Expert: Christopher S. Connolly - 12/6/2001

Question
Ihave lost a recipe for a chipped beef appetizer--served hot--had green peppers, onions, curry and was in a cream cheese and/or sour cream sauce--very good and a bit different--would be wonderful if you could help for a weekend party.  Interesting--I majored in Anthropology and Sociology--50 million years ago--still fascinates me--thanks for any help.

Answer
Judy-
    I have never actually eaten chipped beef, but I think I can imagine what it would be like, so I'll try to help you.
    I would start with a piece of chuck.  Place it in a shallow pan with a little water or light beer(1/4th inch) and seal tightly with foil.  I would add some seasoning at this time as well...the curry powder, a few cloves of garlic, and a cinnamon stick.  Toss in some hot peppers if you like spice.  Place in an oven at 300 for 4 hours or so, until it is falling apart.
    Dice the beef, and stir in some sour cream, sauteed onion and bell pepper.  Any juice in the pan should be reduced to a syrup, and stirred in as well.  When this mixture is cool(or at least not hot), make a custard of 1 egg per cup of heavy cream, and stirr in.  Put this mixture in a pan, and toss in the oven for around an hour at 300 prior to service.  If you wanted, you could finish it with some cheese(dry jack would work) and broil to form a crust.  Serve it with toasted bread.
    Sorry that I cannot be more specific...if I am totally off base, let me know.
       -Chris