1. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add onion; cook and stir until the onion has softened and turned translucent, about 5 minutes. Reduce heat to medium-low and continue cooking and stirring until the onion is very tender and dark brown, 15 to 20 minutes more.

2. Stir in the garlic, green chiles, ginger paste, cardamom seeds, cloves, and cinnamon sticks. Cook and stir until the garlic begins to brown, 3 to 5 more minutes.

3. Mix cumin, coriander, turmeric, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, and water into the onion mixture. Simmer until most of the water has evaporated and the mixture has thickened.

4. Stir in beef chuck pieces until coated with spice mixture; simmer over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until the beef is cooked through and tender, about 1 to 1 1/2 hours.

Editor's Note:

Use 5 to 6 small green chile peppers, such as Thai chiles; if they're unavailable, substitute 2 to 3 serrano chiles or to taste. Use rubber gloves when chopping chile peppers.

Slow Cooker Directions:

Follow steps 1 and 2. Place the onions, spice mixture, and 1/2 cup water in the slow cooker; reserve the remaining water. Add the beef and cook on Low for 8 to 10 hours or on High for 4 to 6 hours (you may brown the beef in the skillet first, if you wish). Add reserved water if you like a thinner consistency of curry.

Pressure Cooker Directions:

Cook the onions and spices in the pressure cooker instead of the skillet; add the beef in Step 4 and seal the lid. Bring to high pressure and cook until beef is tender, about 40 minutes. Allow pressure to release naturally after cooking.