Paya is a dish made with trotters (the feet of cows, goats, or sheep) cooked slowly to create a rich, flavorful broth. It’s a popular dish in South Asian and Middle Eastern cuisines, where it’s often enjoyed as a hearty and nourishing meal, especially during colder months. The trotters are simmered with spices and sometimes other ingredients like onions, garlic, and ginger until the meat is tender and the broth is thick and gelatinous. Paya is typically served with naan or rice and is known for its rich flavor and satisfying texture.

Goat legs and feet, a delicacy for many are cooked in a delicious broth. Because of the tendons and connectivity tissue it turns the gravy into a rich velvety texture.

Goat legs and feet, a delicacy for many are cooked in a delicious broth. Because of the tendons and connectivity tissue it turns the gravy into a rich velvety texture. This recipe is an Instant Pot recipe.

Paya or trotters

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Ingredients
  

Onion Paste

  • 1/3 Cup Fried Onions
  • 1/3 Cup Tbsp Curd
  • And keep it aside

Tadka/Garnish

  • 2 tbsps julienne of Ginger
  • 5 green Chillies

Red Gravy

  • Heat Oil 3-4 Tbsp Oil
  • 2 black Cardamoms
  • 3 Cloves
  • 2 Green Cardamoms
  • 1 Cinnamon
  • 1 Tsp Ginger Garlic Paste
  • 2 Tsp Red Chilli Powder
  • 2 cups Water

Paya Gravy

  • 2 cups Onion
  • 10-12 Black Peppercorns
  • 1 Tsp Cumin seeds
  • 1 Tsp Ginger Garlic Paste
  • 1 Tbsp Coriander Powder
  • 1 Tsp Cumin powder
  • ¼ Tsp Turmeric Powder
  • 2 tbsps Oil
  • ½ Tsp Salt
  • 2 cups Water
  • 1 tbsp crushed Fennel seeds
  • 1 tbsp Ginger powder
  • 1/2 tbsp Garam Masala

Instructions
 

  • Because I am using one pot in this recipe, I’m going to work on all components the way it makes the best sense
  • Add the Onion and Yogurt together and blend and keep aside
  • Add Oil to the Instant Pot or pressure cooker on saute mode and first saute the tadka or garnish ingredients and keep aside
  • Add Oil to the pot and add the black Cardamoms, Cloves, green Cardamoms, Cinnamon, Ginger & Garlic paste, Red Chilli powder and Water
  • Bring it to the boil, and add the Onion and Yogurt paste
  • Remove this and keep aside
  • Back in the pot add the Paya or Trotters, Onion, Peppercorns, Cumin seeds, Ginger & Garlic paste, Coriander, Cumin & Turmeric powder Oil, Salt and Water, close the lid and set the pot to pressure cooker mode for 20 – 25 mins or 2-3 whistles if using a stove top pressure cooker
  • Once done, open the lid and add the red gravy and cook this on saute mode for 10 mins
  • Add the Fennel, Ginger & Garam Masala powder
  • Add in about half the garnish and reserve the other half for when you serve the dish