Beef Piralan

Ingredients (Serves 5 – 6)

1. Beef – 3/4 kg, cubed

2. Coconut oil – 2 – 3 tbsp

Ginger – 1 – 1.5 tbsp, crushed

Garlic – 6 – 8, chopped or crushed

Onion – 2 cups, thinly sliced

Shallots – 15, sliced

Dried red chilies – 2

Thenga kothu / coconut tidbits – 1/2 cup

Curry leaves – 1 sprig

3. Turmeric powder – 1/2 tsp

Coriander powder – 1 tbsp

Chilly powder – 2 tsp

Kashmiri chilly powder – 1 tsp

Pepper powder – 1/4 tsp

4. Tomato – 2 small, chopped

5. Garam masala powder – 1 + 1/2 tsp

6. Hot water – 1/2 cup

7. Coconut oil – 1 – 2 tsp

Grated coconut –3/4 – 1 cup

8. Salt – To taste

Method

1. Heat 1 – 2 tsp coconut oil over medium heat and add grated coconut. Fry until it tiurns browned. Set aside to cool. Grind to a very paste adding 1 – 2 tsp oil / water.

 

2. Heat 2 – 3 tbsp coconut oil over medium-high heat. Add all the ingredients numbered 2 and little salt. Saute for 10 – 15 minutes until golden brown. Add spice powders numbered 3.

Cook over low heat until their raw smell completely disappears. Add chopped tomatoes and continue to saute until oil separates. Add 1 tsp garam masala powder and mix well.  Taste-check for salt. Add beef pieces and mix well. Cook for a few minutes. Add 1/2 cup hot water and cook covered for 45 minutes or so until beef pieces are completely done (you can transfer it to a pressure cooker and cook for 3 – 4 whistles). Open the cooker after 10 – 15 minutes. Add ground coconut paste. Mix well and cook for 4 – 6 minutes until the beef pieces are well-coated with the masala. Switch off. Serve with appam / idiyappam / chapathis.