Niramish mangshoGoat curry without onion or garlic
Niramish mangsho is a Bengali paradox: 'vegetarian meat'. It is goat curry made without onion or garlic, the way it has long been cooked as an offering in some Bengali households on Kali Puja and on Durga Navami, when the meat is treated as bhog. Here the mutton (goat) is bought ready-cut from the butcher and marinated in yoghurt and ginger, then slow-cooked with whole spices, cumin and a little sugar into a dark, aromatic, surprisingly clean-tasting curry. Serve it with luchi or plain rice. Common mistake: rushing the bhuna (slow frying); keep cooking the marinated meat until the yoghurt disappears and the oil separates and turns red, or the curry tastes sour and raw. The meat is done when it pulls easily from the bone and reaches 71 °C in the thickest part. Chef's tip: a spoon of ghee and a pinch of the hand-ground Bengali garam masala at the very end gives the curry its festive perfume.



