Green Beef Curry

Green curry is a spicy coriander based curry that is served in Goa.  The green color comes from the fresh coriander leaves, and the masala base is commonly known as cafreal.  This was made in a slow cooker for convenience, but can easily be done on a stove top if you do not own a slow cooker.

Ingredients

1 1/2 pound of stewing beef cut in cubes.
2 potatoes skinned and cubed (optional)
1/2 onion diced
2  tomatoes cubed

For the masala
3 green chilies with seeds ( adjust according to taste)
1 bunch of fresh coriander ( about 3 cups )
2 inches of fresh ginger minced
6-7 cloves of fresh garlic minced
1/2 onion chopped
1 tablespoon of kuskus
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoonful geera
2 tablespoons full of desiccated coconut
juice of 2 fresh limes or 3 tablespoons white vinegar ( keeps the color nice and green if used instead of tamarind)

Method

Put the beef in the slow cooker pan and add 1 teaspoon of salt and mix well. Leave aside.

Take all the masala ingredients and add to a blender with a quarter cup of water.  Blend till smooth. Keep aside.

Put the onions and the tomatoes in a microwave safe dish. Lightly salt and pepper.

Cook on high power for 5-10 minutes until the tomatoes are soft and have changed colour.  The onion will also be translucent.

Put the tomatoes/onions mix into the slow cooker with the meat. Stir to mix.

Add the green masala to the cooker and mix again.  Put the slow cooker on low for 2 -3 hours.  Check after 1 hour if more water is needed, and add about quarter to half cup if needed.  The  gravy should be thick and not watery.

If using potatoes. Put the potatoes in a microwave safe dish and add 2 teaspoons of water. Cook on high for 5 minutes and check to see that the potatoes are cooked through. Add the cooked potatoes in the last 1/2 hour of cooking.
 Note that potatoes will not cook in an acidic medium like this curry so you have to add them already cooked and towards the end.

Check if more salt is needed and adjust accordingly.  Serve with rice or crusty bread.