If there¡¯s one thing we know, it¡¯s that Indian food never misses ¡ª and now, the world agrees! TasteAtlas, the ultimate food and travel guide, just dropped its list of the 100 best ground meat dishes globally, and guess what? India¡¯s Keema has secured the 5th spot!?
Keema is the ultimate comfort food: a spicy, juicy, flavor-packed minced meat dish that can be enjoyed in so many ways! It¡¯s served as a curry, stuffed in crispy samosas or flaky parathas, even layered in fragrant biryani. Basically, if you enjoy meat, Keema is a must try.?
The word "keema" comes from the Turkic word "qiyma," meaning "minced meat." It made its way to India thanks to the Mughals, who brought along their rich Persian and Central Asian cooking styles. What started as a royal dish soon became a staple in Indian homes, with every region adding its own spin.
?From the bold and spicy North Indian keema curry to Mumbai¡¯s legendary keema pav, this dish is as versatile as it is delicious.?
If you¡¯re ready to level up your cooking game, here¡¯s how you can whip up an authentic keema that¡¯ll have everyone asking for seconds.
Ingredients:
- 500g minced mutton (or lamb/chicken)
- 2 onions (finely chopped)
- 2 tomatoes (chopped)
- 2 tsp ginger-garlic paste
- 2 green chilies (chopped)
- 1 tsp cumin seeds
- 1 tsp turmeric powder
- 1 tsp coriander powder
- 1 tsp garam masala
- 1 tsp red chili powder
- ? cup green peas (optional, but highly recommended)
- 2 tbsp oil
- Salt to taste
- Fresh coriander for garnish
Step-by step guide
- Saut¨¦ the aomatics: Begin by heating oil in a skillet. Once the oil is hot, add cumin seeds and let them sizzle. Add finely chopped onions and saut¨¦ them until they turn golden brown for a deeper flavor base.
- Build the flavor: Add ginger-garlic paste and chopped green chilies to the pan, stirring until the raw smell of the ginger and garlic disappears. Next add chopped tomatoes and cook until they become soft and incorporated into your ingredients, building a developing rich masala base.?
- Spice it up: Stir in the turmeric, coriander, red chili powder, and salt. Cook for a minute to allow the spices to bloom in the oil.
- Cook the minced meat: Add the minced mutton (or preferred meat) to the pan and mix to coat the meat with the spices. Break up the meat with the spatula and let cook on medium heat until the meat turns color and releases its juices.Simmer to Perfection: Add ? cup water into the pan, cover, and simmer for approximately 15-20 minutes to allow the meshing of flavors, making the mutton juicy and tender. If you are using them at this stage you can also add green peas or diced potatoes for texture.
And there you have it¡ªrestaurant-level keema made at home!??
If you¡¯re wondering which dish snagged the top position, it¡¯s Tire K?ftesi from T¨¹rkiye¡ªa simple yet mouthwatering grilled meatball dish served with tomato sauce and yogurt. But hey, securing 5th place in a world full of amazing ground meat dishes? That¡¯s a flex.
So, are you trying this legendary keema recipe or what? Let¡¯s get cooking!