Beyond Curry
20121212-beef-and-bacon-gravy.jpg

[Photograph: Prasanna Sankhe]

About the author: Denise Dsilva Sankhe is a writer & creative director by profession. But that's only when she isn't eating her way across India. She recreates this delicious cuisine in her Mumbai home, which she shares with her husband, who has long since given up his determination to have salads for dinner.

Every recipe we publish is tested, tasted, and Serious Eats-approved by our staff. Never miss a recipe again by following @SeriousRecipes on Twitter!

About This Recipe

Yield: Serves 3
Active time: prep 1 hour 20 minutes, cooking 30 minutes
Total time: 1 hour 50 minutes
Special equipment: Pressure cooker, heavy bottomed lidded pan
This recipe appears in: Beyond Curry: Manglorean Beef and Bacon Gravy

Ingredients

  • 1 pound beef chuck cut into 1 1/2-inch cubes
  • 2 tablespoon ginger paste
  • 2 tablespoon garlic paste
  • 1 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
  • 1 tablespoon white vinegar
  • Kosher salt
  • 3 tablespoons vegetable oil (divided)
  • 3 cloves
  • 1 inch cinnamon stick
  • 1 cup water
  • 2 large onions cubed (about 3 cups)
  • 3 small green chillies (such as Thai bird) slit lengthwise
  • 1 tablespoon red chilli powder
  • ¼ teaspoon turmeric powder
  • ½ pound bacon, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 cup tomato puree
  • 1/2 cup water

Procedures

  1. Combine meat, ginger paste, garlic paste, pepper, vinegar, and 2 teaspoons salt.

  2. Heat 1 1/2 tablespoons oil in pressure cooker on medium high heat until shimmering. Add cloves and cinnamon and stir until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the marinated beef and cook, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned, about 5 minutes Add 1 cup water and close pressure cooker. Cook over high pressure for 45 minutes, then release pressure and allow steam to escape. Transfer beef and juices to a large bowl.

  3. Wipe out pressure cooker, add remaining oil, and return to medium-high heat until shimmering. Add onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned, about 10 minutes. Add green chillis and stir until fragrant-about 2 minutes. Add red chilli and turmeric powder and stir vigorously, so as not to burn the spices and cook for 1 minute. If they tend to stick or discolor add a few drops of water. Add the bacon and stir until the bacon begins to render, about 5 minutes. Add the tomato puree and cook, stirring, until the oil is fragrant and separates from the mixture, about 5 minutes. Add water, bring to a simmer, and cook for 10 minutes. Return the beef and its juices to the pot and allow the whole dish to cook for another 15 minutes. Season to taste with salt if necessary, and serve with bread or rice.