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Coconut Beef & Eggplant Curry

A rich and flavorful curry that combines tender beef, creamy coconut milk, and soft eggplants, perfect for dinner parties or a cozy meal at home.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Serving Size 4 servings

Ingredients

Main ingredients

  • 1.5 lbs beef chuck or stew beef, cut into cubes Preferred cuts for tenderness
  • 1–2 tbsp curry powder (preferably garam masala or your favorite blend) Adjust according to taste
  • 1 tbsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp ground coriander
  • 1 tsp ground turmeric
  • 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper (optional for heat) Adjust for desired spiciness
  • 2 tbsp vegetable or coconut oil For cooking
  • 1 large onion, chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 inch piece fresh ginger, grated
  • 2 medium eggplants (aubergines), cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 1 can (14 oz) full-fat coconut milk
  • 1 cup beef broth or water
  • 1 tbsp tomato paste
  • to taste Salt and pepper
  • Steamed jasmine rice or naan bread for serving
  • Fresh cilantro for garnish
  • Lime wedges for serving

Instructions

Preparation

  • Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add oil. Toss eggplant cubes in salt and cook until golden brown and tender. Set aside.
  • In a pot, heat oil over medium-high heat. Sear beef cubes until browned, then remove and set aside.
  • In the same pot, sauté onion, garlic, and ginger for 4–5 minutes until softened.

Cooking

  • Stir in curry powder, cumin, coriander, turmeric, cinnamon, and cayenne. Cook for 1–2 minutes until fragrant.
  • Add tomato paste and combine.
  • Pour in coconut milk and beef broth, stirring well. Bring to a simmer.
  • Return beef to the pot, cover, and simmer for 45–60 minutes until tender.
  • Add the eggplant and cook for an additional 10–15 minutes.
  • Taste and adjust seasoning. If it’s too thick, add more broth or water.

Serving

  • Serve over rice or with naan, garnished with cilantro and lime.

Notes

For deeper flavor, marinate the beef in spices and a bit of coconut milk for a few hours before cooking. You can use pre-cut beef or beef that cooks quickly, such as sirloin. Adjust the spices to your taste; add more cayenne if you like it spicier.