I get asked quite often why I like to cook. The first reason I give is normally because I like to eat. I am Thai and food is a big factor in our culture. We greet each other with hello followed by 'have you eaten? When guests turn up at your house it's safe to assume that they will expect to be fed.

The second reason is that as I grew up in the Northeastern part of Thailand, the poorest region, food was always hard to come by. We weren't hungry as there was always rice, but it was difficult finding something to go with rice. Now I do have ingredients to go with rice, I want to cook!

Friday, 7 October 2016

Beef Cheek Rogan Josh.

Beef Cheek Rogan Josh.


I have broken 2 rules of Rogan Josh with this recipe. Firstly this is, traditionally, a lamb dish of Persian origin. Secondly Rogan Josh means cooked in oil in intense heat. I don't eat lamb so I have replaced it with beef cheek and instead of fierce heat, this curry has been slowly braised in a low oven. If you have not tried beef cheek before, I recommend that you do. It's an economical cut of meat that is perfect for a lazy, slow and long cooking process. The end result is meltingly tender beef with the most extraordinary deep rich flavoured sauce. This curry is fiery, sultry and mouth-wateringly delicious. This has to be my most scrummy Indian recipe yet!


For the spices.

In a small frying pan, dry roast,

-2tsp peppercorns,

-2tbsp coriander seeds,

-2tbsp cumin seeds,

-5-6 cloves.

Cook, stirring on low heat until the spices are toasted.

Finely grind using a spice grinder or pestle and mortar.


Extra spices.

-2tsp fennel seeds.

-1 stick cassia bark or cinnamon.

-1/2tsp ground mace,

-5 cardamom, leave whole.


For the Sauce.

-2 cloves chopped garlic.

-2tbsp chopped ginger.

-2 sliced onions.

-1tsp turmeric powder.

-1tbsp paprika.

-1tbsp cayenne pepper.

-2tsp salt (adjust accordingly)

-300g chopped tomatoes.

-500ml water.

-150ml natural yoghurt.


For the beef.

-2x300g beef cheeks.

Seasoned generously with salt.

Leave aside.


In a large casserole pan, with 2tbsp of vegetable oil, fry

-garlic with,

-ginger,

-onions,

-extra spices.

Cook, stirring until the onions have caramelised, add

-roasted ground spices,

-beef cheeks.

Stir to coat the beef in the spices, add

-turmeric powder,

-paprika,

-cayenne pepper,

-salt.

Stir well, add

-tomatoes,

-water,

-2tbsp yoghurt.

Continue to add a couple of tablespoonfuls of yoghurt at a time until it's all gone (if you add it all at once, the sauce may split).

Bring up to the boil.

Place in 150c fan forced oven for around 3 hours or until flaking and tender.

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