Fried coconut beef

Ingredients

• 2 star anise
• 3 cloves
• 1 tsp ground chilli
• ½ tsp ground turmeric
• 1 tbsp ground coriander
• 1 cinnamon quill
• 8 garlic cloves, crushed
• 3 cm piece ginger, finely grated
• 2 Asian red eschalots (see Note), finely chopped
• 1 kg beef chuck, trimmed, cut into 3 cm pieces
• 60 ml (¼ cup) coconut oil (see Note)
• 15 curry leaves (see Note)
• 1 onion, sliced
• 2 long green chilies, halved lengthways
• 60 g (½ cup) freshly shaved coconut, plus extra, to serve
• steamed rice and lime wedges, to serve

Marinating time 1 hourDrink match 2011 Glaetzer-Dixon Mon Père Shiraz, Tasmania ($46)

Instructions

Using a mortar and pestle or spice grinder, grind star anise and cloves until fine. Place in a bowl with chilli, turmeric, coriander, cinnamon, garlic, ginger, eschalots and beef. Season with salt, mixing well to combine. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour to marinate.

Place beef and marinade in a pressure cooker and cook on medium, following manufacturer’s instructions, for 45 minutes or until beef is tender. Set beef aside. Alternatively, place beef and marinade in a large, heavy-based saucepan with 1 L heated beef stock and cook, covered, over medium–low heat for 2 hours. Remove beef from liquid and set aside.

Heat oil in a large, non-stick frying pan over medium heat. Add 7 curry leaves and cook for 1 minute or until crisp. Remove and set aside. Add onion and green chillies, and cook, stirring, for 7 minutes or until onion is golden. Add remaining 8 curry leaves and cook for 2 minutes or until fragrant. Add coconut and beef mixture, and cook, stirring, for 15 minutes or until beef is browned and mixture is dry.

Scatter beef with crisp curry leaves and extra coconut shavings. Serve with steamed rice and lime wedges.

Notes

• Asian red eschalots are available from select greengrocers and Asian food shops.

• Coconut oil is available from health food shops and Asian food shops.

• Curry leaves are available from select greengrocers.

Photography Derek Swalwell