Rista is a traditional Kashmiri dish consisting of succulent meatballs made from finely minced mutton, delicately flavored with a blend of aromatic spices like cardamom, cinnamon, and cloves. These meatballs are gently simmered in a rich and vibrant red gravy, presenting a tantalizing taste of Kashmiri culinary heritage. Served alongside rice or naan, Rista offers a delightful and aromatic dining experience, highlighting the nuanced flavors and textures of Kashmiri cuisine.
Here’s a detailed recipe to prepare Rista:
Ingredients:
For Meatballs (Rista):
- 500 grams mutton mince
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons gram flour (besan)
- 1 teaspoon ginger paste
- 1 teaspoon garlic paste
- 1/2 teaspoon fennel powder
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- Salt to taste
For Gravy:
- 2 tablespoons oil or ghee
- 2 onions, finely chopped
- 2 tomatoes, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon ginger-garlic paste
- 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
- 1 teaspoon ground red chili powder (adjust to taste)
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon garam masala
- Salt to taste
- Fresh coriander leaves for garnish
Instructions:
1. Prepare the Meatballs (Rista): a. In a mixing bowl, combine mutton mince, chopped onion, gram flour, ginger paste, garlic paste, fennel powder, cardamom powder, cinnamon powder, cloves, black pepper, and salt. b. Mix well and knead the mixture for about 8-10 minutes until it becomes smooth and slightly sticky. c. Shape the mixture into round meatballs (Rista). Set aside.
2. Cooking the Meatballs: a. Heat oil or ghee in a large pot. b. Add chopped onions and sauté until golden brown. c. Add ginger-garlic paste and sauté for a minute until fragrant. d. Add chopped tomatoes and cook until they soften.
3. Prepare Gravy: a. Add ground turmeric, ground red chili powder, ground coriander, ground cumin, garam masala, and salt to the pot. Mix well and cook the spices for a couple of minutes. b. Pour in about 4-5 cups of water and bring the mixture to a simmer.
4. Simmering the Meatballs in Gravy: a. Gently drop the prepared meatballs into the simmering gravy. b. Cover the pot and let it simmer on low heat for about 30-40 minutes until the meatballs are fully cooked and tender.
5. Garnish and Serve: a. Once done, garnish Rista with fresh coriander leaves. b. Serve hot with steamed rice or naan.
Rista showcases juicy and flavorful meatballs simmered in a spicy and aromatic red gravy, representing the authentic flavors of Kashmiri cuisine in a delightful and satisfying dish.
