1 medium-large onion, 2 cloves garlic (smallish ones)
1 lb beef cubes (or favorite cut sliced into bite-sized pieces
2 or 4 teaspoons curry (from East Indian store or grocery variety)
(add red pepper and/or cayenne to taste if extra heat wanted)
sprinkle of black pepper, salt, 1 teaspoon sugar
2 cups water
1 small potato - peeled, diced
3 tablespoons or so of plain yogurt or sour cream (mix if you like)
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chop onions and garlic, sautee in some oil, add meat and brown; add spices, stir, add water and potato, bring up to boil; bring down and let mix simmer for 10-15 minutes; add yogurt/sour cream and stir. simmer low heat, stirring often, for 20 min or so. Serve with rice. I sometimes let it cool off and leave it in the fridge 4-8 hrs and let the flavors deepen.
Use mutton if you have it. Ditto with chicken.