Thai Beef Curry

Ingredients :

3 tbsp vegetable oil

800 g/1 lb 12 oz braising steak, cubed

2 onions, sliced thinly

2 tbsp Thai red curry paste

1 tbsp tamarind paste or lime juice

2 tbsp fish sauce

850 ml/1 1/2 pints coconut milk

2 tsp sugar

6 cardamom pods, crushed

1 small pineapple, peeled and chopped

Cooking Procedures:

Heat the oil in a flameproof casserole. Brown the beef in batches and set aside. Add the onions to the oil and cook for 5 minutes, then set aside with the beef. Add the curry paste and cook gently for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Stir in the tamarind paste, the fish sauce, coconut milk and sugar. Bring to boil, then reduce the heat and return the beef and onions to the casserole with the cardamom. Simmer gently, uncovered, for 1-1 1/2 hours, or until the meat is tender. Stir from time to time and if it is becoming dry, cover with a lid. Add the pineapple and cook for 5 more minutes. The curry should be quite dry, but add a little water if necessary.