Beef Meat masala

Dear Leo,

About the Kerala meat-masala...

Even though Raphael's wife Tessy so graciously explained to me the process/method for cooking the special Keala beef dish, my memory being what it is I did not want to take chances - and like I am often inclined to do, looked up the internet just for back-up and found what appeared to be exactly the recipe I wanted. The dish was referred to as "ullartiyattu" - and had quite a few variations, so the only improvisation I resorted to was the use of yoghurt too to marinate the meat in along with the special masala powder, and grated coconut instead of the cut strips of coconut the Keralites use in this dish.

The attachment to this mail has the recipe that I used - only, instead of the raw ingredients, I used Tessy's meat-masala powder - the recipe for which I have also reproduced below the internet recipe in the attachment.

For the record, the dish I cooked with Tessy's powder which she had so kindly shared with me, was a great hit - my daughter and son-in-law could not have enough of it. So much so, I had to ask Tessy for the recipe for the powder, which my sister was able to help me prepare at her place in Fairfield - and now both my daughter and sister have sufficient stock of the powder. And Indira my daughter got me to cook it again with the new powder for her table plus for the tupperware in the freezer for times when I am gone back to my base. Needless to say, the recipe for the powder and the dish I cooked a second time have remained a hit - just to Raphael's fears that I may possibly have botched it.

Thanks are of course due only to Tessy...

Take care

Maxie
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From: Raphael Maliakal to Leo D'Cunha
Date: 31 January 2010 19:13
Subject: Meat masala

Maxie has the recipe for the masala. He also has instructions to make the beef curry in dried form. Maxie is experimenting with it in Trumbul CT. He will probably improve (or ruin) it in London next week. Once he has perfected it, he should send all details to you. If there are problems, then I will ask Tessy to send the original recipe and instructions.
 
Let us not get distracted by the masala for now. Let us focus on the reunion. I am looking forward to a friendly, fun get together.
 
I clearly remember you and Harry coming for a visit to Hind Motors. I tried to impress you by taking you around the plant. We used to make 100 cars and about 20 bedford trucks per day at that time.
Three years ago I went to calcutta and made a brief stop at Hind Motors.
I am looking forward to seeing you.
 
Sincerely 

Raphael Maliakal

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From: Leo D'Cunha to Raphael Maliakal
Date: Sun, 31 Jan 2010   18:48 (+5.30)

hi raphael

  the last we met was at calcutta when harry came over, to collect an ambassador car.  i recall u showed us around the hm plants at uttarpara.  do u recall this?  i worked for union carbide back then.

  so now u r in boston, do u like it?  i look fwd to seeing u at the reunion.  but the reason i am mailing u, is that maxie was raving about a meat masala recipe tessie gave him.  i was wondering if tessie wd share this with us.  i am a foodie and like to experiment.  we know little of kerala food.

  can't believe it 50 yrs already.  how time flies!!   ....   leo

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Raphael Maliakal to Arun & Leo (and copied to all)

Sent: Friday, January 29, 2010 7:58 PM

Maxwell asked me if Mangalore (Head Quarters) has finalized the dates for the reunion. I told him that the dates are final and I have already booked the tickets. I will be in Mangalore on 18, 19, and 20.
I am looking forward to HQ sending the program details. I am expecting Stany, Harry and Walter to lead this effort, since I am giving most of the credit to them for initiating this effort. Off course Arun and Maxwell have contributed heavily to the chatter.
 
Sincerely 

Raphael Maliakal