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Catherine's Kitchen

Catherine Manning

Curried goat anyone?

MY FATHER SWORE that this story was true. We were never able to pinpoint who it applied to, but there was always this long dead airy fairy person in the background who it might have been! Let's call him George.

George came from a large family of eight children. A couple of them died along the way in childbirth, as was prevalent at that time. They lived on a large plantation and could and did do what they felt like doing at all times.

The eldest, Sam, had gone to live and work in the city and had carved a niche for himself in the merchant world. He had built a very profitable business and had made quite a name for himself as a business man.

George continued to live at home, not making much headway in life. After a while, his mother, much to Sam's dismay, suggested that Sam should take George under his wing in the city. Against his will, but to please his mother, Sam did so. He gave George easy jobs, tried to keep him out of mischief and gave him accommodation over the store. Sam also agreed to pay him a nominal stipend and to try to teach him the rudiments of finance.

George took to the city like a duck to water. Sam's store was situated on the 'better' side of the river and was surrounded by large trees and grassy areas where goats grazed happily during the day and George could be found napping regularly.

After the first month, payday arrived and George received his month's pay, $5.00. George had never been paid for doing nothing before before and was in seventh heaven. He ran outside cavorting and waving his money for all to see, chasing the goats in all directions. Finally he collapsed on the grass and began to daydream about what he would spend it on.

George dozed, until a gentle tug on his hand woke him and he opened his eyes to see his five dollars disappearing into a goat's mouth, the goat chewing happily. With a shout of dismay George grabbed the goat's head and tried to pry its mouth open, but the goat had swallowed the money. Four hours later George could be seen sitting disconsolately next to the goat, closely watching the tin he had tied to its tail.

CURRIED GOAT, ANYONE?

Curried Goat is very much a Jamaican dish; mutton may be substituted.
To serve 4.

Using the mixture of spices known commercially as "curry powder" is a way to speed things up. I have included a recipe for making your own curry paste which is usually what I do, more time consuming but nicer I think.

• 6-8 cardamom pods
• 6 whole cloves
• 2 whole star anise
• 2 × 2 inch stick cinnamon
• 2 TBS whole fennel seeds
• 1½ TBS whole cumin seeds
• 4 TBS ground coriander seeds
• 1½-2 tsp. chilli powder or to taste
• 1 TSB paprika

Grind all the seeds as finely as possible and add the coriander, chilli powder and paprika and you have your curry powder. I usually sieve it to clean it up, as if I grind the coriander seeds myself, they leave a lot of husk.

Blend half the powder with 4 TBS water and store the rest of the powder or store the balance of the paste in the fridge. Would also suggest that when you make your own curry powder that you are careful with the chillies called for in the recipe unless you like it super duper hot.

Now, onto the main recipe!

• 1½ lb. goat or mutton, trimmed and cut into 1 inch cubes.
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1 tsp. black pepper
• 1 TBS. curry powder
• 4 TBS. oil
• 1 large onion sliced
• 4 cloves garlic chopped
• 1¼ cups stock
• 2 chilies, de-seeded and chopped
• 2 potatoes, peeled and diced

Season the meat with salt, pepper and curry powder sifted together and rubbed into the cubes. Set aside for an hour. Heat oil in saucepan; add the meat, onion and garlic and brown lightly. Add the stock and chilies, stir, cover and simmer over a low heat till tender. Add the potatoes and simmer for a further 20 minutes till the potatoes are cooked and the gravy thickens.

Serve with rice and salad and your favourite red wine.

Bon Appetit!

Cath