Hearty Beef and Vegetable Curry Rice for the Whole Family
Hearty Beef and Vegetable Curry Rice for the Whole Family
Maximize Your Leftover Veggies! An Easy Beef Curry Rice Recipe Everyone Will Love
Introducing curry rice, a quintessential one-dish meal perfect for using up all those assorted vegetables in your fridge. It’s ideal for clearing out leftover produce, and a fantastic way to ensure even picky eaters at home get their daily dose of diverse vegetables. ^^ Adding plenty of protein-rich beef and simmering it to a rich, thick consistency means even the most vegetable-averse children will gobble it down in no time! While I often use solid curry blocks, today I’ve made it with a readily available powder curry packet for a delicious result. I happened to have leftover vegetables from the holidays, so I had all the nutritious ingredients ready without needing to buy anything extra. Any cut of beef with less fat is fine for this recipe. I usually prefer sirloin or flat iron steak, but today I had a good amount of eye round left over from the holidays, so I cut it into generous chunks for a delightful chew. Thanks to this, I quickly and easily created a rich curry without needing extra ingredients, providing a delicious and satisfying meal for the whole family. Let me walk you through how to make this wonderful curry rice step-by-step.
Ingredients- 100g curry powder (choose your favorite brand)
- 300g beef round or sirloin (cut into bite-sized pieces)
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- 3-4 pinches salt
- 3-4 pinches black pepper
- 2 potatoes (peeled and cut into 2cm cubes)
- 1 onion (peeled and cut into 1.5cm cubes)
- 1/3 carrot (peeled and cut into 1cm cubes)
- 1/2 zucchini (cut into 1cm cubes)
- 550ml water (adjust to your preference)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare the beef. Pat the large chunks of beef dry with paper towels to remove any excess blood. This step is crucial for eliminating any gamey odor and ensuring a cleaner flavor in your curry.
Step 2
To the dried beef, add 1 tablespoon of olive oil, 3-4 pinches of salt, and 3-4 pinches of black pepper. Gently massage the seasonings into the meat. While the beef marinates for about 20 minutes, you can start preparing your vegetables, which helps save time.
Step 3
Feel free to use whatever vegetables you have on hand for your curry! Besides potatoes, onions, carrots, and zucchini, you can add broccoli or mushrooms. If your children dislike certain vegetables, you can omit them or chop them very finely. This dish is perfect for a ‘fridge clean-out’! Since my children aren’t big fans of vegetables, I tend to chop them relatively small, but if you prefer a heartier texture, feel free to cut them into larger pieces.
Step 4
In a deep pot or Dutch oven, start by sautéing the onions over medium-low heat. Caramelizing the onions until they are nicely golden brown will significantly deepen the sweetness and flavor of your curry. Be patient and stir occasionally to prevent burning – this is key to achieving that rich taste.
Step 5
Once the onions are well-caramelized, add the marinated beef and sauté together. Cook until the beef is about 80% done, meaning the outside has browned. Searing the meat first helps to lock in its juices, resulting in a more tender texture.
Step 6
Now, add the firmer vegetables like carrots and potatoes. Sauté them with the beef and onions for another 3-4 minutes. Stir-frying these vegetables first helps shorten their cooking time and brings out their natural sweetness.
Step 7
Finally, add the remaining softer vegetables, such as zucchini, and pour in 550ml of water. Powdered curry generally thickens more readily than solid curry blocks, so you might need slightly less water than indicated here, but feel free to adjust to your desired consistency. Once all ingredients are in, bring the mixture to a boil over high heat.
Step 8
As soon as the mixture comes to a boil, add the entire packet of curry powder directly into the pot. There’s no need to dissolve it in water beforehand; it will easily disperse without clumping. Give it a gentle stir to ensure it’s well combined.
Step 9
Now, cover the pot and let it simmer over medium heat for about 15 minutes. This allows the vegetables to become tender and the flavors to meld, achieving that perfect thick curry consistency. Remember to stir occasionally to prevent the ingredients from sticking to the bottom. Curry rice is a complete meal with just a side of kimchi, and its ease of preparation with a single packet of curry powder makes it ideal for busy days. For an extra touch, you can top it with a fried egg or a sprinkle of parsley for a more appealing presentation. This simple dish transforms into a wonderful homemade meal that rivals restaurant-bought curry. Enjoy a hearty and delicious meal with this curry rice, a fantastic way to incorporate a variety of vegetables!
