Laal Maas -- Chef Kunal Kapur

Laal Maas – In search of the True Laal Maas -- Chef Kunal Kapur




Chef Kunal Kapur

Fear of extinction is real and very serious, be it with the animal, plants or food. Dishes on the verge of extinction are as crucial as saving a tiger. A passionate foodie and a chef like me has a moral responsibility to try as much to research, preserve and spread the knowledge about the foods that we are slowly now loosing.
Ask an average foodie to name a few Rajasthani dishes and he will blur out the usual that one finds in most Rajasthani menus and festivitiy menus outside of Rajasthan. Dal bati churma, soola, gatta curry, bajra ki roti, Laal Maas…and it usually it ends there. No matter how aromatic these sound but what is really alarming about these dishes is that we are quickly loosing the authentic and classical ways of preparing our food. Furthermore many great Rajasthani dishes are on the verge of extinction simply because they just failed to be commercially famous on the menus.
The classic examples of such near extinct dishes are the Khargosh ka mokul (shredded rabbit in a yogurt curry), Khargosh ka Kheema, Khad Cooking (cooking meats in pits covered in sand), Kaleji ka Raita (yogurt laced with tempered lamb liver), Chakki ka Saag (Steamed wheat protein cakes) and numerous other dishes that were once iconic to the Rajasthani cuisine.
Few that are still alive are merely bad clones of the classical version. One such example is the “Laal Maas”. Literally translated it means “Red Meat”. It is characterized by its bold red colour and a spicy tang. Unarguably it is the most famous Rajasthani non vegetarian dish famous outside of Rajasthan. Right from the in flight menus of the luxury airliner to the festivity menus of 5 star menus and from the chef’s specials of big caterings to its molecular version it has fancied many and most of us at some point of our lives have tasted some version of the Laal Maas. The sad part is, most of us have tasted an abused version of it.
It is simply because since a very long time they (khansamas) have kept the recipes very close to their heart and never really shared the complete and true recipe. This has given an unwanted freedom to the present day chefs to create a version of their own and call it by its authentic name.

I am a passionate traveler and as I travel I look forward to eat the local cuisine. I love mutton and Laal Maas is one of my favorite dishes. In my endeavor to find the True Laal Maas I came across several versions within rajasthan. I must have had at least 8 different versions of the Laal Maas in rajasthan and furthermore encountered a lot of myths around the Fabled Dish.

I was so confused with what is the real recipe of the Laal Maas that at one point I almost gave up. But help comes to those who seek….and I was fortunate enough through Masterchef that for a task we travelled to the Palace of the Maharana of Udaipur. Maharaj Shriji Arvindji the 76th Maharana of Udaipur is the King of the oldest surviving dyn
asty of the world.
And as big his name and might of his family is, in the same way are his Rajputana mannerisms. “Ghar par aaye mehman bina khaye nahi jaate”, he said in his enigmatic deep voice.  So a royal buffet was laid for the entire crew that very night after the shoot in his palace. I was a very fortunate person to have sat with the Maharana himself over a lavish meal from his royal kitchen. Besides many dishes that night we were served Laal Maas made by the royal khansama. That gave me a good opportunity to have answers toall my confusion I had encountered. Maharana Shriji Arvindji was generous enough to clear a lot of myths on the Laal Maas and also asked his Khansama to give out the recipe from the royal kitchen. I am more than happy to share the myths and clarity on those myths and the True Laal Maas recipe.

Myths about the Laal Maas--
·       Was originally made with wild boar or deer as it was a dish created by the hunters.
·       It has to be extremely spicy.
·       It has to have kashmiri chilli for colour.
·       It is another version of roganjosh.
·       Colour has to be added so much that it looks ridiculously red in order to go with the name.
·       And the most abused version is the Punjabisized avatar where it is cooked with tomatoes.

To begin with Laal Maas is always made with mutton and not deer or wild boar (by the way one of the best quality of mutton comes from Rajasthan). It never uses tomatoes, instead uses buttermilk or curd for the acidity in the curry. The deep red colour and the spicy character comes from a special chilli called the “Mathania Red Chilly”, which comes from Mathania in Jodhpur. 
Mathania Chilly
It is unlike a roganjosh and is thick, semi dry curry. It has a redolent flavor of cloves and garlic and is made in mustard oil. It is very delicately smoked with charcoal; though that is an option cause another great version is made omitting the smoke.

