Many times in history someone will take an idea and tweak it, sometimes for the better - cue: Boy and Bear's haunting version of Fall at Your Feet or Quiet Riot's Come on Feel the Noise. Unfortunately history also records that with the good comes the tragic - cue: Olivia Newton John's take on Ring of Fire or (and I can't believe this one didn't work) Bill Cosby's daring rendition of Sgt Peppers. It's with this in mind I put myself to the sword. For this weeks low and slow I have tweaked a recipe by Peter Kuruvita. Or rather have left out ingredients I just couldn't find! Much to my surprise it works and trust me is a lot more Sonic Youth covering Karen Carpenter's Superstar than it is Celine Dion hacking up AC/DC's classic You Shook Me All Night Long! As always, enjoy with great vino and people you love.
1 bottle of 2010 Hand Crafted by Geoff Hardy Shiraz Viognier Mourvedre for drinking whilst cooking
1 bottle of 2012 Lino Ramble ‘Treadlie’ GSM for drinking with curry
Low and Slow Sri Lankan Curry
Low and Slow Sri Lankan CurrySpice mix
1tsp Fenugreek seed 1 tsp Cumin seeds 1 tsp Coriander seeds 1 tsp Dried Chili 1 Cinnamon quill 3 Cloves 1× 3cm piece lemongrass bruised 1 Stem curry leaves 1/2 tsp Black Mustard seeds Pinch Whole black peppercorns Pinch of ground tumericCurry
1kg beef largely diced (I like gravy or chuck) 1 onion halved then sliced 1tsp Fenugreek seeds 2 cloves garlic 1 cm piece Ginger finely sliced 1 stems of Curry leaves 1×3cm piece lemongrass 1 tsp ground chili 1 tsp groundcumin 1 tsp groundcoriander Salt 1 tbsp Tomato paste Beef stock Vegetable oilSpice mix
On a Med heat throw all ingredients into a pan and toast for around 5-7 minutes. Keep it moving so the spices don't burn, then grind into a rough mix. Wrap 3 tsp in a muslin cloth and set aside.Curry
Toast fenugreek and add to a bowl with cumin powder, coriander powder, chili powder, ginger, 1 pce of lemongrass bruised, 1 clove garlic sliced, pinch of salt and 1tsp of your newly created curry spice mix. Add beef and toss til coated thoroughly and set aside for half hr Heat oil kinda hot in cast iron casserole pot and add curry leaves they may spit and pop a bit but this is okay. Add onion and garlic and cook til onion softens Add beef and brown well being careful not to burn spice Add tomato paste and top with beef stock til just covered Bring to the boil and then bring it down low and slow Should take 2-3 hrs but like Phil Collins says you can't hurry love...