This is one of the strangest winters possible in Kolkata. First, there was a steep fall in temperature somewhere in the second week of November. Then again, the mercury soared and untimely rainfall for the last few days. As someone said, it’s a deliberation to wear either a raincoat/ windcheater or to wear a sweater.

What are the traditional/ characteristics of winter foods in Kolkata? My top draw will be Phulkopi and be it the Phulkopir roast which Ma cooks or Harabhara Gobi. How can one forget fulkopir Shingara. There are many many more like cakes from legendary places like Nahoums or The Lalit Great Eastern Bakery. However, nihari is literally mandatory. Nihari, whether it is beef nihari or mutton nihari, it has an elaborate slow cooking process. It is rich in taste and flavours with almost 50 spices going into it. Every place has its own recipe and secret spice blend. 

Winter also means Rashopuli – Read the recipe here

The origin story of Nihari

Nihari comes from the word ‘Nahar’ meaning day. Cooked for almost 6 – 8 hours overnight in large vessels sealed with dough, the richness of the spices in the gravy definitely calls for a comparison with a wild stormy affair. It is believed that Nawabs used to have Nihari after the sunrise prayers or Fajr and would sleep till afternoon for the afternoon prayers or Zhuhr. I wonder how could one go off to sleep after having a plate of Nihari. It is a rich stew with essential spices. Perhaps that’s the reason Nihari was also served as a breakfast to labourers at construction sites in lieu of the daily wages.

How to make Mutton Nihari - 6

Some call it the national dish of Pakistan (debated). And as per some, the dish was discovered in Delhi during the Mughal empire. Post-1947, when lots of immigrants settled in various parts of Pakistan, the recipe and the dish also travelled to Pakistan. The origin of Nihari has some clout as most claim it from the back alleys of Jamia Masjid. Having said that, there is another belief that this was from Lucknow under the Awadhi rule. Even it’s said that when Bada Imambara was getting built-in 1784 – 85, the then Nawab Asaf Ud Daula used to feed the labourers with Nihari.

Nihari in Kolkata

With so much of Nawabi and Mughal influence in food and some of the best Bawarchis and Khansamas coming to the city as a part of Nawab Wajid Ali Shah entourage,  it is obvious that Kolkata will also have its share of the Nihari joints. Sufia restaurant in Zakaria street is one of the most prominent places to try Beef Nihari. Tiffin carriers are sent on the previous night by the Nihari lovers. Ahmed Rasool, who has been running this restaurant for more than 50 years has the recipe as a closely guarded family recipe.

How to make Mutton Nihari - 4

How to make Nihari - 7

How to make Nihari - 1

There is Jadid Islamia Hotel, which is again 75 years old at Colootola. Haji Hafiz Ali Jabbar founded the restaurant 80 years ago and now this place is run by Muhammad Zubair Zaman. The recipe is a secret but in the gravy, they use browned onions with various herbs like Mulethi, balchar, and ratanjot. The trail does not end here. UP Bihar Restaurant in New Market is more than 70 years old and known for its Beef Nihari and then there is always the famous Paaya Nihari at Zeeshan Restaurant in Park Circus. I have only tasted the Paaya Nihari and liked it a lot but will like to go on a trail for these and come up with a separate blog post for sure.

Mutton Nihari Recipe by Sadia Dehlvi

The recipe is more or less the same as the one from Sadia Dehlvi in one of the HT articles on Nihari.

I discussed this with the food writer and friend Anoothi Vishal. She highlighted a very important aspect. Because the dish originated to feed the construction workers and the not so well off strata of society, it is Beef Nihari which is the authentic one. Mutton Nihari was more consumed by the rich and middle class of society. Although some may claim that they use Kareli or lamb shanks in their Nihari, the origin of Nihari may not justify that. Most of the time, it is unsophisticated meat cuts that went into the making of Nihari. When it’s a dish like this that has a rich history and traces its root to many places, the discussion will go on and on but as of now, an attempt at mutton nihari will be worth it.

In case you wanted to know what happens in Delhi with mutton nihari during winters, please read this wonderful article by Saad GhaniLink here

How to make Mutton Nihari Pinterest - 3
How to make Mutton Nihari Pinterest - 2
How to make Mutton Nihari Pinterest - 1
How to make Mutton Nihari - 5

Mutton Nihari for winters

A rich stew made with mutton shanks and numerous spices and slow-cooked to give a depth of flavour. Whole wheat flour is added to give the gravy a body and this dish is definitely meant to be had in winters. The recipe is more or less the same as the one from Sadia Dehlvi in one of the HT articles on Nihari. Recipe Author: Madhushree
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 5 hours
Total Time 5 hours 10 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Indian
Servings 5 people

Ingredients
  

  • 1 Kg Mutton

Nihari Masala

  • 1 tsp cumin seed
  • 1 blade mace
  • 2 tsp fennel seeds
  • 2 tsp dry ginger powder
  • 4 nos green cardamom
  • 6 nos cloves
  • 1 no bay leaf
  • 1 inch cinnamon stick
  • 8 nos peppercorns
  • 1/2 tsp nutmeg powder

Other ingredients

  • 3 tsp Garlic Paste
  • 1 tsp Ginger Paste
  • 2 tsp kashmiri red chili powder
  • 1/2 cup whole wheat flour
  • 1 cup ghee or oil

For Garnish

  • Ginger julienne
  • chopped coriander leaves
  • lemon wedges
  • crispy fried onions

Instructions
 

  • The first thing one needs to do is to dry roast all the spices for the Nihari masala and then grind them into a fine powder to be used later.
  • In a heavy-bottomed saucepan or a degchi, heat ghee or oil if you wish to make a healthier version. However, I prefer ghee since it gives an incredible flavour and richness. This is not your everyday dish, so once in a while, a little bit of indulgence is quite acceptable.
  • Once the ghee is hot, add ginger and garlic paste and start to saute them. Sprinkle some salt too.
  • Add red chili powder to this and a little bit of water so that the masala doesn't stick to the pan.
  • Once the raw smell of the garlic goes away, throw in the mutton pieces and stir.
  • Then add the dry spice mix (Nihari masala) and make sure that all the mutton pieces are thoroughly coated in the spices. Sprinkle some water if required.
  • Once the mutton has got some colour to it, add about 4 cups of water. Add salt.
  • Then give it a boil and lower the heat. Cover and cook for 4 to 5 hours.
  • From time to time, you may check on the meat. Sometimes you may need to add more water if the liquid evaporates. In case you want to reduce your cooking time, you can pressure cook for 3 - 4 whistles and then cover and cook on low heat for 2 hours. It is important to slow cook the meat to achieve the depth of flavour.
  • Once the meat is tender, make a slurry of the whole wheat flour with half a cup of water and add to the meat.
  • Give it a boil on high heat. Add water if required or boil for some time to reduce the amount of liquid. The basic idea is to have a thick gravy with ghee floating.
  • Once you have reached the desired consistency, turn off the heat.
  • Garnish the Nihari with ginger julienne, chopped coriander leaves, and deep-fried onions. Serve lemon wedges on the side. You can have the Nihari with some parathas or rotis.
Keyword mutton nihari, mutton nihari in delhi, mutton nihari recipe, old delhi nihai, sadia dehlvi nihari