Fragrant Thai Beef Curry

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons oil
• 2 lbs stewing beef, cut into chunks and seasoned with salt and pepper
• 1 onion, sliced
• 2 red chili peppers, sliced
• 2 tablespoons red curry paste
• 1 3/4 cups coconut milk
• 7/8 cup beef stock
• 2 sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks
• 2 teaspoons fish sauce
• 2 teaspoons soy sauce
• 2 ounces cilantro leaves

Directions

1. 1

   Heat 2 tbs of the oil in a large casserole, and brown the beef on all sides. Set aside, add 1 1/4 cups cold water to the casserole and scrape the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon. Retain these juices.

2. 2

   Heat the remaining oil and cook the onion and chili peppers for 5 minutes until soft.

3. 3

   Add the curry paste and turn up the heat for 2 minutes, or until the onion is beginning to go a light brown colour.

4. 4

   Return the beef to the pan, along with the beef juices, coconut milk and stock.

5. 5

   Cook, uncovered over a very gentle heat for 1 1/2 hours so that it is barely simmering and the beef becomes tender.

6. 6

   If the coconut milk boils it will split so keep an eye on it.

7. 7

   Once the beef is quite tender, add the sweet potatoes and cook for 20 minutes or until they are soft.

8. 8

   Season with the fish sauce. Sprinkle with the cilantro and serve with a bowl of rice.