Mutton Paya Shorba
A rich and aromatic Mughlai soup made by slow-cooking mutton trotters until they are fall-off-the-bone tender. This gelatinous broth is infused with whole spices and is incredibly comforting.
For 4 servings
4 steps. 90 minutes total.
- 1
Step 1
- a.Pressure Cook the Trotters: Place the cleaned mutton paya in a large pressure cooker. Add 4 cups of water, 1 tsp salt, turmeric powder, and 1 tbsp of ginger-garlic paste. Secure the lid and cook on high heat until the first whistle, then reduce heat to medium. Cook for about 45-50 minutes or 10-12 whistles, until the trotters are very tender and the meat is falling off the bone. Let the pressure release naturally. Strain the stock and keep it aside. Separate the cooked paya.
- 2
Step 2
- a.Prepare the Shorba Base: Heat ghee or oil in a heavy-bottomed pot or dutch oven over medium heat. Add all the whole spices (bay leaf, cinnamon, cloves, black and green cardamoms) and sauté for 30-40 seconds until fragrant. Add the sliced onions and fry until they are deep golden brown. This can take 8-10 minutes and is crucial for the flavor. Add the remaining 1 tbsp of ginger-garlic paste and cook for another minute until the raw smell disappears. Pour in the tomato puree and cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the oil starts to separate from the masala. Add the powdered spices: red chili powder, coriander powder, and the remaining 0.5 tsp salt. Mix well and cook for a minute. Reduce the heat to low, add the whisked yogurt, and stir continuously for 2-3 minutes to prevent it from curdling.
- 3
Step 3
- a.Combine and Simmer: Add the cooked mutton paya to the pot and mix gently to coat them with the masala. Pour in the reserved paya stock and an additional 2 cups of water, or as needed to reach your desired soup consistency. Bring the shorba to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the pot and let it simmer for at least 30 minutes. This allows the flavors to meld together beautifully.
- 4
Finish and Serve: Stir in the garam masala and black pepper powder
- a.Garnish with chopped coriander leaves and ginger juliennes. Serve the Mutton Paya Shorba hot with lemon wedges on the side and naan or roti.
What to keep in mind.
6 tips from the recipe — small details that make a real difference to the final dish.
- 1Thoroughly cleaning the paya is the most important step. Ensure any hair is singed off and they are washed well.
- 2Don't rush frying the onions. A deep, even golden brown color adds a rich, sweet depth to the shorba.
- 3The final slow simmer is key to a flavorful soup. Don't skip this step, as it allows the trotters to absorb the masala flavors.
- 4The shorba will thicken as it cools due to the natural gelatin from the trotters. Reheat gently with a splash of water if needed.
- 5For a clearer broth, you can strain the shorba before serving, but traditionally it's served as is.
- 6This dish can also be made in a slow cooker after the initial masala is prepared. Cook on low for 6-8 hours.
Adapt it for your goals.
Healthy
Use vegetable oil instead of ghee and carefully skim off the layer of fat from the top of the shorba before serving to reduce calories.
quickQuick
Use store-bought fried onions (birista) to save time. Add them after cooking the ginger-garlic paste and tomatoes.
spicySpicy
For extra heat, increase the red chili powder to 1.5 tsp and add 2-3 slit green chilies during the final simmering stage.
high proteinHigh protein
Add 200g of boneless mutton pieces along with the paya during the pressure cooking step for a meatier, more substantial soup.
