Simplest Kerala beef fry

A very simple, Kerala restaurant take-away style of beef fry. It goes perfectly with warm Malabar parothas.

Serves 4
Preparation and cooking time : 45 minutes to 1 hour

Ingredients

1. Beef (trimmed and diced) - 250 gms
2. Salt to taste
3. Turmeric powder - 1/4 teaspoon
4. Onions or shallots chopped  - 1/2 cup
5. Ginger chopped very fine - 1 teaspoon
6. Garlic chopped very fine - 1 teaspoon
7. Coconut slivers chopped - 1 tablespoon
8. Coriander powder - 1/2 teaspoon
9. Chilli powder - 1/2 teaspoon
10. Black pepper powder - 1/2 teaspoon (optional)
11. Curry leaves - 1 sprig
12. Garam masala* - 1/4 teaspoon
13. Oil - 2 tablespoons

Method

1. Wash the beef very well, drain and put in a pressure cooker with some salt and the turmeric powder. Do not add any water. Pressure cook for about 30 minutes or till soft. After opening the cooker, boil off all the remaining water.
2. Heat a wok and add oil. When the oil is hot, add coconut slivers, ginger, garlic, onions and curry leaves. Saute till the onions and coconut turn golden.
3. Add the coriander powder and the chilli powder. Saute for a minute and add the cooked beef. Stir. Check seasoning.
4. Stir and cook till all the pieces are well-coated and dry.
5. Add the garam masala, black pepper(optional) and stir well. Cover the wok and keep the flame on low. After 3 minutes, open and stir again.
6. Serve hot with malabar parothas or "roti"s or rice.

Tips

Beef releases a lot of water while cooking, so I prefer not add any water before cooking.
*To make garam masala: 1 1/2 tablespoons of black peppercorns, 1 tablespoon of green cardamoms, 1 1/2 tablespoons of fennel, 1 tablespoon of broken cinnamon pieces, 1/2 tablespoon of cloves and 3 whole star anise have to be toasted gently for 2 minutes. Cool to room temperature and grind to a fine powder. This garam masala powder may be stored in a bottle in the refrigerator for use.

I like to do step 1 and have a batch of boiled beef ready to be sauteed, in the refrigerator.