Name: Kala Bhuna (Bengali Spiced Beef Stew)
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 2 h 45 min
Total time: 3 h 4 min
Yield: 6
Cuisine: Asian
Ingredients: 2 teaspoons black peppercorns; 5 blades mace, see notes; 1 1/2 teaspoons celery seeds; 2 1/2 tablespoons cumin seeds; 1 1/2 tablespoons coriander seeds; 8 cloves; 10 green cardamom pods; 2 black cardamom pods2 teaspoon black mustard seeds, if using canola oil instead of mustard oil below (see notes); 2 teaspoon black mustard seeds, if using canola oil instead of mustard oil below (see notes); 2 1/2 to 3 pounds boneless chuck, cut into 1 1/2 to 2-inch cubes; 2 medium red onions (16 ounces; 454 g total), halved and thinly sliced cross-wise, divided; 2 tablespoons ginger paste; 2 tablespoons garlic paste (see notes); 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon Kashmiri red chile powder; 1 teaspoon ground turmeric; 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg; 3 large bay leaves; 1 (2-inch) cinnamon stick; 6 Indian or Thai green chiles, split in half lengthwise, divided; 1 tablespoon (15 ml) distilled white vinegar; 1 tablespoon (9 g) Diamond Crystal kosher salt; for table salt, use half as much by volume or same weight; 1 cup (240 ml) mustard oil or canola oil, divided (see notes); 2 teaspoons panch phoron (see notes); 1 1/2 teaspoons dark soy sauce, such as Lee Kum Kee; 2 teaspoons garam masala, homemade or store-bought; Steamed rice, such as basmati or jasmine; 1/2 medium red onion, thinly sliced lengthwise; 1 English cucumber, thinly sliced cross-wise; Lime wedges; 2 to 3 Indian or Thai green chiles, thinly sliced cross-wise

1 Adjust oven rack to middle position and preheat to 300ºF (150ºC).

2 For the Spice Blend: In a small skillet or sauté pan set over medium heat, toast black peppercorns, mace, celery seeds, cumin seeds, coriander seeds, cloves, green cardamom pods, black cardamom pods, and, if using canola oil instead of mustard oil in step 3, black mustard seeds, tossing frequently, until the spices are warm, fragrant, and slightly browned, about 1 minute. Remove from heat, transfer to a small bowl, and let cool slightly, about 3 minutes. Transfer to a spice grinder or mortar and pestle and finely grind.

3 For the Kala Bhuna: In a 5- to 7-quart Dutch oven, combine beef, half the onions, ginger paste, garlic paste, red chile powder, turmeric, nutmeg, bay leaves, cinnamon stick, 3 green chiles, vinegar, salt, 3/4 cup mustard oil or canola oil, and all of the spice blend. Using your hands or a wooden spoon, toss beef and onions to evenly coat with spices. (Mixing with a clean hand instead of a spatula or wooden spoon will ensure the spices are well-dispersed).

4 Set the Dutch oven over high heat and cook, stirring often, to cook meat until evenly warmed through, 4 to 5 minutes. Reduce heat to low and cook, covered, until the meat releases a good amount of moisture, about 5 minutes.

5 Add 2/3 cup water, stir to combine, and bring to a simmer. Cover with lid, transfer to the oven and cook until meat is tender and knife pierces it easily without resistance, about two hours.

6 When meat has cooked for 1 1/2 hours, add remaining 1/4 cup mustard oil or canola oil and 2 teaspoons panch phoron to a small saucepan set over medium heat. When seeds begin to sizzle, reduce heat to low and add remaining onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until golden brown and tender, 20 to 25 minutes. Remove from heat; set aside.

7 Using oven mitts or kitchen towels, carefully transfer pot to stovetop. Add fried onions, dark soy sauce, and garam masala. Using a flexible, heat-proof spatula, stir and scrape the bottom and sides frequently, and cook, uncovered, until the sauce has reduced and darkened, and remaining sauce is thick and clings to the beef, 12 to 15 minutes. Skim off excess fat as needed. (When stirring and scraping, be sure not to break the chunks of beef.) Add the remaining three green chiles. Cover, remove from heat, and let rest until green chiles are fragrant, about 5 minutes. Serve.