Saturday, February 23, 2013

Beef Pickle/Irachi Achar/ഇറച്ചി അച്ചാര്‍

Ingredients:
 Beef-1 lb
Set1:
Red chilly powder-1tsp
Coriander powder-1/2 tsp
Turmeric powder-1/4 tsp
Fennel powder (പെരുംജീരകം)-1/2 tsp(optional)
vinegar-1 tsp
Meat masala-1/2 tsp
set 2:
Mustard seeds-1/2 tsp
Fenugreek seeds (ഉലുവാ) -1/2 tsp
Curry leaves-a handful  
set 3:
Ginger-2 tsp,minced
Garlic-2 tsp, minced
Green chilly- 3, sliced
Dry red chilly-3(optional)
set 4:

Red chilly powder-1 tsp
Garam masala-1/2 tsp

Black pepper powder-1/4 tsp
Vinegar-2-3 tbsp
Asafoetida (കായം)-1 small pinch
   
Oil for frying (gingelly oil preferred), or any veg oil
Method:
Clean and drain beef. Cut into very small pieces.
Rub the ingredients enlisted under set1 on beef. Cover and leave it in refrigerator for at least 1 hour.
Transfer the beef into a pan and cook it covered for 10-15 min (No need to add water). Open the lid and drain the excess water. Once it is half cooked, (if you see the gravy/ masala powder is sticking on the pan, add 1 tbsp of vinegar and try to dissolve all the gravy-we will use this at the end of the preparation) take out the beef pieces and fry them in oil until both sides are reddish brown. Keep it aside.
Add oil in a pan and splutter mustard seeds followed by fenugreek seeds and curry leaves. Stir in set 3 ingredients and saute until ginger/garlic is light brown. Add set 4 masala powders and stir for 2-3 min. Pour in  2 tbsp vinegar and the gravy dissolved in vinegar. Bring it to boil and turn off the flame. Add fried beef pieces, check for salt, add a small pinch of asafoetida and mix everything well.
 Transfer into a air-tight jar, the pickle will be ready to use within 1 week.

Thursday, February 14, 2013

Beef Curry


Ingredients:  
        to marinate beef:
Beef -2 lb
Ginger-1/2 ", finely chopped
Garlic-3-4, finely chopped
Green chillies-3-4, sliced lengthwise
Kashmiri Chilly powder-2 tsp
Coriander powder-2 tsp
Meat masala/ Garam masala-1 tsp
Pepper powder-1/2 tsp
Turmeric powder-1/2 tsp
Vinegar-1 tsp
Salt 
     to pressure cook beef:
Curry leaves- a handful
Onion-1 thinly sliced
Coconut slices-a handful (optional)
       to make curry: 
Onion-1, thinly sliced 
Tomato-2,finely chopped 
Oil 
Mustard seeds-1/2 tsp
Chilly powder-1 tsp
Whole garam masala: (cardamom-3, cloves-3, cinnamon stick-1")-slightly crushed
Cilantro- to garnish
Method:
Cut the cleaned beef into 1" pieces. Marinate with the ingredients enlisted for ~1 hr. Add onion, curry leaves and pressure cook in medium heat until it is done. (Take care not to overcook beef, no need to add water, usually there would be enough liquid once it is done pressure cooking)
Heat oil in a large pan and splutter mustard seeds. Add whole garam masala followed by onions, saute until the  onions are transparent. Add chilly powder and saute for 10min, stir in tomatoes and nicely cook until it becomes a nice paste. Pour in cooked beef+liquid from pressure cooker and cook open in medium/simmer  heat until the gravy becomes thick and dark brown. 
Garnish with cilantro and serve hot with rice, chapathi or porotta.