Beef curry? Some of my readers who have read and tried out my other hubs on Indian recipes-pork vindaloo,chicken curry,chicken biryani request more recipes and one that tops the list is ,....you guessed it - beef curry!  Beef is popular the world over, and most people only end up with a steak. So, here is an alternative to the usual way of preparation! Try the Indian curry version-you will not be disappointed! Yes, an Indian beef curry, flavourful and aromatic.

So, what is the secret to a good Indian curry? Aromatic spices and fresh herbs in addition to fresh beef. Did you know that lean beef is brain food for growing children?

Beef 1/2 Kg

Coconut(small) 1/2

Chilli powder 4 tsp

Cumin seeds 3 tsp

Fennel seeds 2 tsp

Onions 2 medium ones

Garlic 10 pods

Ginger 1 inch piece

Green chillies 3

Vinegar 3 tbsp

• Wash and cube beef pieces
• Grind the coconut to a fine paste.You may use dessicated coconut if readily available.
• Separately dry grind fennel and cumin seeds
• Onions, garlic, ginger and green chillies to be cut finely or if you prefer grind together with the vinegar
• Heat a pressure cooker and toss in all ingredients,salt to taste, and enough water to cover the beef and cook for 20 minutes
• When done, garnish with some freshly cut coriander and the juice of a lemon and serve hot with rice or breads.
  

• Heat about 2 -3 tbsp of vegetable oil in a pressure cooker
• Throw in some spices-2 inch piece cinnamon, 5 -6 cloves, 2 cardamoms, 4-5 pepper corns, 3-4 dried red chillies, a bay leaf
  
• Fry the chopped onions till transparent, add the ginger-garlic (either ground finely or cut finely). Fry well
• Add 2-4 chopped ripe tomatoes and continue stir frying till oil separates.
• Now add beef cubes and salt. Fry a couple of minutes
• Add water to cover the beef pieces
• Close lid and pressure cook for atleast 20 minutes. (You may choose the cooking time according to the beef you get in your supermarket)
• Open lid and let the gravy thicken and then serve hot

In this variation, we are using tomatoes to thicken gravy instead of the coconut.