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.