{"items":["5fc7857192dea00017e62695","5fc7857192dea00017e62696","5fc7857192dea00017e62697"],"styles":{"galleryType":"Columns","groupSize":1,"showArrows":true,"cubeImages":true,"cubeType":"max","cubeRatio":1.7777777777777777,"isVertical":true,"gallerySize":30,"collageAmount":0,"collageDensity":0,"groupTypes":"1","oneRow":false,"imageMargin":5,"galleryMargin":0,"scatter":0,"rotatingScatter":"","chooseBestGroup":true,"smartCrop":false,"hasThumbnails":false,"enableScroll":true,"isGrid":true,"isSlider":false,"isColumns":false,"isSlideshow":false,"cropOnlyFill":false,"fixedColumns":0,"enableInfiniteScroll":true,"isRTL":false,"minItemSize":50,"rotatingGroupTypes":"","rotatingCropRatios":"","columnWidths":"","gallerySliderImageRatio":1.7777777777777777,"numberOfImagesPerRow":3,"numberOfImagesPerCol":1,"groupsPerStrip":0,"borderRadius":0,"boxShadow":0,"gridStyle":0,"mobilePanorama":false,"placeGroupsLtr":true,"viewMode":"preview","thumbnailSpacings":4,"galleryThumbnailsAlignment":"bottom","isMasonry":false,"isAutoSlideshow":false,"slideshowLoop":false,"autoSlideshowInterval":4,"bottomInfoHeight":0,"titlePlacement":["SHOW_ON_THE_RIGHT","SHOW_BELOW"],"galleryTextAlign":"center","scrollSnap":false,"itemClick":"nothing","fullscreen":true,"videoPlay":"hover","scrollAnimation":"NO_EFFECT","slideAnimation":"SCROLL","scrollDirection":0,"scrollDuration":400,"overlayAnimation":"FADE_IN","arrowsPosition":0,"arrowsSize":23,"watermarkOpacity":40,"watermarkSize":40,"useWatermark":true,"watermarkDock":{"top":"auto","left":"auto","right":0,"bottom":0,"transform":"translate3d(0,0,0)"},"loadMoreAmount":"all","defaultShowInfoExpand":1,"allowLinkExpand":true,"expandInfoPosition":0,"allowFullscreenExpand":true,"fullscreenLoop":false,"galleryAlignExpand":"left","addToCartBorderWidth":1,"addToCartButtonText":"","slideshowInfoSize":200,"playButtonForAutoSlideShow":false,"allowSlideshowCounter":false,"hoveringBehaviour":"NEVER_SHOW","thumbnailSize":120,"magicLayoutSeed":1,"imageHoverAnimation":"NO_EFFECT","imagePlacementAnimation":"NO_EFFECT","calculateTextBoxWidthMode":"PERCENT","textBoxHeight":26,"textBoxWidth":200,"textBoxWidthPercent":65,"textImageSpace":10,"textBoxBorderRadius":0,"textBoxBorderWidth":0,"loadMoreButtonText":"","loadMoreButtonBorderWidth":1,"loadMoreButtonBorderRadius":0,"imageInfoType":"ATTACHED_BACKGROUND","itemBorderWidth":0,"itemBorderRadius":0,"itemEnableShadow":false,"itemShadowBlur":20,"itemShadowDirection":135,"itemShadowSize":10,"imageLoadingMode":"BLUR","expandAnimation":"NO_EFFECT","imageQuality":90,"usmToggle":false,"usm_a":0,"usm_r":0,"usm_t":0,"videoSound":false,"videoSpeed":"1","videoLoop":true,"jsonStyleParams":"","gallerySizeType":"px","gallerySizePx":1000,"allowTitle":true,"allowContextMenu":true,"textsHorizontalPadding":-30,"itemBorderColor":{"themeName":"color_12","value":"rgba(197,197,197,0)"},"showVideoPlayButton":true,"galleryLayout":2,"calculateTextBoxHeightMode":"MANUAL","targetItemSize":1000,"selectedLayout":"2|bottom|1|max|true|0|true","layoutsVersion":2,"selectedLayoutV2":2,"isSlideshowFont":true,"externalInfoHeight":26,"externalInfoWidth":0.65},"container":{"width":300,"galleryWidth":305,"galleryHeight":0,"scrollBase":0,"height":null}}
Beef Curry In A Hurry
Tuesday saw the the first, real rain, and by lunchtime I'd already received SMS's from two different shoe stores, offering a discount on winter boots. It never fails to amaze me how we live with courage in a political hot-spot, yet the entire country falls apart when the seasons change. In the spirit of 'battening down the hatches', I offer you the beef curry dish I make most often, as it's super speedy and ultra delicious. Because it's made with ground beef - which is conveniently on offer this week - it cooks way faster than beef cubes and is guaranteed to be tender. The addition of red lentil and spinach adds texture, and added protein, plus it stretches a single package of ground beef to feed 6 to 8. Let 'winter' do its worst...with new boots and warming curry we're prepared for anything.

3 tablespoons canola oil 2 onions, finely chopped 2 teaspoons crushed garlic 1 heaped tablespoon curry powder OR Ashoka paste* 2 teaspoons each cumin, ground coriander & turmeric 3 x star anise (from spice shops) 500 grams ground beef 800 gram can chopped tomatoes 1 cup red lentils, rinsed but not soaked 1 large sweet potato, peeled and cubed (optional) 3 cups beef or onion stock (Ina Paarman is great) 2 cinnamon sticks or 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon 1 to 2 teaspoons salt (begin with one and taste before serving) 2 to 3 tablespoons tomato paste 4 large handfuls chopped baby spinach leaves (optional) 1: Using a large, wide based pot, heat the oil and fry the onions and garlic for a few minutes till softened. 2: Add the ground spices and allow to sizzle briefly then reduce heat, add the ground beef, and toss till lightly browned. 3: Add the remaining ingredients, bring to the boil, then turn heat to low and simmer covered, stirring occasionally, for 20-25 minutes till the mixture is thick but moist. 4: Remove cinnamon and star anise and serve over yellow Basmati rice. COOK'S NOTES: If using Ashoka curry paste - Curry Basic, Biryani, Tikka, Madras or Vindaloo - you'll enjoy even more flavor as these are amazing. Dish freezes well and serves 6 to 8.