Flavorful Halal Beef Curry with Creamy Dill Potato Salad

Get ready to tantalize your taste buds with this incredible duo: a rich, aromatic served alongside a vibrant, refreshing potato salad. This meal perfectly balances hearty, spicy warmth with cool, creamy tang, creating a symphony of flavors that will impress everyone at your table. It's a truly satisfying and delicious experience, perfect for any family dinner or special gathering.

📜 Ingredients

For the Flavorful Halal Beef Curry:

1.5 pounds halal beef stew meat, cut into 1-inch cubes

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 large onion, finely chopped

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 inch fresh ginger, grated

1 green bell pepper, chopped

1 (14.5-ounce) can crushed tomatoes

1/2 cup water or beef broth (halal)

2 tablespoons tomato paste

1 teaspoon ground cumin

1 teaspoon ground coriander

1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder

1/2 teaspoon red chili powder (adjust to taste)

1/2 teaspoon garam masala

Salt to taste

Fresh cilantro, chopped, for garnish

For the Creamy Dill Potato Salad:

2 pounds Yukon gold potatoes, peeled and cubed (1-inch pieces)

1/2 pound fresh green beans, trimmed and halved

1 cup mayonnaise (halal-certified, if possible)

1/4 cup finely chopped fresh dill

2 tablespoons white vinegar

1 tablespoon Dijon mustard (ensure halal, no wine)

1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced

1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved

Salt to taste

Freshly ground black pepper to taste

📝 Instructions

For the Flavorful Halal Beef Curry:

  1. Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Season beef cubes with salt and sear in batches until browned on all sides. Remove beef and set aside.
  2. Add chopped onion to the pot and sauté until softened and translucent, about 5-7 minutes.
  3. Stir in minced garlic and grated ginger, cooking for another minute until fragrant.
  4. Return the seared beef to the pot. Add crushed tomatoes, water/broth, tomato paste, cumin, coriander, turmeric, red chili powder, and garam masala. Stir well to combine.
  5. Bring the curry to a simmer, then reduce heat to low, cover, and cook for 1.5-2 hours, or until the beef is tender. Stir occasionally.
  6. During the last 20 minutes of cooking, stir in the chopped green bell pepper. Continue to cook until the pepper is tender-crisp. Taste and adjust salt if needed.

For the Creamy Dill Potato Salad:

  1. Place cubed potatoes in a large pot and cover with cold, salted water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 10-15 minutes, or until potatoes are fork-tender. Drain well and let cool slightly.
  2. While potatoes are cooking, bring a small pot of salted water to a boil. Add green beans and blanch for 2-3 minutes until bright green and tender-crisp. Immediately drain and plunge into an ice bath to stop cooking, then drain again.
  3. In a large bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, fresh dill, white vinegar, Dijon mustard, salt, and black pepper.
  4. Add the slightly cooled potatoes, blanched green beans, thinly sliced red onion, and halved cherry tomatoes to the dressing. Gently fold everything together until all ingredients are well coated.
  5. Cover and chill the potato salad in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld.

To Serve:

Spoon a generous portion of the Flavorful Halal Beef Curry onto plates alongside a serving of the chilled Creamy Dill Potato Salad. Garnish the curry with fresh cilantro.

💡 Chef's Tips

  • Make Ahead Magic: The Halal Beef Curry tastes even better the next day as the flavors deepen. Prepare it a day in advance for an even more delicious meal! The potato salad also benefits from chilling, so it's a fantastic make-ahead side.
  • Spice Level Adjustment: For more heat in your curry, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a chopped green chili along with the garlic and ginger. If you prefer a milder taste, reduce the red chili powder.