Nihari (Pakistani Slow-Cooked Lamb)

Nihari (Pakistani Slow-Cooked Lamb)

Nihari (Pakistani Slow-Cooked Lamb)

Nihari is a classic Pakistani dish dating as far back as the 16th century during the Mughal Empire. Lamb shoulder is slow cooked in a variety of spices and fried onions until it is fall off the bone tender. Serve the lamb with basmati rice and chapati.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time1 hour 45 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Pakistani
Keyword: lamb, main course, Pakistani, South Asian
Author: Alex Gorgos

Equipment

  • Spice grinder

Ingredients

  • 1 lb lamb shoulder cubed
  • 4 tbsp ghee
  • 1 large white onion diced
  • 1 tsp ground turmeric
  • 1 tsp ground coriander
  • 1 tsp ground ginger
  • 1 tsp chili powder
  • 1 tsp black pepper
  • 1/2 tsp spice mix
  • 3 bay leaves
  • 1/4 cup rice flour
  • 4 cups water
  • salt to taste

Spice Mix

  • 1 tsp ground cardamom
  • 1 tsp ground coriander
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp ground nutmeg
  • 1/2 tsp ground cloves
  • 1 cinnamon stick

Garnish

  • cilantro chopped

Instructions

  • Mix together the spice mix ingredients together. Set aside.
    Pakistani, main course, lamb
  • Heat up the ghee in a large sauté pan over medium high heat. Add the lamb and brown for 10 minutes.
    Pakistani, main course, lamb
  • Mix together the turmeric, coriander, ginger, chili powder, black pepper and 1/2 cup water.
    Pakistani, main course, lamb
  • Pour in the spice slurry into the lamb and simmer for 2 minutes; coating the lamb.
    Pakistani, main course, lamb
  • Mix together the rice flour and 1 cup of water to make a slurry. Pour that into the lamb. Add the bay leaves.
    Pakistani, main course, lamb
  • While the lamb is simmering, sauté the onions in a small sauté pan.
    Pakistani, main course, lamb
  • Season the onions with 1/3 of the spice mix.
    Pakistani, main course, lamb
  • Add the sautéed onions and the rest of the spice mix to the lamb. Pour in 2 cups of water. Bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium low and simmer uncovered for 90 minutes.
    Pakistani, main course, lamb
  • Season with salt to taste.
    Pakistani, main course, lamb
Pakistani, main course, lamb
Garnish with cilantro. Serve the nihari with basmati rice and chapati.