Salt and Spice

Hello Friends, sorry for the long delay in posting something!  I had a busy two months holidays in Bangalore and I am going back to Singapore this week.  So thought of posting one of my favorite dishes before leaving… Hope you will like it!  

‘Kappa and Beef Curry’ is a  Kerala Christian specialty in Kochi, where I come from.  Firstly, Kappa or Tapioca is steamed over the Beef while it is being cooked.  The Kappa which is steamed with Beef tastes awesome and can be eaten as a snack.  The cooked Beef and Kappa are then made into a curry which can be served along with steamed rice, bread, rotis, dosas…you name it!

 

Ingredients

Beef cubes - 1 kg

Tapioca - 1 kg

Giinger - 1″ chopped

Green chillies - 5 slit

Turmeric powder - 1/4 tsp

Salt - to taste

Cardamom - 3

Cinnamon - 2″ piece

Cloves - 4

Onions - 2 sliced

Ginger garlic paste - 1 1/2 tsp

Curry leaves - 2 sprigs

Tomatoes - 3 (medium) chopped

Coriander powder - 2 tbsp

Chilli powder - 2 tsp

Turmeric powder - 1/2 tsp

Pepper powder - 1 tsp

Perumjeerakam/Fennel powder - 1/4 tsp

Oil - 2 tbsp

 

Method

Put the Beef, ginger, green chillies and salt into a pressure cooker.  Add enough water to  cover the Beef.  Peel and cut the tapioca into big chunks.  Wash them well and apply a little salt and turmeric.  Place them over the Beef in the pressure cooker.  Close the lid and cook till the Beef is well cooked.  Open the lid when it is cool and take out the tapioca pieces carefully.  Serve them as a snack.  Cut the left over tapioca into small pieces and keep aside.

In a non-stick pan, heat oil and add the whole spices.  Then add the onions and curry leaves.  Fry till golden brown in colour.  Add the ginger garlic paste and fry for few seconds.  Now add the tomatoes and fry on a medium flame.  Add all the powders and fry till the oil separates.  Add the cooked Beef along with the left over water.  Also add the tapioca pieces and a cup of water.  Add more salt if needed and mix well.  Close the lid and simmer for about 15 minutes till the gravy is thick.  Serve hot!