Mulligatawny is an Indian dish that became popular among the British during their occupation of India. The name comes from Tamil and means pepper water. Modern versions often omit chiles, and vegetarian versions use lentil and vegetable broth. It can be served with pita bread, naan, cornbread, or French bread.
Mulligatawny stew or soup is a dish of Indian origin that once included cream, peppers, lamb, coconut milk, vegetables, and curries. It became popular among the British during the British occupation of India. The recipes for mulligatawny were quickly carried over to England, where it remains a popular dish, although it has undergone many changes.
The name mulligatawny comes from Tamil, a South Indian language. Mulligatawny translates to pepper water or pepper soup. Modern versions of mulligatawny actually often omit the chiles, allowing the curry to provide the heat for the dish.
Mulligatatown soup or stew is often confused with Mulligan’s stew, thought to be a version of Irish stew that includes beef and potatoes. Mulligatawn stew tends to be more like soup than stew, although the vegetables and meat simmer and cook in the cooking process.
An early 19th-century recipe shows how much mulligatawn has changed since it was first brought to England. It requires boiling a chicken, adding onions, ground pepper and curry. The whole chicken is removed, diced and fried, then added back to the broth.
A modern recipe might include tomatoes, diced chicken, chicken broth, green peppers, curry, cream, butter and milk, as well as salt and pepper. Neither version is similar to the original version of the stew or soup. While chicken could be used, lamb was also a viable and often chosen alternative. Also, very often coconut milk would have been used which would have provided a more “oriental” flavor to the dish.
Whether it’s old or new, mulligatawny soup or stew makes for excellent comfort food. It can be served with warmed pita bread or naan for a more traditional flavour. Alternatively, mulligatawny could be served with cornbread, which goes well with curry or crusty French bread.
Vegetarian versions of mulligatawny might use lentil and vegetable broth in place of chicken and beef broth. Because of the spices, the recipe calls for almost no meat to deliver a tasty meal. Vegans can use coconut milk and omit the added cream in the recipe. Traditionally, rice may be added to mulligatawny, but some recipes call for potatoes instead. Or it’s acceptable and will make a delicious meal.
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