Yesterday night I made Ka’ree, a very traditional meal. The best way I can describe Ka’ree is it’s a tomato (beef or chicken) stew to which some spices and veggies are added. When I was younger, my mom made this type of ethnic dish, (beef stew) around once to twice a week. One of my favorites has always been Ka’ree. I love the deliciousness of the curry, the hidden spice in the potato and what it adds to the tomato sauce, as well as the tender beef (or chicken) that shreds into the heated stew.
Ingredients
0.75-1lb chuck roast or chuck beef steak or chicken
4-5 large potatoes
an onion, medium-large sized (chopped)
6oz tomato paste
15oz tomato sauce
4-6 cups of water (for sauce)
2-3 tbsp of curry spice
1 tbsp vinegar
2 tbsns lemon juice
1 tspn dried lime (or Noomi Basra)–this is optional
1 tbsp oil
Kosher salt or table salt (I like to use a little of both!)–1 – 2 teaspoons
Black pepper–1-2 teaspoons is fine
chopped garlic cloves (no more than 2-3 chopped cloves, or it may be too hott)
2-4 cups cooked brown rice or long grain wild rice (I steer clear of white)!
First, you cook the meat: Cut the meat into cubes ( I used beef chuck steak) and you set it aside. I also used extra virgin olive oil (2 tbspns) and dashed the meat with Kosher salt and ground pepper to cook.
Oh, I also included the chopped garlic cloves before I started cooking!🧄
After you’re done cooking set the meat aside. Now, use the same pan to carmelize the onions. Just cook them in an additional tblspn of extra virgin olive oil (classic olive oil is ok too) until they turn slightly brown. Try not to use vegetable oil; not the healthiest choice by far.
Next you add the curry (2-3 tbspns), salt, pepper, and tomato paste TO THE ONION MIX. Use the same pot (use a big one). The stew will eventually rise. AFTER you add the curry, 6 oz. tomato paste and 1-2 tspns of salt and pepper (each) to the pot, the pot will start to burn a little. The ingredients will brown. That is OK. It’s normal. See below.
You can see that once I added the tomato paste, curry, salt and pepper I mixed them together some (you can just add a dash of salt and pepper). After this you have to add the tblspn of vinegar. Be careful. It will smoke. Also have all ingredients ready to go at this point you have to work fast. As soon as the vinegar makes this mixture bubble, add the TOMATO SAUCE, 15 oz. can. This will stop the splash from the vinegar!🥫
Finally, add the potatoes and beef to combine all together. Add everything slowly, the water, little by little, gently add beef and potatoes. Combine all together.
You can even add an additional 2-4 cups of water depending on how much stew you want to have. You can use more salt and pepper. Table salt is fine to use at this point. I used kosher salt when I cooked the meat. Spice it how you would like, but don’t make it too salty. Keep in mind if it is under salted you can always add more later. You don’t want to use too much salt and ruin all your hard work!
Keep on high throughout let it come to a boil. Than reduce heat to medium high. Cover with a lid. Let it cook at least twenty minutes. Stir in between. Check on it. Once the potatoes are tender the stew is done. This can take anywhere from 40 min.-1 hr. You have to check on it regularly. Stir. Take a potato out, cut it with a fork, see if it’s tender (cooked), taste it, spice a little! Lol You get the idea. Be safe. And prepared. 🍅🥩🥔🧅🍛🧄
Oops… and I almost forgot—don’t forget to cook the rice! Ka’ree is put over a bed of rice. Here I have cooked 4 cups of brown rice.🍚🌾 And below is also a photo of the finished product! Have fun! There will be lots of leftover!😄
About Zina
Zina Hermez has authored the best-selling book, Not Without God: A Story of Survival. She’s been featured in numerous articles, guest posts, podcasts, websites, newsletters, and magazines. She’s recently been featured on the Intuitive Edge podcast! She’s also been on ESPN’s “Solutions from the Huddle” broadcast and on Grace and Truth Radio World! Zina’s written several hundred articles and has taught thousands of students of all ages from many different backgrounds and cultures. She’s appeared in Christianity Today, the Suite T blog, and the Southern Writers magazine among other places. She writes on faith, science, and overcoming adversity. She also writes on health and diet and loves to help others. Her latest book, Not Without God: Hope In the Storm is live and for sale! You can order your copy here: https://www.amazon.com/Not-Without-God-Hope-Storm-ebook/dp/B09P9T2DLT
This was one of my main dishes while doing the Mediterranean diet back in November, and it’s still great to eat this way. Brown rice (if you’re going to have a grain, make it brown or whole wheat, for bread). Of course, there are other healthier grains, but brown rice and wheat bread were my go tos while I was on the Mediterranean diet. You may have learned that skin on chicken is bad for you, but the latest findings show that some skin on chicken is OK to have at least once in a while. It’s got Omega 3 fatty acids, which are good for your heart. And I don’t mean you should have at it and order Kentucky Fried Chicken or anything. All restaurant food can be more damaging than you realize. Heated ‘oil,’ especially vegetable oil and canola is a leading cause of obesity and diabetes in this country. You can see I have cooked homemade–and this piece of chicken thigh (w/skin) is 239 calories, 4 oz. The 1/2 cup of brown rice is 180 calories and the ‘mixed veggies,’ half-cup, are only 35 calories! It’s a win-win-win! And you’re getting in some ‘low’ or healthier carbs. Carbs to watch out for: sugary stuff, processed, cookies, TV dinner type, etc. Another note: I added a teaspoon of extra virgin olive oil to the rice AND the veggies and sprinkled them with KOSHER salt and some black ground pepper. Kosher salt–definitely the healthier option! Total calories in this meal: 454 calories (not including drinks or condiments). I’ve been thinking of writing a healthy cookbook someday, and this would definitely be a meal I add!😃🍽️🌾
Nowadays you would think I were a diabetic or living in an old folk home with the meals I’m preparing. I am not a diabetic, and I don’t live in a home/rehab facility. But here’s the thing: low salt, ‘brown’ rice (vs. white), a simple 4 oz. piece of shredded chicken and raw tomatoes are all healthy choices! As a matter of fact, we are all at risk for diabetes and heart disease (they are the number one diseases in this country); thus, we should eat as if we have them already. That means take out the McDonald’s, pizza orders, restaurant food cooked heavily in canola, and all the ‘junk’ food and greasy stuff. If you eat these items learn to eat them very minimally! I use the My Fitness pal app to monitor calories, steps, etc. Did you know the food you consume can actually make you slimmer? This simple lunch I had made me feel full. I often use olive oil, some salt, or as you can see-ketchup as a condiment. Black pepper is great. I’m not a huge garlic fan unless it’s minced and worked into gourmet dishes. I am eating healthier these days and achieving optimal health. Contact me for details if you want to get on the same path. I am offering free 15 minute consultations.
Zina Hermez 