Goan Beef Chilly Fry

Beef chilly fry is a dish that is quite common in Goan households.  The very thought of a beef chilly fry stirs up many fond memories of childhood family meals.

This meal is so simple to prepare and can be zeroed down on a pungency level by cutting down the amount of green chilly used in the dish .  Note however that the green chilly adds one of the essential flavorings in this dish.  

The beef is traditionally cut in cubes for a chilly fry, but I have cut it in strips because I find the simple flavors infuse in the thin strips more readily than the cubes. Potatoes can also be added to the dish, but I prefer to leave them out to keep the dish lower in carbohydrates.

Ingredients

300 gm beef cut in strips or small cubes
1 1/2  onions sliced
3-4 cloves garlic finely chopped
1 heaped teaspoon finely chopped fresh ginger
1 medium tomato
1-2 green chillies finely chopped ( remove seeds if you want to reduce pungency)
1 teaspoon level turmeric powder
1 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
Juice of 1/2 lime 
Note: potatoes may be added to the dish, and also fresh coriander at the end

Method

Sprinkle the salt and turmeric on the meat and mix.  Squeeze the lime juice over the meat and leave aside.

Put 1 tablespoon of oil in a pan and heat.  When the oil is hot, add the onions.

When the onions are translucent add the garlic, ginger and chilly and cook till for a few minutes until fragrant.

Add the tomato and cook till it changes color and is quite soft.

Add the meat to the mixture and stir while cooking on medium to high heat.  The liquid will evaporate as the meat cooks. Taste for salt and sourness, and adjust accordingly by adding more salt or lime juice.  Serve with rice or chapati. A chilly fry is also great swerved on fresh bread or in a wrap.