Christmas special beef roast (beef ularthiyathu)

Hi friends, Happy Christmas!

Here is my Xmas gift for you: the very special beef roast (beef ularthiyathu). 

Ingredients

Beef (cubed), ½ kg
Water, 1 cup
Crushed pepper, 1 ½ tsp
Ginger (finely chopped), 1 ½ tbs
Chilli powder, 1 tsp
Turmeric powder, ½ tsp
Coconut oil, 5 tbs 
Mustard seeds, ½ tsp
Coconut (1-inch pieces), ¼ cup
Onion (chopped), 200 g or 2 nos.
Green chili (slit), 2 nos.
Curry leaves, a few
Garlic (finely chopped), 12 nos.
Garam masala (preferably homemade), 1 tsp
Fennel powder, 1 tsp
Coriander powder, 1 tsp
Tomato (finely chopped), 1 no.
Lemon juice, from ½ a lemon
Coriander leaves (finely chopped), a few
[Optional] Red wine, 3 tbs
Salt, to taste

Preparation:

• In a dish, place water with a little vinegar and salt. Wash the beef cubes in this and drain for 5 minutes. Cook the meat in a pressure cooker with water, ½ tsp pepper, ½ tbs ginger, 1 tsp chili powder, turmeric and salt over a medium flame until 2-3 whistles blow. Set aside until the pressure releases.
• Heat oil in an iron/frying pan and add mustard seeds. 
• Once it pops, add coconut pieces and saute for a few seconds. 
• Add onion, green chili, curry leaves, ginger and garlic (in that order) and saute until the onion lightly browns on a medium flame. 
• Add 1 tsp pepper, coriander powder, fennel powder, garam masala and saute for a few seconds. 
• Add tomato and saute until the tomato is well cooked. 
• Carefully open the pressure cooker. If the water hasn’t completely dried, heat again without a lid until the water evaporates. 
• Add the meat to the pan and fry on a low flame until the meat is lightly roasted. 
• Check for salt. 
• (Optional) Add wine and roast again on a very low flame until the beef is roasted to preference. 
• Mix in the lemon juice and garnish with coriander. Remove from flame. 

Serve with hot rice, paratha or appam. Enjoy! Please share and comment <3