Nadan Beef Fry

Nadan Beef Fry

Nadan Beef Fry

Thinly sliced beef slow-cooked with shallots, coconut slivers, and an aromatic blend of whole spices, then dry-roasted (ularthiyathu) until each piece is dark, intensely flavoured, and just caramelised at the edges. The most iconic dish of Kerala's Syrian Christian table.

Cuisines

Travancore Kerala Kerala Christian Malabar

Best for

Lunch Dinner

Build a full meal around Nadan Beef Fry

Get a matched combo of sides and accents

Recipe

Prep: 20 min Cook: 40 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 10 Shallot , sliced
Green Chili 2 Green Chili , slit
Ginger 1 tablespoon Ginger , finely chopped
Garlic 1 tablespoon Garlic , finely chopped
turmeric powder 1 teaspoon Turmeric powder
red chili powder 2 teaspoons Red chili powder
coriander powder 1 tablespoon Coriander powder
pepper powder 1 teaspoon Pepper powder
garam masala 1 teaspoon Garam masala
Coconut 1 cup Coconut , slices
Curry Leaf 10 Curry Leaf
Lemon 1 Lemon , juiced
salt Salt , to taste

Instructions

  1. 1 Clean and cut the beef into small cubes.
  2. 2 In a pressure cooker, add the beef, turmeric powder, red chili powder, coriander powder, pepper powder, salt, and a little water.
  3. 3 Pressure cook the beef for about 3-4 whistles or until tender.
  4. 4 Heat coconut oil in a heavy-bottomed pan, add mustard seeds and let them splutter.
  5. 5 Add sliced shallots, green chilies, ginger, and garlic. Sauté until the shallots turn golden brown.
  6. 6 Add the cooked beef along with any remaining liquid from the pressure cooker.
  7. 7 Add garam masala and mix well. Cook on medium heat until the beef starts to fry and becomes dry.
  8. 8 Add coconut slices and curry leaves. Continue to fry until the coconut slices turn golden brown.
  9. 9 Squeeze lemon juice over the beef fry, mix well, and remove from heat.

Tips

For an authentic taste, use fresh coconut oil and adjust the spice levels to your preference.