Olathirachi (Beef Fry)

This is one of the traditional beef curry known as olathirachi. You can be sure of having some, on any important occasion of Keralite Christian community. Prepared with fresh beef it is a sure treat with rice or chapati / roti.

Sl.No  Ingredients  Quantity  PreCooking Preparation 
1 Beef 1 Kg Cut into small cubes
2 Onions / Shell onions 2 to 3 cups Cut into thin slices
3 Ginger 1/2 cup Cut into juliennes
4 Garlic 1/2 cup Cut into juliennes
5 Curry leaves 2 stalks Cleaned
6 Salt To taste 
7 Coconut 1 cup Cut into thin rectangular pieces
8 Green Chillies 4 or 5 Sliced lengthwise
9 Vinegar 3 teaspoons Optional
10 Red Chilli powder 2 teaspoons  
11 Turmeric powder 1/4 teaspoon  
12 Coriander powder 1 1/2 tspn  
13 Garam masala 2 teaspoon  
14  Oil 3 tablespoon  
15  Tomato paste 2 teaspoons Optional

Preparation
Cut the beef into small cubes, and clean thoroughly.
Cut the onions, ginger, garlic, and coconut. Coconut should be cut into around 1 cm long, thin pieces.
Heat oil in a heavy bottomed vessel, and fry coconut, onions, ginger, and garlic. Fry till onions, and coconut pieces turn light brown. Add a stalk of curry leaves.
Add a little oil to fry the masala. When the oil is heated, add the turmeric powder, chilli powder, coriander powder, and the garam masala, and fry.
If you are not using vinegar, add tomato paste.
Add the cleaned beef and water enough to cook.
You can cook this mixture in a pressure cooker when in a hurry. Remove when almost cooked.
In a wide based vessel, put the cooked curry, add a stalk of curry leaves, and cook at a medium heat.
Cook till the water content is evaporated, and the curry becomes dry.
Serve with hot rice or chapattis.
This dish could be stored for some days, just heat it in a little oil, when served.