Aminia Special Curry; the recipe unveiled on Aminia's 90 years in Kolkata!

Aminia Special Curry is one of the longest-served dishes in Aminia. The first-generation owner cooked it thinking in mind the Britishers who used to visit this place. This curry is a blend of Mughlai flavor with a subtle taste to match the taste buds of people who want to savor Mughlai food yet do not like something over the top! This dish is still available and popular.

Jump to:

• Aminia Special Curry and Aminia's glorious journey of 90 years!
• My Aminia experiences (s)!
• Now in 2019 when Aminia completed their 90 years!
• Here's the recipe for Aminia Special Curry directly from the Kitchen of Aminia!
• Recipe Card
• Recipes of Restaurant-style delicacies from Debjanir Rannaghar!
• Pairing Aminia Special Mutton Curry
• Have you tried the Aminia Special Curry recipe from Debjanir Rannaghar!
• Here's the Aminia Special Curry Recipe Pin for your Pinterest Board!

Aminia turned 90 this year and that for sure is special. When I was requested to write about 90 years of Aminia in Kolkata, I for sure, was in dilemma. A Mughlai eatery completing 90 long and successful years in a city like Kolkata is not a matter of joke after all. Needless to say, I was confused; what aspect to select for this write-up? Whether to write about Aminia's glory; or to talk about Aminia's famous Biryani; whether to pick something completely different! Well, I opted for the last option and decided to write about the Aminia Special Curry, a dish synonymous with Aminia and its presence in Kolkata.

Aminia Special Curry and Aminia's glorious journey of 90 years!

The dish came into existence back in 1929. When the first outlet of Aminia was opened at Zakaria Street by the late Abdul Rahim. The business was then managed by the late Abdul Qayum and Mohammed Amin, sons of Abdul Rahim. They opened the famous "New Market" branch of Aminia on the 15th of August, 1947! Both Zakaria Street and Hogg Market Aminia were Britisher's favorites those days. They used to savor the Awadhi flavors customized to their preference. It was then late Abdul Rahim came up with a stew with Indianized flavors. It had meat, veggies, and egg and it was light. Needless to say, this dish was a hit amongst the Britishers. He named it Aminia Special and the rest is history!  Aminia at this moment is run by the third and fourth generations of the late Abdul Rahim. As of now, they have eight outlets in Kolkata.

My Aminia experiences (s)!

Growing up in Central Kolkata, I was quite regular in the eateries near the central part of the city of joy. I mostly was accompanied by ( or I used to accompany him) my father. Going to New Market for "Pujor Bajar" was almost incomplete without 2 Tandoori Roti along with a plate full of heavenly gravy accompanied by 2 soft chunks of mutton, two slices of carrot, one whole potato; one whole tomato; one whole onion; and also a boiled egg. All cooked in the gravy; loaded with flavors. The specialty of the gravy was the light flavors; the aroma of the spices and the not-so-Mughlai aftertaste! Yes, you read it right. If you have had the Aminia Special; you will understand why I am saying not-so-Mughlai.

I never shared it with Baba! It was not something to be shared with. Dipping the bread in the gravy and then having the soggy Ruti was an altogether different experience. The onion; tomato and potato and even the carrot were never left. My favorite has always been perfectly cooked onion! Have I missed the mutton and Egg? Well, this curry is about all the ingredients but only mutton and egg and I believe that is why the name Aminia Special!

Now in 2019 when Aminia completed their 90 years!

I was rather adamant about witnessing the process of making Aminia Special at Aminia! To be very frank, I did not want to go for a blogger's table. I wanted to re-visit the experience of having Aminia Special even when they have several delicacies available that are equally popular.

It was quite an experience to visit their kitchen; to talk to their executive chef Mr. Sarafat Ali and to cook along with him in their kitchen. I talked to him as well as their operations Manager Mr. Feroz for a long and found some interesting details.

• In Aminia, they do not use an electric grinder to make the spice mixes. In fact, the owner's family is involved in making the spice mixes which are their family secrets.
• They have their central kitchen where all the items are prepared following strict recipes monitored by the owners.
• They give special emphasis to the quality of the ingredients used.
• These days they have reduced using the oil/ ghee and also spices without hampering the flavors to promote a healthy lifestyle.
• Last but not least, I was told, they would be sharing the closest possible recipe but some secret was kept as it is. This I found absolutely right on their part; some secrets are better to be kept as a secret!

Here's the recipe for Aminia Special Curry directly from the Kitchen of Aminia!

Recipe Card

 

Recipes of Restaurant-style delicacies from Debjanir Rannaghar!

• Kolkata Style Mutton Rezala (Also known as Ghosht Rezala)
• Barishali Ilish (Also known as Ilish Barishali)
• Kolkata's Mutton Tikia (Also known as Kolkata street style Tikia)
• Restaurant Style Chicken Malai Kebab (Also known as Chicken Reshmi Kebab or Murg Malai Kebab)
• Chicken Chaap (Also known as Kolkata style Chaap)
• Dak Bungalow Chicken Curry (also known as Chicken Dak Bungalow)
• Kolkata Style Chilli Fish (Also known as Restaurant-style Chilli fish)
• Barishali Ilish (Also known as Ilish Barishali)
• Kamala Bhog (Also known as Kamalabhog)
• Hyderabadi Haleem (Also known as Mutton Haleem)
• Kolkata Mutton Biryani (Also known as Calcutta Biryani)
• Restaurant-style Paneer Makhanwala (Also known as Butter Paneer)
• Restaurant Style Navratan Korma (Also known as Navaratan Korma or Navratna Korma)
• Kolkata style Chicken Bharta (Also known as restaurant-style Murgh Bharta)
• Motichur Ladoo (Also known as Sweet Shop style Motichur Laddu)
• Kosha Mangsho (Also known as Bengali Mutton Kasha)
• Gobi 65 or Cauliflower 65 (Also known as Restaurant-style Gobi 65)

Pairing Aminia Special Mutton Curry

Apart from regular Tandoori Roti, you can pair this mutton curry with

Have you tried the Aminia Special Curry recipe from Debjanir Rannaghar!

Please inform me of your experience and feel free to send a photo to [email protected]. Additionally, you can find me on various social media platforms such as Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, Pinterest, Google News, X, and Thread. Don't forget to use the hashtag #debjanirrannaghar when sharing your attempts at my recipes or if you have any questions or recipe requests.

Here's the Aminia Special Curry Recipe Pin for your Pinterest Board!