When I was growing up in Jamaica, Curry Goat was a special dish made for parties and celebrations. It wasn’t something you’d eat every day. Today, curry goat is still special in my house compared to Curry Chicken, which I make all the time. For those of you who have never tried it, it’s a must-have Jamaican recipe. When cooked right, you’ll find it more tender and flavourful than any beef stew you ever had.
Jamaica’s curry dishes are the remnants of the island’s Indian population. After slavery was abolished on the island, almost 40,000 people came from India to work on plantations as indentured workers. Over generations most intermarried with the larger African population, so Jamaica’s Indian community today is tiny in comparison. However, their influence in Jamaican cuisine lives on in dishes like curry goat.
Depending on where you live, you may have to go to a butcher to find goat meat. But in communities with large ethnic populations you may even find it at your local supermarket. I get mine at a local West Indian grocer, where they chop it into cubes (bones still in) perfect for making curry goat!
Curry Goat Ingredients
3 lbs Goat meat, chopped in cubes (get it at OJA Express)
2 tsp Salt
1 tsp Black pepper
5-6 Tbsp Curry Powder
1 large Onion, sliced
4-6 cloves Garlic, minced
1 Scotch bonnet Pepper, slice and discard seeds (handle with care)
4 Tbsp Cooking oil
4 cups boiling Water
1 large sprig Thyme
1 medium Onion, chopped
3 medium Potatoes, each cut in 3 pieces
1 Tbsp Tomato ketchup
Season Meat
Mix together goat meat, salt, black pepper, 4 Tbsp curry powder, 1 large onion sliced, garlic, Scotch bonnet pepper. Please in the fridge overnight (or at least 5 hours) to marinate.
Instructions
1. Remove the sliced onions and scotch bonnet pepper from the bowl of marinated goat meat and set aside.
2. Heat cooking oil in large saucepan on High. Place goat meat in pan and brown to seal in juices.
3. Once the meat is browned add thyme and 2 cups of boiling water; cover, lower heat to Medium-Low and simmer for about 1 hour
4. Chop 1 medium onion and add to pot along with the sliced onion and Scotch bonnet pepper that was set aside earlier
5. Add 2 cups of boiling water and bring to a boil
5. Taste and remove Scotch bonnet pepper based on your taste; add more curry powder to taste
6. Add potatoes and tomato ketchup; simmer on low heat for 1/2 hour, or until the meat is falling off the bone
Serve with white rice and a green salad
Video Lesson: Gold Members click below to watch us make this recipe step by step.
