aka 咖哩牛腩 (ga-lei-ao-laam). A classic hearty curry stew that’s super flavourful and full of aromatic spices, with super tender beef brisket. You can cook this on the stove or use an instant pot, you impatient being.
Hong Kong style curry beef brisket is different from other southeast Asian curries because this type of beef brisket is double braised, meaning, it’s first braised in aromatics and fermented soybean paste, chu hou sauce, and then it’s braised again in spices, curry, and coconut milk.
It has a strong curry flavour, but it’s not as spicy as general curries, in order to suit the tastes of Cantonese people.
The secret to tender brisket? Rock sugar, low temperature, and PATIENCE. Or… you can also use instant pot you impatient being.
I use the double braising method in order to get the most tender beef brisket.
I first braise it in aromatics, chu hou sauce 柱侯醬 (fermented soybean paste), and rock sugar. The rock sugar is crucial because it tenderizes the brisket. I’ve tried making curry beef brisket without rock sugar and the brisket just comes out not as tender. Rock sugar is also less sweet than regular sugar, which makes it an ideal sweetener for many Chinese dishes.
For the second braise, I braise it in curry powder, spices, more aromatics, and I also stir in coconut milk. This gives the curry more depth and flavour, which tastes just like the ones served in cha chaan tengs (Hong Kong style cafés).
And you definitely need to serve this with a lot of rice. Curry sauce + rice = match made in heaven.
You can also make this a day ahead and store it in the fridge overnight – this will give it a deeper flavour!
If you do try out this recipe, be sure to leave a comment and/or give it a rating! I’d also love to see your creations so don’t forget to tag me on Instagram!
Super Tender Curry Beef Brisket
Ingredients
- 2.2lb (1kg) beef brisket (or boneless short ribs/beef finger meat/chuck roast) (cut into large 1.5 inch cubes)
- 3 large fresh ginger slices
- 1 stalk green onion
1st Braise
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
- 5 pieces fresh ginger
- 1 stalk green onion (chopped into 1 inch pieces)
- 1 tbsp chu hou sauce 柱侯醬
- Blanched beef brisket (from above)
- Splash of Shaoxing wine
- 45 g rock sugar
- 3 bay leaves
- 1 star anise
- Hot water (just enough to cover the beef)
Curry Paste
- 1-2 tbsp curry paste (adjust according to spice preference)
- 1 tbsp shacha sauce 沙茶醬
- 1 tbsp ground tumeric
2nd Braise
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 small onion (chopped)
- 3 garlic cloves (minced)
- 1 shallot (sliced)
- Curry paste (from above)
- Braised beef brisket (from above)
- Splash of Shaoxing wine
- Broth (from 1st braise)
- 2 potatoes (cut into big pieces)
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 star anise
- ½ cinnamon stick
Seasoning
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tbsp light soy sauce
- 200 ml coconut milk
- 2 tbsp evaporated milk
Instructions
Blanch the beef
- Blanch the beef to get rid of any impurities. Add beef brisket to a pot of cold water with ginger and green onion and bring to a boil.
- Cook for 3-4 minutes (depending on the size of your beef brisket, you may need to cook for longer) until the beef is cooked. Drain and rinse under cold running water.
1st Braise
- Heat up the oil in a wok or dutch oven. (If instant pot, turn on the sauté setting).
- Stir fry the ginger until the edges start turning golden brown, then add the green onion and chu hou sauce and stir fry it over low heat, until it is fragrant and bubbles up.
- Add in the blanched beef brisket and wine and stir fry for 1 minute.
- Add rock sugar, bay leaves, star anise, and hot water (just enough to cover the beef). Bring to a boil. Cover and let it simmer for 1 hour. (if instant pot, 45 min on meat stew setting)
- After 1 hour, scoop out the beef brisket from the broth, discard ginger and green onion, and save the broth for later.
Curry Paste
- Mix everything together in a bowl. Set aside.
2nd Braise
- Heat up the oil in a clean wok or dutch oven. (If instant pot, turn on the sauté setting).
- Stir fry onion until fragrant, then add garlic, shallot, and mixed curry paste and stir fry to bring out the spices.
- Add the braised beef brisket and mix.
- Add splash of wine, mix, and then add in the broth and mix again.
- Add in the potatoes, bay leaves, star anise, and cinnamon stick.
- Bring to a boil, cover, and let it simmer for 45 minutes. (If instant pot, 45 min on meat stew setting).
- After 45 minutes, season by adding salt, soy sauce, coconut milk, and evaporated milk. Gently mix (to not accidentally break up the potatoes).
- Plate, and serve with rice. Enjoy!
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