At times you want maximum flavour for minimum effort and this easy cheat beef curry is one of those recipes. I though I would make life easy cooking this curry by using a ready made curry sauce (Kohinoor sauces) and then just pimp it up a little. Inspired by a pack of reduced shin of beef I knew I wanted something slow cooked but not the usual.
Then I decided that I would use the ready made packet sauce, a Kohinoor curry,I know the packet says its for a different meat, but, meat is meat and beef is meat. It is so quick and easy to make with minimum effort and full proof. The reason you want beef is because of the long cooking time, the fat will render out and keep the beef moist. If you used any lean cuts of beef the meat dry out and become very difficult to chew and digest.
Curry For One
Ok so this recipe makes enough for 4 people so I froze the other 3 portions. They rarely make Kohinoor curry sauces to make meals for one so you just have to adapt. The perfect accompaniment to this lazy beef curry is either plain rice or garlic and coriander naan bread. If you like the convenience of cooking with the Kohinoor sauces then try this easy Nihari lamb curry.
Ingredients
- 500g Shin off beef
- 1 Medium sized onion rough slice
- 1 Clove of chopped garlic (Quick cheat is ready minced garlic from a jar
- Curry powder of your choice, I used Korma
- Kohinoor sauce, I used the butter chicken blend
- 1 teaspoon vegetable oil
How To Make The Beef Curry
- Adding the onions
First add the oil to the pan and heat a little then add the onions and cook for 5 mins on a medium heat
- Curry powder
Once the onions are nearly translucent add your choice of curry powder to cook out the spices for 3 minutes
- Browning the beef
If your pan is not large enough you may need to take the onions out of the pan and then brown the beef in batches. Each batch should take around 4 minutes to caramelise the outside of the beef
- Onions & Beef
Add all the ingredients back into the pan
- Adding the sauce
Now empty the packet curry sauce to the pan, mix all the ingredients and then turn down the heat to the lowest setting on you hob. Place the lid on top of the pan and allow to cook gently for 2 and a half hours
- Remove the lid
The beef should be nice and tender at this point, so its just a matter of reducing the sauce to your desired consistency. (if you are adding any fillers to the dish add it at this point)
What To Serve With The Butter Beef Curry
Ingredient Costs
500g of diced shin of beef = £3.50 (regular price £5.00)
1 Pack of Kohinoor Nihari Sauce = £1.95
2 Small onions = £0.16
1 Can of green lentils = £0.55
Curry powder = £0.05
Garlic = £0.05
Oil = £0.04
Total cost of ingredients = £6.00 (RP, £7.50)
Servings = 6
Cost per serving = £1.02 per portion (RP, £1.27)
No Effort Easy Beef Curry
Equipment
- 1 Cast Iron Sauce Pan With Lid
- 1 Slow Cooker as an alternative cooking method
Ingredients
- 500 g Diced shin of beef
- 1 Packet Kohinoor Butter Chicken Sauce
- 1 tbsp Curry powder I used korma, but if you like it hotter add your favourite curry powder
- 1 tbsp Minced garlic paste from a jar
- 1 medium chopped onion
- 1 tbsp Veg oil
Instructions
- Add some 1 tbsp Veg oil to the pan and heat
- Next when the pan and oil are hot add the 1 medium chopped onion, 1 tbsp Curry powder and 1 tbsp Minced garlic paste . Sweat the onions until nearly translucent1 tbsp Curry powder, 1 medium chopped onion, 1 tbsp Minced garlic paste
- The next step is to add the 500 g Diced shin of beef and brown500 g Diced shin of beef
- Once the beef is brown add the 1 Packet Kohinoor Butter Chicken Sauce1 Packet Kohinoor Butter Chicken Sauce
- Allow to cook on the hob with the lid on for 2 hours 30
- Remove the lid and allow the sauce to thicken
Notes
Different Cuts Of Meat
- Beef cheeks (Ox Cheeks)
- Braising steak Chuck roast)
- Brisket
- Oxtail
Do Not Use
Do not use any lean cuts of meat because the long cooking time will dry it out. Always go for a fattier cook like the examples aboveBulk, Recipe Fillers
You can bulk out this recipe to make it even more budget friendly recipe.- Green lentils
- Baked beans, supermarket own brand
Nutrition
Ingredients In The Kohinoor Sauce
Onion, Water, Tomato Puree (20%), Refined Sunflower Oil, Cashew Nuts, Sugar, Garlic (1.3%), Coriander, Salt, Ginger, Garam Masala, Red Chilli Powder, Fenugreek Leaves (0.2%)
Freezing Tips
- Allow the food to completely cool before freezing
- Divide the mixture into single portions before freezing. This way you will reduce any waste, I place mine in 220ml storage tubs.
- Defrosting the beef curry, the most controlled method is in the fridge overnight. You can also take it out in the morning before you got to work and it will defrost before you come home. Ensure that it is in a place that gets no direct sunlight.
- Reheating, this needs to be down on a low heat and slowly so you do not thicken the sauce too much. (You can add water if it does become to thick but adding water will reduce flavour a little)
Beef is such a versatile ingredient and a star in many dishes, you just need to ensure you get the right cook for the right recipe.
Yes you can use a different cut like ox cheeks, braising steak and oxtail for this dish
Yes its the perfect recipe for cooing in a slow cooker
Yes you can freeze this recipe and its perfect for freezing for meals for one
To make make beef more tender in a curry you need to select the right cut of beef. Always go for a fatty cut of beef and then cook it low and slow to render out the fat and keep the meat moist
You can add fillers with the beef like baked beans or green lentils
Another great easy dish using this cut of beef is my Shin of beef and Kidney recipe & pickled onions.
Happiest in the kitchen feeding the 3 children who are constantly hungry. Lucky enough to have worked in a Pro kitchen on a voluntary basis to learn the tricks of the trade.. Buckinghams The restaurant with one Table. With Chef Nick Buckingham.(RIP)
as easy as it said and full of flavour, fabulous will be making this again