Curry Beef and Roti

Curry Beef

Curry..Our East Indian foods have become part of our culinary landscape with our own blended local curries being just as readily available to us as salt and pepper are on our supermarket shelves. Curry is big business in this country, just check out the variety and types available to us. Different names dictate the different flavours that are locked within those cellophane packs. So, not all the curries on the market are the same. Curry powders are made up of the same ingredients but in different proportions. Most curry powders you see will include coriander seed, fenugreek seed, fennel seed, curry leaf, mustard seed, cumin seed, and turmeric and pepper. If the curry seems very yellow that is an indication there is a large quantity of turmeric powder. The greener the curry the smaller the amount of turmeric and the stronger and hotter the flavour. Vindaloo or bindaloo curries tend to be hotter than most. You can choose your curry depending on the food you are going to cook. For example for duck, goat, lamb or beef you can use a greener or stronger curry. This often combines well with the stronger tasting meats. If on the other hand you are currying fish or vegetables then use a milder curry so as not to overpower your flavours. Curries are relatively inexpensive so experiment and see which flavours and or brands you prefer. (edited from Guardian Newspaper 11.22.2002)

Curry-Beef

Ingredients:
2 lbs. beef
4 tablespoons cooking oil
2 cloves garlic
2 tablespoons finely chopped chives (green onions)
1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh ginger root (optional)
2 cups water
2 onions
2 tablespoons curry powder
1 teaspoon black pepper

salt to taste
Method:
Cut meat into small pieces. Chop fine onions, garlic, chive, ginger. Heat oil in pan, add curry powder and seasonings and cook for about 3 minutes. Add the meat, black pepper and brown in savoury fat. Add water to cover meat and cook until meat is tender. Cooking too rapidly will toughen meat and boil away curry sauce. Serves 4 to 5. Side dishes of rice, boiled bananas, chopped cucumber could be served with meat, or just eat it with your favourite roti (dhalpourie, buss-up-shut etc..). Other meats such as chicken, lamb, goat can be substituted.