West Indian Spicy Beef Curry

Chef #573036's Note:

From Food and Drink Magazine Autumn 2006. An unusual curry for the curry aficionado. West Indian Curry is slightly different-the mix of spices is a little sweeter with more cinnamon, anise and turmeric in it and there is no chili. You can add the lethally hot Scotch bonnet chilies into this or use hot sauce to spike it up afterwards. You can purchase West Indian curry powder, if desired. You can also turn this into an Indian curry by using Indian curry powder or paste. This is an interesting method to make this dish. You actually just reheat the meat in the curry mixture when needed, making it perfect for elegant entertaining. West Indian sweet potato is called boniato and it is drier than our sweet potatoes. If it is not available, use sweet potato.

• Total Time: 55 mins
• Prep Time: 20 mins
• Cook Time: 35 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 6

curry mixture

• 2 tablespoons coriander seeds
• 1 1/2 teaspoons anise or 1 1/2 teaspoons fennel seeds
• 1/2 teaspoon black mustard seeds (optional)
• 1/2 teaspoon cumin seed
• 1/2 teaspoon jamaican allspice
• 1 teaspoon turmeric
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

meat and vegetables

• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 2 lbs beef sirloin (5-cm) or 2 lbs tenderloin, cut into 2-inch (5-cm)
• salt
• 1 cup chopped onion
• 1/2 red pepper, diced
• 1/2 yellow pepper, diced
• 1 small white west indian sweet potato, peeled, cut into 1-inch (2.5-cm)
• 1 cup chopped tomatoes, fresh or 1 cup canned tomato
• 2 cups beef stock or 2 cups chicken stock
• 2 tablespoons lime juice
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh coriander

Directions:

1. Place coriander, anise or fennel, black mustard seeds, cumin seeds and Jamaican allspice in a dry skillet over medium heat. Stir seeds together until mixture smells fragrant. Remove from heat and grind in a spice grinder. Stir in turmeric and cinnamon.
2. Dredge meat with 1 tbsp (15 mL) curry mixture, reserving remainder. Season with salt.
3. Heat oil in a sauté pan or deep skillet over high heat. Add meat in batches and sear until well browned on all sides, about 4 minutes. Remove from skillet and reserve. The meat should be rare.
4. Add more oil to skillet, if needed, reduce heat to medium and add onion, red and yellow peppers, sweet potato and 1 tbsp (15 mL) spice mixture (there may be some left over). Sauté until onions are softened. Add tomatoes and stock. Bring to boil, reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes or until sauce is thickened and sweet potato is cooked. Stir in lime juice.
5. When ready to serve, reheat sauce and add meat. Simmer together for 5 to 8 minutes or until meat is hot and a little more cooked. Sprinkle with coriander just before serving.