Interpretation of the Gushtaba Recipe:

Ingredients:

For the meatballs:

 2 pounds ground lamb or goat (Alternatively, you can use chicken, turkey, or a lean cut of meat, in which case add 1 tbsp of ghee or oil)

2 black cardamom pods (Extract the seeds and crush them before adding)

1/4 teaspoon crushed black pepper

 1 teaspoon salt (Adjust to taste)

2 teaspoons mustard oil or ghee

For the curry:

 1 tablespoon ghee or mustard oil

 1-inch cinnamon stick

 1 black cardamom pod

5 cloves

1 pinch of hing (asafetida)

2 teaspoons fennel powder

 1/2 teaspoon ginger powder

1 tablespoon garlic powder

3 crushed green cardamom pods

1 tablespoon coriander powder

1 teaspoon salt (Adjust to taste)

1 cup plain yogurt

1/2 teaspoon shahi jeera (cumin)

1 teaspoon dried mint, crushed

 1/2 cup milk

 2-3 cups water

Method:

1. Prepare the meatballs: In a mixing bowl, combine the ground lamb or goat with crushed black cardamom seeds, crushed black pepper, salt, and mustard oil or ghee. Use your hands or a stand mixer with a paddle attachment to blend the spices and fat into the meat. Splash a little oil onto your palms and shape the mixture into golf ball-sized meatballs. Set them aside.

2. Prepare the gravy: Heat ghee or mustard oil in a heavy-bottomed pan over medium heat. Add the hing, black cardamom pod, cloves, and cinnamon stick. water and bring it to a simmer.

3. Add the remaining spice powders (fennel powder, ginger powder, crushed green cardamom pods, garlic powder, and coriander powder) along with salt to the simmering water. Stir in the whipped yogurt followed by the milk. Continue stirring as the mixture comes to a simmer.

4. Gently lower the meatballs into the gravy. Cook the meatballs on medium heat for approximately 30 minutes or until they are fully cooked and tender.

5. In a separate pan, warm up ghee and add the shahi jeera (cumin) seeds. Wait for the cumin seeds to splutter and then add this tempering to the gravy. Remove the pan from heat, garnish with crushed dried mint, and serve the Gushtaba warm with basmati rice.

Feel free to adjust the recipe according to your taste preferences and enjoy the flavorful meatballs cooked in the luscious yogurt gravy!