Recipe of Laal Maas

Mutton (cut in 1”pieces) – 500gms
Mustard oil – 100 ml
Cloves – 10 nos
Onion sliced – 1 cup
Ginger garlic paste – 6 tbl spn
Mathania Chilly Paste – 4 tbl spn
Salt – to taste
Curd – 1 ½ cup
Chopped garlic – 2 tbl spn
Ghee – 2 tbl spn
Charcoal – 1 small piece

Method

Heat mustard oil till it smokes and immediately turn off the. Let it cool to medium hot. Turn on the fire and add the cloves, once it crackles add the sliced onion. Once it browns add the mutton and bhunno for 5 mins. Now add the ginger garlic paste and bhunno for another  mins. Add the salt and mathania chilly paste. Bhunno uncovered for another 3 mins. Now increase the flame and add whisked yogurt. Keep stirring till the yogurt comes to a boil. Now simmer and cook till mutton is done. Add little water or stock if required at any stage. Separately heat 1 tbl spn of ghee and add chopped garlic. Brown it and add as a tempering to the mutton. Now place a piece of live charcoal in the cup and place the cup in the curry. Add a tbl spn of ghee and immediately cove with a lid and allow the smoke to infuse with the laal maas for about 3 mins. Remove the charcoal and heat it once again and serve hot.

Comments

  1. Excellent Kunal. Lovely authentic recipe. I had chance to hv Lal Maas at my nephews Army camp at Bikaner & Cooked by a Local villager. Almost d same except lassan ka tadka but was smoked. 👍👏👌

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Shirish Masala Rajasthani Mathania Lal Mirch Powder-400 Grams https://www.amazon.in/dp/B07FDYRCPW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_Vfg-Bb7HDQKXN

      Delete
  2. Great historic perspective. Thanks Chef for sharing this..

    Also i heard usage of Kachri powder as tenderizing agent. Can you let me know when exactly this needs to be used?

    ReplyDelete
  3. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Can I use regular red chilli powder? where can i get malthania chilly paste?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Shirish Masala Rajasthani Mathania Lal Mirch Powder-400 Grams https://www.amazon.in/dp/B07FDYRCPW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_Vfg-Bb7HDQKXN

      Delete
  5. Chef, I am very happy to find authentic Indian recipes here. Hope your information on authenticity in Indian dishes will remain as a treasure reference for young generations.parameshwar will bless the good work of yours always

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Shirish Masala Rajasthani Mathania Lal Mirch Powder-400 Grams https://www.amazon.in/dp/B07FDYRCPW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_Vfg-Bb7HDQKXN

      Delete
  6. Thanks for sharing this recipe.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Thanks for sharing the recipe and the history of it. I first saw the Lal Maas demonstrated by you in My Yellow Table. Chef I want to try your recipe but i can't find live charcoal here. So any alternative? Thanks.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. you have to take charcoal and make it live :)
      live charcoal is basically charcoal which is a hot ember,still burning.

      Delete
  8. Dear Kunal, I'm very impressed & touched by your narration of your journey to find an authentic recipe. There are many good chefs and even more food shows, but I like the honesty with which you have shared your journey here. The hero of the story...the recipe is at the end but the script shimmers across. I'm now searching for Mathania chilli to give it a try. Thank you sharing your experience.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Hi Kunal, i tried ur authentic Laal maans recipe, for the first two times it turned out amazing but later wen i tried at my restaurent the curd split n the same is happening every time i m trying out this recipe.. Please help me out with the problem.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mathania Chilli is Secret behind Authentic Rajasthani Laal Maas. Traditionally Royal Families used to make it with Mathania Chillies.
      It gives the dish deep Red colour and wonderful smell. Switch to Authentic ingredients to Make Authentic Dish.People are forced to use kashmiri and other chillies in it because of unavailability of mathania chillies but that is no more. Now we provide it directly to your home via amazon. Just type shirish masala mathania chilli on Amazon and u will get it.Order Yours Now.

      Delete
  10. Hi Kunal, i tried ur authentic Laal maans recipe, for the first two times it turned out amazing but later wen i tried at my restaurent the curd split n the same is happening every time i m trying out this recipe.. Please help me out with the problem.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ajeeta ji you must keep the flame high at the time you add the Curd. At high flame the Curd does not get split and it emulsfies easily.

