Taking a Fast Cut

Sometimes something as simple as changing the cut of meat in a recipe can make the difference between an hour and a half of cooking to dinner on the table in about 20 minutes.

The spicy Indian dish Beef Vindaloo is usually made with chunks of stew meat that need to be simmered at least an hour. But by switching to thinly sliced top sirloin, about 10 minutes of cooking time is all that’s needed. Don’t let the ingredient list of this version discourage you--it really takes no time at all to get together.

Serve the beef with basmati rice and a cool raita to temper the beef’s heat.

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Beef Vindaloo

Active Work and Total Preparation Time: 20 minutes

Serve this over basmati rice.

1 pound top sirloin

2 teaspoons ground coriander

1 teaspoon ground cumin

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon turmeric

1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 tablespoons butter

1/4 cup minced shallots

4 cloves garlic, minced

2 teaspoons minced ginger root

1 tablespoon brown sugar

2 teaspoons vinegar

1 cup beef broth

* Slice the beef as thinly as possible, then set it aside.

* Combine the coriander, cumin, cinnamon, turmeric, cayenne and the salt in a small bowl. Set aside.

* Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the shallots and cook, stirring until golden brown, about 2 minutes. Add the garlic and the ginger and cook, stirring until the mixture is very fragrant, about 1 to 2 minutes. Add the combined spices and cook 1 minute. Then add the beef, brown sugar, vinegar and beef broth. Bring to a simmer and cook until the flavors are well blended, 6 to 8 minutes.

4 servings. Each serving: 212 calories; 748 mg sodium; 66 mg cholesterol; 12 grams fat; 7 grams carbohydrates; 19 grams protein; 0.43 gram fiber.

Cucumber Mint Raita

Active Work and Total Time: 5 minutes

1 cucumber

1 cup plain yogurt

Salt

2 teaspoons minced mint leaves

* Peel, seed and grate the cucumber. Combine it and the yogurt in a small bowl. Add salt to taste and the mint. Chill the raita until ready to serve.

1 1/2 cups. Each 1/4 cup: 27 calories; 68 mg sodium; 5 mg cholesterol; 1 gram fat; 2 grams carbohydrates; 2 grams protein; 0.10 gram fiber.

MENU

Beef Vindaloo

Basmati Rice

Cucumber Mint Raita

INGREDIENTS

STAPLES

Brown Sugar

Butter

Cayenne pepper

Cinnamon

Coriander

Cumin

Garlic

Ginger

Shallots

Turmeric

Vinegar

SHOPPING LIST

Basmati rice

1 can beef broth

1 cucumber

1 bunch mint

1 pound top sirloin

1 (8-ounce) container plain yogurt

GAME PLAN

30 minutes before: Peel, seed and grate cucumber. Stir into yogurt with salt and chill until needed.

25 minutes before: Make rice.

20 minutes before: Make vindaloo.