Skip to main content

Baked Beef Curry

Beef is eaten by Muslims throughout India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh and is often referred to as bara gosht, or “big meat.” It is sometimes “baked” using an ancient top-of-the-stove method known as dum. A tightly closed pot with the meat inside (or it could be rice and meat) is placed over low embers and more charcoal is placed on top of the flat lid. With heat coming from the top and the bottom, a slow baking ensues. When the pot is opened, the aromas permeate the room to great cries of appreciation. I find that an oven can, very conveniently, do a dum with similar results. Serve with rice or Indian breads. Black Beans are also good on the side along with vegetables and relishes for an elegant meal.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    serves 4¿6

Ingredients

6 tablespoons olive or canola oil
6 cardamom pods
Two 2-inch cinnamon sticks
2 pounds stewing beef, cut into 1 1/2-inch pieces
1 teaspoon whole cumin seeds
2 cups (8 ounces) chopped onions
1 1/4 cups yogurt (whole-milk or low-fat), lightly beaten
2 tablespoons ground coriander
2 teaspoons finely grated peeled fresh ginger, or 1 teaspoon powdered ginger
1/4–1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 1/2 teaspoons salt, or to taste

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Preheat oven to 350°F.

    Step 2

    Pour the oil into a large, wide, ovenproof pan and set over medium-high heat. When hot, put in the cardamom and cinnamon. Stir once, and put in only as much of the meat as will brown easily. Brown on all sides and remove to a bowl with a slotted spoon. Brown the remaining meat this way. Add the cumin seeds and onions to the oil in the pan and fry until the onion pieces have just begun to turn brown. Turn off the heat.

    Step 3

    Return the meat and all accumulated juices to the pan as well as all the remaining ingredients. Stir to mix, and bring to a simmer. Cover, first with foil, crimping the edges, and then with the lid, and place in the oven. Bake for 1 1/2 hours or until the meat is tender.

Image may contain: Human, Person, Madhur Jaffrey, and Plant
Excerpted from At Home with Madhur Jaffrey: Simple, Delectable Dishes from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka by Madhur Jaffrey. Copyright © 2010 by Random House. Excerpted by permission of Alfred A. Knopf, a division of Random House LLC. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher. Buy the full book from Amazon.
Read More
Khao niaow ma muang, or steamed coconut sticky rice with ripe mango, is a classic in Thai cuisine—and you can make it at home.
With just a handful of ingredients, this old-fashioned egg custard is the little black dress of dinner party desserts—simple and effortlessly chic.
With rich chocolate flavor and easy customization, this hot cocoa recipe is just the one you want to get you through winter.
This classic 15-minute sauce is your secret weapon for homemade mac and cheese, chowder, lasagna, and more.
Crunchy and crowd-pleasing, this salad can be prepared in advance and customized to your heart’s content.
Baking meatballs and green beans on two sides of the same sheet pan streamlines the cooking process for this saucy, savory dinner.
Make this versatile caramel at home with our slow-simmered method using milk and sugar—or take one of two sweetened condensed milk shortcuts.
A garlicky pistachio topping takes this sunny summer pasta from good to great.