Fancy a trip to Pakistan's lively food markets without leaving your kitchen? Then achar gosht is the dish for you! The name literally means "pickled meat" in Urdu, and that's exactly what makes this curry so special. It has an irresistible tangy, spicy flavour reminiscent of traditional pickles, thanks to a complex blend of spices including fennel, fenugreek and nigella seeds. Getting the balance just right can be tricky, but with Shan Achar Gosht Mix it becomes wonderfully easy. This ready-made spice blend contains everything you need to make an authentic, unforgettable achar gosht at home.
What you'll need
- 500–750 g lamb or beef, diced for stewing
- 100 ml plain yoghurt, lightly whisked
- 2 medium onions, finely chopped
- 250 g tomatoes, chopped
- 1 tbsp ginger and garlic paste
- 100 ml cooking oil or ghee
- 5–6 green chillies, left whole with a slit down the length
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 packet Shan Achar Gosht Mix 50g
- Fresh coriander to garnish
- Water as needed
Method – step by step
- Step 1: Prepare the chillies. Mix 2 tablespoons of Shan Achar Gosht Mix with the lemon juice to make a thick paste. Carefully stuff the slit green chillies with the paste and set aside.
- Step 2: Brown the meat. Heat the oil or ghee in a large pan over a medium-high heat. Add the meat and brown it on all sides until it has a good colour.
- Step 3: Fry the base. Add the chopped onion and the ginger and garlic paste. Fry until the onion is soft and golden, about 5–7 minutes.
- Step 4: Add the spices and yoghurt. Lower the heat and stir in the whisked yoghurt and the rest of the Shan Achar Gosht Mix. Stir well and let the spices fry for a minute until the oil starts to separate.
- Step 5: Simmer. Add the chopped tomatoes and about 200–300 ml water. Bring to the boil, then reduce the heat, cover and simmer for 45–60 minutes, or until the meat is tender. Stir now and then and add more water if needed.
- Step 6: The finale! Once the meat is tender, carefully nestle the stuffed green chillies into the curry. Cover again and simmer for a further 5–10 minutes so the chillies soften and the flavours come together.
- Step 7: Serve. Garnish your achar gosht with fresh coriander and serve piping hot with freshly baked naan or basmati rice.
Authentic Flavour Is Just a Click Away!
Why compromise on flavour when you can bring the full Pakistani experience home? Shan Achar Gosht Mix is your shortcut to a superb curry. Its carefully balanced blend of red chilli, fennel, fenugreek, cumin and nigella seeds delivers the distinctive tangy heat that defines a real achar gosht. No need to buy and measure out a dozen different spices – it's all in one packet. Cooking made easier, more fun and, above all, tastier!
