I wholeheartedly agree with you, I may be slightly biased, but I make a show-stopping beef madras. PS here's the recipe if you wish to give it a go, I cook mine in the slow cooker for about 8 hours, the beef melts in your mouth.
Ingredients
2 tbsp olive oil
2 mediums onions, chopped
1 tbsp ginger, grated
4 cloves of garlic, crushed or chopped
2 large chillies, finely chopped with seeds
1 tbsp garam masala
1 tsp turmeric
1 tsp cayenne or chilli powder
1 tsp mustard seeds
1 tsp fenugreek seeds
1 tbsp madras curry powder
400g chopped tomatoes
2 tsp tomato puree
400 ml coconut milk
3 tbsp coriander, fresh
700g stewing steak, cut into chunks
1 tsp sugar
2 tbsp plain yoghurt
2 tbsp double cream
Salt
Method
STEP 1
Heat oil in a pan and add chopped onion; cook slowly until golden.
STEP 2
Add ginger, garlic, chilli and all the spices and fry for 1 minute.
STEP 3
Add chopped tomatoes, tomato puree, coconut milk and 2 tbsp coriander and stir together for a minute.
STEP 4
Add beef, stir and transfer everything to a slow cooker.
STEP 5
Cook on LOW for 6 hours.
STEP 6
Add sugar, yoghurt and cream (add slightly more or less according to taste and how hot you like your madras)
STEP 7
Serve with the remaining coriander sprinkled on top.
STEP 8
Taste even better if made the day before!
STEP 9
Serve with basmati rice and naan.