Sunday, March 10, 2013

The Most Delicious Meat Cubes

Last week I got a killer deal on a nine pound pork shoulder.  When I came home from the store I picked three different recipes calling for pork shoulder, broke down the meat, and separated it all into different containers.  This recipe, for the Most Delicious Meat Cubes, was the first recipe on my list.  I've been cooking Madhur Jaffrey's recipes for almost six months now and this recipe has been on my to-do list the entire time.  After all, how can you resist a recipe called "The Most Delicious Meat Cubes"?

Let me just go ahead and say right now, these really are the most delicious meat cubes ever!  They are tender, succulent, crispy on the edges, and coated in all kinds of delicious flavor.  We were instantly sorry that we only reserved one pound of pork shoulder for this recipe and decided that next time, very soon, we will make this recipe and triple it.  

I really do encourage everyone to make these.  My husband, who can be a harsh critic, gave them a 10+.  He isn't the biggest fan of Indian cuisine, but he thought these were simply irresistible.  There really aren't any words that would do these little nuggets the justice they deserve.  Please make them and taste for yourself!

The Most Delicious Meat Cubes
Adapted from Quick & Easy Indian Cooking
by Madhur Jaffrey
Serves 1-2

3 tablespoons vegetable oil
1/2-inch piece fresh ginger, peeled and very finely chopped
4 cloves garlic, peeled and very finely chopped
15 fresh or dried curry leaves, if available*
1 pound boned shoulder of lamb or pork, cut into 1-inch cubes
2 teaspoons store-bought garam masala*
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon ground turmeric*
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 fresh, hot green chile, finely sliced
1/2 teaspoon salt or to taste
freshly ground black pepper
1-1/2 - 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice

*Notes: I am unable to find curry leaves so I did not use them in this recipe.  I also held back on the amount of garam masala, using only about 1 teaspoon instead of the two called for.  And, finally, we do not care for turmeric so I omitted it all together.

Put the oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat.  When the oil is hot, put in the ginger, garlic, and curry leaves (if using).  Stir.  When the garlic starts to brown, put in the meat.  Stir once or twice and turn the heat to medium-low.  Now put in the garam masala, cumin, turmeric, cayenne pepper, green chile, and salt.  Stir to mix.  Add 3/4 cup water and cover tightly.  Cook over low heat for about 50 minutes, opening the lid every so often to make sure you have enough liquid.  After 50 minutes, cook, uncovered, over high heat until all the liquid has gone and the meat has browned a bit.  Stir as you do this.  Then stir in lots of freshly ground black pepper and the lemon juice.  Serve over rice, Indian mashed potatoes, plain boiled potatoes, or with Indian breads. 
Theme: Potluck!


15 comments:

  1. Yes, I think I'd have to try a recipe with a title like this. I can see it now..."What's for dinner?" "The Most Delicious Meat Cubes." "What kind of meat cubes?" "The most delicious meat cubes."

    Your close-up shot captures the crispy edges beautifully. If it wasn't for cooking MJ recipes, I never would have discovered how much I like garam masala (and how much I dislike turmeric--LOL!)

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  2. Hah! I keep looking at this recipe and reminding myself that I don't eat meat anymore and your pictures and description are making it much harder. ;-) These do look fabulous--glad you finally made them.

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    1. I know this is an old post, but I look at it grateful that I can make it with a meat substitute, seitan. I can't imagine eating meat. No criticism to those who do, but there are options for those who dont.

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  3. What a perfect name to catch my attention Kim! When we enjoy beef on the menu, it's recipes such as this that scream delicious indeed!

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  4. The name of the recipe certainly calls for attention! Certainly looks delicious! Would love to give this a try one of these days! Thank you for sharing!

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  5. Rarely do such hyperbolic recipe titles actually correlate with seriously delicious food...but I'm so glad this one did!

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  6. meat cubes, i love it! i'm definitely trying this, it sounds so fragrant and wonderfully flavored. great find on the pork shoulder too, don't you love it!

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  7. I really enjoy the complexities of Indian spices...There is an Indian store not to far from where I work that I could probably find the dried curry leaves. My husband would probably really enjoy this dish too. Thanks for sharing it.

    Velva

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    1. if you have an Indian grocer, you can likely find fresh curry leaves. Just ask. :)

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  8. Makes me smile - how could you possibly go past a dish called Most Delicious Meat Cubes. They look every bit as delicious as they sound - definitely a dish I would enjoy.

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  9. But I HATE pork shoulder! ha ha ha ha, oh I just had to try to say that with a straight face. These look great, kind of like an Indian carnitas with the crispiness. I'll have to use one of the two pork butts I have for next weekend for this.

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  10. Aaah, all the spices left in the pot are starting to burn as I try to crisp the meat!!

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  11. Most delicious indeed! Mine didn't get very crispy (maybe something to do with the fact I doubled the batch?), but I love the flavor. Not too pricey, either, as I always have Indian spices on hand! :)

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  12. I made these with lamb and they were out of this world delish! Everyone LOVED them!!!!

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