GRANNY'S MALAYSIAN MEATBALL CURRY

Steps:

• Prepare all ingredients before commencing to cook.
• In a medium-large bowl, combine the beef, breadcrumbs, egg, chopped spring onion and cilantro, with salt and pepper to taste, and place to one side.
• Grind onion, garlic and ginger to a paste with a stick blender or in a small food processor.
• In a small bowl, combine Malaysian curry powder, chili powder, ground cloves and a little water, to make a paste.
• Heat the oil over a medium-high flame in a wok, add onion paste, and stir-fry for about 5 minutes.
• Add the curry paste, star anise, cloves, curry leaves, reduce heat to medium, and stir fry until quite toasted and the oil starts to ooze out: this can take 5 - 10 minutes, but be careful not to burn.
• Add coconut milk and bring slowly to the boil.
• While curry liquid is boiling start making and dropping in bite sized meatballs - stop occasionally and stir gently.
• When all meatballs have been added, add tomato paste and salt to taste.
• Simmer, covered, on medium heat for 10 minutes, adding a little extra water as necessary.
• Add potato and simmer uncovered for another 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, again adding a little water if necessary.
• Serve with bread, roti chani, roti jala or steamed rice.