Beef Ularthiyathu

Beef Ularthiyathu

Beef Ularthiyathu

Kerala dry beef fry — lean beef cubed and pressure-cooked with turmeric, red chilli powder, coriander powder, pepper, ginger, garlic, and shallots until completely tender, then transferred to a heavy iron pan or wok with coconut oil, sliced coconut pieces (thenga kothu), dried red chilli, curry leaves, and fresh ginger julienne, and stir-fried over high heat until all the moisture evaporates and the beef and coconut pieces are dark, caramelised, and crispy at the edges. The coconut pieces become slightly charred and chewy and carry the spice coating; the beef is dry, intensely flavoured, and dark-brown. The quintessential Syrian Christian Travancore preparation; made for Onam, Easter, and Christmas feasts and brought in tins to weddings and long journeys. Eaten with kappa, appam, or plain rice.

Cuisines

Travancore Kerala Christian Malabar

Best for

Lunch Dinner

Build a full meal around Beef Ularthiyathu

Get a matched combo of sides and accents

Recipe

Prep: 15 min Cook: 45 min Total: 60 min 2-3 servings

Ingredients

Beef 500 grams Beef , cut into small cubes
coconut oil 2 tablespoons Coconut oil
Mustard Seed 1 teaspoon Mustard Seed
Shallot 1 cup Shallot , sliced
ginger-garlic paste 1 tablespoon Ginger-garlic paste
red chili powder 2 teaspoons Red chili powder
turmeric powder 1 teaspoon Turmeric powder
black pepper powder 1 teaspoon Black pepper powder
Fennel Seed 1 teaspoon Fennel Seed
coriander powder 1 teaspoon Coriander powder
Coconut 1 cup Coconut , slices
Curry Leaf 2 sprigs Curry Leaf
Green Chili 2 Green Chili , slit
cinnamon stick 1 Cinnamon stick
Clove 4 Clove
Cardamom Pod 2 Cardamom Pod
to taste salt To taste

Instructions

  1. 1 Heat coconut oil in a pan and add mustard seeds. Allow them to splutter.
  2. 2 Add the sliced shallots and sauté until they turn golden brown.
  3. 3 Add ginger-garlic paste and sauté until the raw smell disappears.
  4. 4 Add red chili powder, turmeric powder, black pepper powder, coriander powder, and fennel seeds. Sauté for a minute.
  5. 5 Add the beef cubes and stir well to coat with the spices.
  6. 6 Add cinnamon stick, cloves, and cardamom pods. Mix well.
  7. 7 Add salt to taste and cover the pan. Cook on low heat until the beef is tender, stirring occasionally.
  8. 8 In a separate pan, dry roast the coconut slices until they are golden brown.
  9. 9 Add the roasted coconut slices, curry leaves, and green chilies to the beef. Mix well and cook for another 5-10 minutes.
  10. 10 Serve hot with rice or bread.

Tips

For an authentic flavor, use freshly ground spices and tender cuts of beef.