Cut meat and vegetables into bite size pieces.
Heat oil in a pot, add meat and brown in oil. Take the meat out.
In the same pot, fry onions for 8 minutes. Add carrots and potatoes, then add the cooked meat.
Add water to the pot. After it boils, skim any fat, and reduce heat to low. Cover and cook for 45 minutes until the meat becomes tender. If using a pressure cooker, cook for 15 minutes.
Remove from heat and add curry sauce mix. Stir well so the pieces of the mix dissolve.
If you'd like to use the optional seasonings above, now add the ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, apricot jam, and soy sauce. Let simmer for 10-15 minutes (cook longer if you'd like it thicker).
If you'd like to add the optional curry powder, stir it in just before serving.
Pour the curry over rice.