So black cardamom. It has an amazing smokey smell. You’ll want to keep smelling it. It’s used in garam masala, and I hear it’s a good addition to a bloody mary… Don’t put it in your chai, unless you want it smokey. Green cardamom is used there. If you’re wondering where to buy cardamom, Salam’s Market in Tempe is a good place.

With this recipe, you’re not going to be like, “Wo! Smokey flavor!” It’s more like, “Aww, there’s a delicate smokiness in the back of my mouth.” Even though you’d never actually say that. If you want to add more you can, but I wouldn’t exceed four pods.

RECIPE
1 chuck roast (about 2-2.5 lbs)
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp paprkia
salt and pepper
1-2 T oil
2-4 black cardamom pods
1 onion, sliced
1 yam, cut into pieces
1 carrot (optional), diced
1 dark beer (12 oz), warm
a few spears of broccolini

1. Rub the meat with the cumin, paprika, salt, and pepper.
2. Heat oil in a pan and brown the meat a few minutes on all sides.
3. Remove the meat and place in a crock pot, but keep the oil (you can also cook it in an oven around 200-250˚).
4. Saute the onions in the oil along with the carrot (if you want to use) and black cardamom pods. You want to saute the pods so they release their oils.
5. After a few minutes, transfer the onions, carrot, and black cardamom into the crock pot. Try to avoid pouring in any excess oil.
6. Add the yam, 3/4 of the beer, and 1/4 c of water. You want the meat to just peek up above the liquid, not be fully submerged. Depending on the shape of your crock pot, you might use the whole beer and a little more water…
7. Cook about 8 hours until tender and easily pulls apart. If you make it in the morning, it will be done when you come home from work. And what’s better then walking into that warm, homey smell of a roast.
8. To serve, smash the yams gently, steam the broccolini a few minutes in a pan with a little water, and top with the roast and some pan juices. I think roasts are actually better the next day after you refrigerate them and skim off the fat. They’re also easier to portion out when they are cold without falling apart. But it’s not like I wait a day.