I learnt this recipe from my khala (maternal aunt) out of necessity after I moved to Canada and craved one of my all time favorite dishes. Like all great recipes, it’s amazingly simple. It’s called “Gosht Bhar” because once upon a time it was used as a filling for elaborate dishes such a whole grilled chicken and goat. I am ofcourse running no royal kitchen and will share the easy recipe of the “Gosht Bhar” that’s simply fried beef.

What you need:

1. 1 kg veal meat (for best results ask your butcher for brisket cut that’s pasanday ka ghost in urdu)
2. 1 tablespoon lemon juice
3. Salt to taste
4. Chilli Powder to taste
5. One teaspoon Turmeric (haldi) 
6. 2 tomatoes cut in cubes
7. two tablespoons ginger and garlic paste
8. One teaspoon whole cumin (zeera)
9. 2 tablespoon cooking oil (I use avacado oil but you can use any)
10. Fries and one lemon cubed- optional to add for serving

How to make it:

1. Add the meat in a big pot with one tablespoon ginger and garlic paste, salt, chilli powder with 2 cups boiling water.
2. Let it cook on medium heat for around two hours. Keep adjusting the water level. The objective is that when the meat is done, all the water has dried with it.
3. Let the meat cool a bit and now shred it in pieces. You can use your food processor to chop roughly. I just use my own fingers (thinking of some not-so-pleasant people in my life and take it out on the meat). I feel the texture is amazing when I use my own hands.
4. Heat some oil in a wide skillet
5. Now add the cumin and after a second add the ginger garlic paste. Let it cook for a minute. Keep stirring.
6. Add salt, turmeric and chilli powder. Keep stirring so that it doesn’t burn. Cook for 20-30 seconds.
7. Now add the tomatoes cut in cubes and wait till it becomes a paste
8. Stir in the shredded beef. Mix and cook for another 2-3 minutes.
9. Garnish with lemon juice, cut lemon pieces or chopped coriander.
10. Add fries if you’re feeling extra indulgent.

How to eat:

This dish goes amazingly well with simple daal-chawal (lentils and rice). You can also use it as a filling for your sandwich. I have also served it with simple patar-pulao (Rice with peas).

More ideas:

I always make a bigger batch and after step 3, freeze the extra portions and store away. That way on a day I don’t feel like cooking, I just unfreeze and fry (Step 4-10) and have a simple yummy dish ready.

Instant Pot Version

Recently I made this recipe with my Instant Pot. It was super simple and turned out great!

• Add the meat in the Instant Pot with one tablespoon ginger and garlic paste, salt, chilli powder with 1/2 cup water. Cook on High Pressure Manual Mode for 25 minutes. Release the pressure and open the lid. If there is water with the meat, put on Saute mode and dry the water. Now smash the meat in shreds with the help of a wooden spoon.
• Follow steps 4-10 from the recipe above.

Let me know how you like this one!