUR HAIR ANY COLOR, WHAT WOULD BE YOUR CHOICE?
Black, considering the growing number of gray hairs here and there!!

20. NAME ALL THE DIFFERENT CITIES/TOWNS YOU HAVE LIVED IN.
Queen of Arabian Sea, Capital city of Tamilnadu, Capital city of Hoosier state, US and the current one

21. FAVORITE SPORTS TO WATCH?
Again, no favorites here. India Vs Pakistan match excites me if I have the right company, my brother or CJJ ….same with tennis and American Football (Only if Colts are playing!) (Btw, I still don’t understand why they call it football when they throw the ball with their hands!!!)

22. ONE NICE THING ABOUT THE PERSON WHO SENT THIS TO YOU.
A nice young guy hiding under a ‘Komban Meesa’ with a special knack of making everyone feel special :)

23. WHAT'S UNDER YOUR BED?
Angels!

24. WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE BORN AS YOURSELF AGAIN?
Hmm….yes, if it is with some modification and improvements and if my family and CJJ is willing to paddle the life with me. I doubt the second part of that statement!!

25. MORNING PERSON, OR NIGHT OWL?
Neither. I need to sleep well.

26. OVER EASY, OR SUNNY SIDE UP?
Sunny side up

27. FAVORITE PLACE TO RELAX?
At home!

28. FAVORITE PIE?
Can I re-frame this question as favourite Payasam/Pradhaman? If yes, Parippu Pradhaman and Palada Payasam. If not, I’m not a pie person.

29. FAVORITE ICE CREAM FLAVOR?
Hmm…..difficult to say as I dont enjoy ice creams much……

30. OF ALL THE PEOPLE YOU TAGGED THIS TO, WHO'S MOST LIKELY TO RESPOND FIRST?
Let me tag firstttt !!! :) Seena, Jyothsna, Musical , Swati and Anamika



Mutton Fry / Aattirachi Olathiyathu is another favourite of non-vegetarian population of Kerala. Mutton is tastier than beef as well as expensive too. Curried or roasted or fried, it is ‘delicious’ when cooked with exotic spices and fresh herbs. This is my mother’s recipe and one of the many things I miss most about her cooking. Let me share this tasty, spicy and aromatic meat preparation with you.

Ingredients: (Approx.)
To Pressure cook:

• 1 lb fresh mutton with bones (around ½ kg) , cubed and washed
• 4 Indian green chillies, slit opened lengthwise
• 1 tbsp ginger finely chopped
• 1 ½ tbsp garlic finely chopped
• 1 ½ cups big onion, roughly chopped (around 1 large big onion)
• Salt to taste

To Sauté:

• ½ cup red-small pearl onions, thinly sliced
• 2-3 Indian green chillies, slit opened lengthwise
• 4 tsp coriander powder
• 1 ½ tsp chilly powder
• ¼ tsp turmeric powder
• Masala Powder(recipe follows)
• 2 sprigs of curry leaves
• ½ cup small coconut slices/’Thengakothu’ (Optional)
• Salt to taste
• 2 ½ tbsp coconut oil

To Make the Masala Powder:

• 1 tbsp fennel seeds/’Perinjeerakam’
• 6-8 cinnamon sticks of 1 inch length
• 1 cardamom pod
• 2 cloves
• ½ tbsp black peppercorns

Directions:

• Marinate the cubed pieces of meat with finely chopped ginger, garlic, green chilly, big onion and salt for about 10-15 minutes and then pressure cook until meat is cooked well.
• Grind the whole spices mentioned under the ‘Masala Powder’ section to make a fine powdered masala.
• In a large shallow pan, heat the oil and sauté thinly sliced small onions and green chillies , in low flame, until it starts to turn transparent. Tear off some curry leaves and add the coconut slices, ‘thengakothu’ to this. Now, add coriander powder and sauté for about 10 minutes, in very low heat, stirring continuously, until the spice powder is roasted well with small onion and its raw smell is gone; then add turmeric powder and chilly powder and again sauté for around 10 minutes, in very low heat, without burning the spices, stirring continuously; this is a very important stage as it sets the ground for the taste of the entire dish. Now add the masala powder (keep a pinch or two aside for the final sprinkling) and blend well with the roasted masala. At the stage add the meat and very little water and stir well, coating the meat evenly with the roasted masala base and cook covered and bring to a boil. (Note: If pressure cooking has produced some water from the meat, then there is no need to add extra water.) Now remove the lid, and stir well; do a taste-test and adjust the salt; then in low flame, roast the meat, stirring occasionally, until it is dried and roasted to brown colour, as in the picture above. Just two minutes before turning off the heat, add some more curry leaves and sprinkle a pinch or two of masala powder, kept aside earlier which leaves the dish with a wonderful aroma of fresh curry leaves and spices.
• Serve warm with rice or Palappam (Laced pancakes), chappathi or porotta (Indian flat breads). This dish attains its real flavour after a couple of hours from cooking and tastes the best, the next day!!

Luv
Shn

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