Beef Porridge (Beef Kanji)

Beef kanji (congee) is one of my favorites. This is made of milky rice boiled with garlic, beef and flavoured with coconut milk. This porridge is famous among Muslims during the month of fasting. It is also simple comfort food for anyone.

(serves 6-8)

Ingredients

300g beef ( with bones preferably chopped into small pieces. I used ox tail part. Can use ribs too)

1 cup white Raw rice 

3 cups of water 

2 teaspoons of Fenugreek seeds

6 garlic pods (or more if you like)

3 cardamom 

3 cloves

A small cinnamon stick

2 tablespoon of vegetable oil

1 medium sized onion (finely chopped)

2 green chilies (slit)

1 small tomato (finely chopped)

1 tsp ginger garlic paste

1/4 tsp turmeric 

1/2 teaspoon chilli powder 

1 teaspoon cumin powder

1/2 teaspoon coriander powder 

Curry leaves (optional)

Salt as per taste

1 cup thick coconut milk

A piece of chicken soup cube (optional)

Directions

1. Wash the rice and beef well separately and keep aside.

2. In a large saucepan, add the rice and add 1 tsp salt, Fenugreek seeds, cardamom, cloves, cinnamon and garlic pods. Cook the rice in medium heat and then after 5 minutes reduce the heat and cook the rice well. 

3. Meanwhile, heat oil in a pressure cooker or any pan and add the curry leaves, chopped onions, green chilies, ginger garlic paste and saute. The add the chopped tomatoes. Next add the spices and the beef. Add salt to taste with 1 cup water. Mix well. Close and cook for 10-15 minutes or until the beef is cooked enough, in medium flame.

5. Now add the beef mixture to the rice and mix well. Add soup cube at this stage if you want to. Close the rice and cook in low heat until the rice is incorporated with the beef. 

6. When the kanji is ready, add the thick coconut milk and mix well. Increase the heat to high until the kanji starts to boil with bubbles. Switch off flame once it started boiling. (Do not cook long after adding coconut milk)

7. Beef Kanji is ready! 

Notes:
If you want to store kanji for the next day, take off some kanji out before adding coconut milk and refrigerate it. When about to serve, put coconut milk and boil it and serve.