No recipe brings more memories of my childhood than Curry Goat. My mother would prepare this for special occasions – like my birthday! Jamaican curry goat has its origins from East Indians who used to work as indentured workers on the island. Over time, curry goat has become one of the major examples of true Jamaican cuisine. The slow cooking of fresh goat meat allows all the juices in the curry to be retained, making the meat impossibly tender and very delicious. Curry Goat is one of the best meals for celebrating special times and special guests in your home.

 Ingredients

For marinating the meat:

• 3 pounds Goat meat, cut medium-sized
• 5-6 tablespoons curry powder
• 1 Onion, sliced
• 5-6 garlic cloves, peeled and minced
• 1 Scotch bonnet pepper (Bonney pepper), sliced and de-seeded

For preparing the curry:

• 4-5 tablespoons Oil, for cooking
• 4 cups water, boiling temperature
• 1 spring Thyme
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2-3 Potatoes, peeled and largely cut
• 1 tablespoon, Tomato sauce (Ketchup)
• Salt and Black pepper, as per taste

Directions-

Meat marination –

1. Take a large mixing bowl and combine the goat meat along with curry powder, sliced onions and minced garlic.
2. Add the scotch bonnet peppers and sprinkle some salt and pepper in it.
3. Mix well and place it in the refrigerator for a minimum of 5-6 hours, or preferably overnight.

Curry Preparation –

1. Once the meat has marinated sufficiently, take it out from the refrigerator and remove the onions and bonnet peppers from it and keep them aside.
2. Place a large saucepan over high heat and pour some oil in it. Once the oil is sufficiently hot, put the marinated meat and let it cook till it turns brown, keep stirring occasionally.
3. As the meat turns brown, add some thyme and pour in the hot water. Cook it covered over medium to low heat for around an hour or so.
4. Meanwhile, chop a single medium sized onion and add it to the cooking meat along with the bonnet peppers and sliced onions (from the marinade).
5. Pour in some more water and let it boil. Once the meat curry starts to boil, add the cut potatoes along with the ketchup and let it cook over reduced heat for 30-40 minutes till the meat is thoroughly cooked.
6. Once done, remove the bonnet peppers and serve hot.

Note –

• The level of spices can be adjusted as per the taste.
• More curry powder can be added, if needed.
• This dish goes well with white rice.