Goan Lamb Xacutti

Submitted by Pinaygourmet 345142

"This fabulously tasty Xacutti (pronounced as sha- kooti)is a specialty of the Goan kitchen. The spice mixture, or masala might look daunting, but even if you didnt have all the spices, you can still make a very good masala. If you really want to cheat for convenience, replace Xacutti masala with 1/4 cup of good quality Indian curry powder and 1 to 2 tbsp ground dried red chillies. You can also toast dried unsweetened coconut instead of fresh, if you like. Serve this with steamed basmati rice."

 

• Ready In: 4hrs
• Ingredients: 28
• Serves: 8-10

ingredients

• 1 (4 -6 lb) leg of lamb
• 1 fresh coconut
• 1⁄3 cup fresh lemon juice
• 6 garlic cloves, smashed
• 2 tablespoons chopped gingerroot
• 5 hot green chili peppers, chopped
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 3 onions, sliced
• 1 cup chopped tomato
• 1 tablespoon seedless tamarind paste
• 1 1⁄4 teaspoons salt

• Masala

• 30 dried hot red chili peppers, preferably Kashmiri
• 8 green cardamom pods
• 8 cloves
• 4 black cardamom pods
• 1 piece cassia or 1 cinnamon bark, 2-inch broken up
• 1⁄4 whole nutmeg, grated
• 2 tablespoons coriander seeds
• 1 tablespoon white poppy seeds or 1 tablespoon peanuts
• 1 tablespoon fennel seed
• 2 teaspoons cumin seeds
• 1 1⁄2 teaspoons black mustard seeds
• 1 1⁄2 teaspoons turmeric powder
• 3⁄4 teaspoon ajwain or 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
• 3⁄4 teaspoon anise seed
• 1⁄2 teaspoon black peppercorns
• 1⁄2 teaspoon mace
• 1⁄2 teaspoon fenugreek seeds

directions

1. Cut lamb into 1 1/2 inch cubes and place in non-aluminum bowl. In blender, puree lemon juice, garlic, ginger and hot green peppers. Mix with lamb; marinate for 1 hour at room temperature or refrigerate for 2 to 6 hours. Crack open coconut,discarding the liquid. Pry out coconut meat. Pare off brown out side layer; discard. Grate coconut. In dry skillet, toast coconut over medium heat, stirring often, until golden brown, about 12 minutes.

2. Masala:

3. In dry skillet, toast each spice separately over medium heat until fragrant and darkened in color. Transfer to spice grinder or blender along with toasted coconut; process until fine powder. Set aside.
4. In large shallow Dutch oven, heat oil over medium-high heat; fry onions, stirring often, until goldenbrown, about 7 minutes. Stir in lamb and increase heat to high; fry. stirring, until liquid is mostly evaporated and oil begins to separate, about 12 minutes. Add masala; reduce heat to medium and fry, stirring until fragrant and oil is separated, 10 to 15 minutes. Stir in tomatoes, tamarind, salt and 2 cups water.
5. Bring to simmer, reduce heat to medium- low and cook, partially covered and stirring often, until meat is tender and sauce is thick and clings to meat, about 1 1/2 hours.

Reviews

[alisonclair]

Very authentic curry. Took me a long time to prepare but well worth it. I added a tablespoon of mango chutney, as I like a slight sweet edge to my currys. Was delicious. Would cook again definately.

 

[celaviaster]

First ever authentic recipe for xacutti I have come across. I also add stoneflower & chirfal or Szchewan peppercorns for a zestier taste.