Going back to Africa through curry

I love cooking dishes that transport me back to my childhood years in Africa.  I would give anything to have palm butter and rice tonight with a side of real collard greens; the oil seeping on my hands, turning them bright orange and the incredible red pepper that makes your mouth seem on fire! 

I can’t have that tonight so I made something else.  Curry.  And as it cooks in my slow cooker today (I have to admit I’ve taken a few small bites, just to make sure the seasonings are okay right?) my home is flooded with scents from my days in Kenya.  I wish I had those melt in your mouth chapatis we used to get at the local duka.  I really need to figure out how to make those. 

Until then, I’ll have to settle for my curry with rice. 

If you don’t cook ethnic food, give this one a try. It’s super easy and the flavors really work well together.  Let it be your introduction to a different kind of cuisine.   I like things spicy so I added more red pepper to make this HOT.

PS  The picture is of Mount Longonot near Kijabe, Kenya.  I saw this awesome mountain every day while attending boarding school and climbed it countless times.  Maybe that’s why I love living in Colorado so much…it transports me back to the mountains of my teenage years!

Beef Curry with Rice 

• 2 pounds well-trimmed boneless beef stew meat, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 2 large onions, sliced
• 2 large garlic cloves, chopped
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• 1 bay leaf
• 1/4 teaspoon dried crushed red pepper (I used 1 tsp as I like it spicy)
• 1 cup whole milk
• 1 15 oz can chopped tomatoes
• 3 tablespoons orange marmalade
• 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons minced peeled fresh ginger
• 1 1/2 tablespoons curry powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

Brown stew meat in 1 tbls oil.  Transfer meat to slow cooker.  Add onions and garlic to pan where you cooked the meat.  Saute until soft (around 5 minutes). Add to slow cooker.  Add rest of ingredients. 

Cook on low for 6 to 9 hours, depending on your slow cooker.  You want the stew meat to fall apart.

Serve over rice or boiled potatoes.

Enjoy!

Recipe adapted from Epicurious