Janine’s Mutton or Beef Curry Cape Malay Style

A flavorful Cape Malay style curry featuring mutton or beef, with instructions to make your own custom curry powder blend.

Serves 4 · Metric units

Ingredients

• large onions2
• bay leaves2
• sunflower oil30 ml
• curry mix (curry powder, cumin powder, cinnamon powder, cardamom, turmeric)0
• chopped garlic0
• chopped ginger0
• mutton or beef941 g
• potatoes (optional)0
• peas (optional)0
• chillies (optional)0
• chopped green bell pepper (optional)237 ml
• chopped dried apricots (optional)78 ml
• red wine vinegar (optional)10 ml
• low-fat buttermilk (optional)59 ml
• less-sodium beef broth (optional)296 ml
• cloves (for homemade curry powder) (optional)15 ml
• fennel seeds (for homemade curry powder) (optional)15 ml
• black mustard seeds (for homemade curry powder) (optional)15 ml
• fenugreek seeds (for homemade curry powder) (optional)44 ml
• coriander seeds (for homemade curry powder) (optional)118 ml
• cumin seeds (for homemade curry powder) (optional)44 ml
• ground cardamom (for homemade curry powder) (optional)59 ml
• ground turmeric (for homemade curry powder) (optional)59 ml
• ground ginger (for homemade curry powder) (optional)15 ml
• curry leaves chopped into pieces (for homemade curry powder) (optional)2
• coriander0
• salt0 to taste

Method

1. To make your own curry powder, blend or grind together the cloves, fennel seeds, black mustard seeds, fenugreek seeds, coriander seeds, cumin seeds, ground cardamom, ground turmeric, ground ginger, and chopped curry leaves.
2. Heat the sunflower oil in a large pot and sauté the onions and bay leaves. Add the chopped garlic, ginger, and curry mix (or your homemade curry powder) and fry until fragrant.
3. Add the mutton or beef to the pot, searing the meat. Incorporate any optional ingredients such as potatoes, peas, chillies, green bell pepper, dried apricots, red wine vinegar, buttermilk, or beef broth as desired. Simmer until the meat is tender, then garnish with fresh coriander and season with salt to taste.