Nihari - an Indian / Pakistan slow braised meat dish

Nihari is a popular street food that is dished up with a centerpiece of meat, surrounded in a spiced gravy with hot oil spooned over top.

According to the Hindustan Times, it was originally meant to be eaten in the morning during cold weather, but it seems there are also shops open late into the night now.

The dish is served into eating in this communal, hands-on fashion with naan or some other type of indian bread. What makes it special is both the succulent meat and the slightly thick and spiced sauce that surrounds it.

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Nihari

Yield: 4 to 6

Author: Ethan Chlebowski

Prep time: 10 MinCook time: 10 MinInactive time: 6 HourTotal time: 6 H & 20 M

This dish is served into eating in this communal, hands-on fashion with naan or some other type of Indian bread. What makes it special is both the succulent meat and the slightly thick and spiced sauce that surrounds it.

Ingredients

Nihari

• 2 lamb shanks
• 1 piece Osso Bucco (beef)
• Salt
• 30 g (2 tbsp) Ghee (substitute: peanut, avocado, or vegetable oil)
• 4 garlic cloves, grated
• 1-inch piece of ginger, grated
• 1/4 onion, sliced
• 2 TBSP Nihari Masala (recipe below)
• 1 TBSP Turmeric Powder
• 3 Bay leaves
• 2 TBSP (60 g) yogurt
• 750 ml (3 cups) of water
• 30 g flour + 113 g water (for thickening)
• Salt to taste

Garnishes

• Julienned ginger
• Sliced chiles
• Cilantro
• Lime slices

Serve with

• Julienned ginger
• Sliced chiles
• Cilantro
• Lime slices

Instructions

1. Place the lamb shanks and osso bucco on a wire rack over a baking sheet. Sprinkle salt all over the exterior. Set in the fridge uncovered. Let dry brine for at least 2 hours or up to 1 day. (Optional)
2. Prep the Nihari masala (spice mix), grate the ginger and garlic, and slice the onion.
3. Set a dutch oven over medium-high heat and add the ghee. Once hot, add the shanks and osso bucco. Brown on all sides as best you can, work in batches if it all doesn't fit. Set the browned shanks aside on a plate, turn the heat to medium. Add the sliced onion, grated garlic and ginger, Nihari masala, turmeric powder, and bay leaves. Saute for 30 to 60 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn. Mix the yogurt into the spices. Add the meat back in along with enough water to partially submerge the meat, about 3/4 the way up.
4. Set the dutch oven in a preheated 250 F (121 C) oven. Let braise for 4 to 5 hours until the meat is very tender and flakes away with a fork. Flip once or twice as needed.
5. Remove the pot from the oven and set on the stove over medium heat. Carefully remove the meat to a plate and set it aside. Using a spoon separate the layer of fat that should be on the top of the sauce. If there isn't much fat, you can use a pan of hot ghee to pour over top to serve later on.
6. Once the oil is separated, mix the flour and water into a small until no lumps of flour remain. Set the dutch oven with the sauce back over medium heat. Stir the flour mixture into the pot and cook until slightly thickened. Turn off the heat and add the pieces of meat back in.
7. Meanwhile, set the separate oil (or extra ghee) in a pan over medium heat.
8. To serve, spoon the thickened gravy onto a plate or bowl. Add a piece of the braised meat in the center. Pour over some of the hot spiced ghee. Garnish with Julienned ginger, sliced chiles, cilantro, and lime slices. Eat with naan, phulka, or roti. Also great with rice.

Created using The Recipes Generator

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Nihari Masala (spice mix)

Author: Ethan Chlebowski

Prep time: 10 MinTotal time: 10 Min

Ingredients

• 2 TBSP Cumin seeds
• 2 TBSP Fennel seeds
• 1/2 TBSP Coriander seeds
• 1 Black cardamom, skin removed, seeds only
• 5 Green cardamom pods, skin removed, seeds only
• 10 Cloves
• 20 Black Peppercorns
• 1 inch piece of Cinnamon
• 1 TBSP Red chile powder
• Grated nutmeg

Instructions

1. Set a pan over medium-low heat. Add the whole spices and toast until fragrant, being careful not to burn. Add to a spice grinder or mortar and pestle and grind into a fine powder. Add to a container and set aside.

Created using The Recipes Generator