If you haven’t tried madras beef curry yet, now is the time. It’s a classic Indian dish full of rich flavours.

SERVES 4 // PREP TIME 20 min // COOK TIME 3 hours 

INGREDIENTS

For the curry

Flour 3 tbsp 

Chuck steak, cut into 2.5 cm cubes 1 kg 

Oil 2 tbsp 

Onion, roughly chopped 1 

Chilli powder 1 tsp 

Ground turmeric 1 tsp 

Ground cumin 1 tbsp 

Ground coriander 1 tbsp 

Garam masala 2 tsp 

Chilli, finely chopped 1 red 

Tomato paste 3 tbsp 

Garlic cloves, chopped 2 

Piece fresh ginger, finely chopped 4 cm 

Lemon juice 1 tbsp 

Bay leaf 1 

Curry leaves 3 

Beef stock 3 cups 

Coriander, chopped ¼ cup 

For the raita

Double-cream yoghurt 1 cup 

Lime juice 1 tbsp 

Finely diced cucumber ½ cup 

Chopped coriander, plus a few extra sprigs 1 tbsp 

Spring onion, finely sliced ½ 

Ground cumin ½ tsp 

Garam masala ½ tsp 

METHOD

For the curry

1. Add the flour and beef to a ziplock bag, then shake to mix.

2. Add the oil to a pot over high heat. Fry the beef in batches until browned, about 3 minutes. Remove beef and set aside.

3. Lower the heat, add the onion and cook until soft, about 5 minutes. 

4. Combine the chilli powder, turmeric, cumin, coriander, garam masala, chilli and tomato paste in a small bowl.

5. Add the tomato paste to the pot and stir for 30 seconds until fragrant. Add the garlic, ginger and browned beef to the pot and stir to coat the beef well. Cook for 2 minutes and season well with salt and pepper.

6. Add the lemon juice, bay- and curry leaves, along with the stock. Bring to a boil, stir to remove the seasoning from the bottom of the pot, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Cover and cook for 2.5 hours until the meat is tender. Remove the lid and continue to cook for 15 more minutes to reduce the sauce.

For the raita

1. Combine the yoghurt, lime juice, cucumber, coriander, spring onion and cumin in a bowl. Sprinkle with the garam masala and top with a few sprigs of coriander.

To serve 

1. Garnish the madras curry with coriander and serve with the raita on the side. Serve with rice or rotis, if desired.

 

Recipes & styling: Sjaan van der Ploeg
Styling assistant: Jezza-Rae Larsen, Kirsty Buchanan
Photography: Chanelle Naudt/hmimages.co.za

These 2 delicious curries, lentil dhal and coconut fish are perfect for those cold winter evenings. PS for extra flavour, make them the day before!