      Delete
  11. To avoid the splitting of the curd u must mix one tsp of maida or sugar - 1/2 tsp - NOT BOTH TOGETHER- with the sour curds. Then add it to the curry. This is also for when u add sour curds to any preparation.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Sorry Kunal ! I forgot to say that I am giving the solution for the split curds with Ur permission 😬What is the substitute for mathania chilly paste ?! Please let me know ASAP coz I want to try out this dish.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi I didnt get the mathania chilli instead I used raesham patta a variety of red chilli found in Gujarat has rich deep red colour.

      Delete
    2. Mathania Chilli is Secret behind Authentic Rajasthani Laal Maas. Traditionally Royal Families used to make it with Mathania Chillies.
      It gives the dish deep Red colour and wonderful smell. Switch to Authentic ingredients to Make Authentic Dish.People are forced to use kashmiri and other chillies in it because of unavailability of mathania chillies but that is no more. Now we provide it directly to your home via amazon. Just type shirish masala mathania chilli on Amazon and u will get it.Order Yours Now.

      Delete
    3. Mathania Chilli is Secret behind Authentic Rajasthani Laal Maas. Traditionally Royal Families used to make it with Mathania Chillies.
      It gives the dish deep Red colour and wonderful smell. Switch to Authentic ingredients to Make Authentic Dish.People are forced to use kashmiri and other chillies in it because of unavailability of mathania chillies but that is no more. Now we provide it directly to your home via amazon. Just type shirish masala mathania chilli on Amazon and u will get it.Order Yours Now.

      Delete
  13. You can get mathania dry red chillies almost at any Marwari kirana merchant, soak them overnight or for couple of hours and grind them to paste.

    ReplyDelete
  14. "Chilli are of various type but I will recommend all to go for mathania chilli buy online
    Thanks for sharing such an amazing information.
    Keep bringing more. :)"

    ReplyDelete
  15. Arindam Mazumdar1 February 2018 at 05:27

    Lovely description of the most beloved dish of Rajasthan..in search of looking for authentic recipe ..I came across your blog and what a catch...loved reading every sentence of yours with shear delight and amazingly simple decoded recipe ..I would surely give your recipe a try ..wish me good luck

    ReplyDelete
  16. I have been looking for exactly this! I followed every step.... the only thing I changed was I cooked the onions separately first and then blended it into a onion paste.

    I am so glad you shared this as since my trip to Rajasthan I have tried (and failed) to create anything close to what I made last night.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Brilliant article. Very well written. Thanks for sharing!!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Shirish Masala Rajasthani Mathania Lal Mirch Powder-400 Grams https://www.amazon.in/dp/B07FDYRCPW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_Vfg-Bb7HDQKXN

    ReplyDelete
  19. Shirish Masala Rajasthani Mathania Lal Mirch-Whole-Stemless-400 Grams https://www.amazon.in/dp/B07M6W1SSN/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_2wHoCbV40V6SG

    ReplyDelete
  20. It helped me clear my confusion too sir...thank you so much

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mathania Chilli is Secret behind Authentic Rajasthani Laal Maas. Traditionally Royal Families used to make it with Mathania Chillies.
      It gives the dish deep Red colour and wonderful smell. Switch to Authentic ingredients to Make Authentic Dish.People are forced to use kashmiri and other chillies in it because of unavailability of mathania chillies but that is no more. Now we provide it directly to your home via amazon. Just type shirish masala mathania chilli on Amazon and u will get it.Order Yours Now.

      Delete
  21. Guys don't get confused instead of using Mathania Chilly you can use regular chilly powder there is nothing special about Mathania Chilly it's not so hot not so mild kind of chilly.
    One more thing for that Laal Maans it doesn't require to add onion.
    Also add turmeric powder a little bit.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Nice! For make Peach Juice Recipe homemade. For my video visit
    Arfa Recipe
    and
    subcribe my youtube channel Recipes with arfa

    ReplyDelete
  23. Shut up Ravi...we all know about Mathaniya Red Chill...this is not the marketing platform.

    ReplyDelete
  24. This is a brilliant recipe, am a bit confused about the Ginger Garlic paste quantity though. Generally make 1 KG of mutton and am always scared to put 12 Tablespoons of GG paste.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment