MOREISH MONSOON MEALS

So many people ask me, “What is the monsoon like in Goa?” Well believe it or not it’s actually summer here. The temperatures remain the same and still some nice sunny days.  However, maybe it’s my frame of mind that when the rain is beating on the windows, and the wind is gusting through the palm trees, I get an urge to eat comfort food. Good for the soul, but not for the waistline.

So, without further ado, let’s kick off my Monsoon Moreish Meals with a pungent Beef Pepper Pot Stew.

BEEF PEPPER POT STEW – SERVES 4

Get what you need

1 ½ Tbsp. plain flour        salt & pepper      450g Stewing beef- cut into chunks      2 Tbsp. olive oil     1 large onion chopped     4 crushed garlic cloves      1 fresh green chili deseed and chopped      3 sticks of celery sliced    4 cloves    2-3 Tsp. hot pepper sauce (Or to taste. I tend to use 2 and then place the bottle on the table if people want it more spicy J ) 1Tsp. mixed spice     600ml beef stock     225g pumpkin cut into chunks    1 large carrot cut in chunks    1 large Red or green pepper chopped     4 tomatoes roughly chopped

NOW COOK!

·         Put the flour, salt and pepper into a bowl or ideally a freezer bag J and toss the beef in the flour.

·         Heat the oil in a heavy based pan or frying pan and fry on a medium heat the onion, garlic, and chili, celery, also adding the cloves and mixed spice.  Stir frequently until soft. Turn the heat up to high and add the beef, browning on all sides and sealed. Add any remaining flour, and stir constantly for 2 minutes, then remove from the heat.

·         Add the hot pepper sauce, and steadily add the beef stock, then return to the heat and bring to the boil, keep stirring, don’t let that sauce stick!

·         Add the pumpkin, carrot and pepper. Cover and simmer for a further 15 minutes. Add the tomatoes and cook until the beef is tender.

·         Serve with flat rice noodles

ALTERNATIVE SLOW COOKER METHOD J

Do steps 1-3 THEN PUT THE BEEF MIXTURE INTO SLOW COOKER, WITH THE PUMPKIN, CARROT, PEPPERS AND TOMATOES. GIVE A LITTLE MIX AROUND AND THEN COVER AND COOK ON LOW FOR 4-5 HOURS. BOY IS THE MEAT NICE AND TENDER!