Mutton Ishtu (Kerala Mutton Stew)
A mild Kerala stew of mutton and vegetables in coconut milk, scented with cardamom, cinnamon and black pepper.
- Time2 hr
- LevelEasy
- Costabout £2.20 a head
Cost is worked out from Aldi and Tesco shelf prices in October 2026. Your shop and brands will differ.
Estimated nutrition per serving
- 604kcal
- 21.7gcarbs
- 6.8gof which sugars
- 46.1gfat
- 25.3gsaturates
- 27.8gprotein
- 4gfibre
- 1.8gsalt
A rough estimate worked out from the ingredients, for the serving size above. It is a guide only and not medical advice. If you count carbs or manage diabetes, check with your own tools and your care team.
Ingredients
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Method
- 1
Heat 2 tbsp of the coconut oil in a heavy pan over a medium heat. Add the cinnamon, cardamom, cloves and peppercorns and sizzle for 15 seconds.
- 2
Add the onions, ginger, garlic, green chillies and half the curry leaves. Cook for 8 minutes until soft but not coloured.
8 min - 3
Add the mutton, salt and water. Bring to the boil, cover and simmer on a low heat for 1 hour, until the mutton is nearly tender.
60 min - 4
Add the potatoes and carrots and simmer for 20 minutes until tender.
20 min - 5
Pour in the coconut milk and warm through for 5 minutes without boiling hard. Add the lemon juice.
5 min - 6
Heat the remaining 1 tbsp coconut oil in a small pan with the rest of the curry leaves until they crackle, then pour over the stew. Serve with appam, bread or rice.
Double check before you cook. Recipes can contain mistakes. Any diet labels come from the ingredients as written in this recipe and are a guide, not a guarantee. Always check every ingredient and the packet label for allergens and cross contamination, and ask your doctor or dietitian what is right for you, especially with coeliac disease, diabetes or a serious allergy. This is not medical advice.
