Beef and Onion Curry

Name: Beef and Onion Curry
Ingredients: 2 lbs Beef; 2 cups onion, thinly sliced (divided); 2-3 cinnamon sticks, about 1 inch each; 3-4 green cardamom; 4-5 black peppercorn; ½ teaspoon red chili powder; 1 tablespoon coriander powder; 1 tablespoon cumin powder; 1½ tablespoon ginger paste; 1½ tablespoon garlic paste; 1-2 bay leaves; 1 teaspoon turmeric powder; ½ cup + 1 tablespoon oil; Salt, according to taste.; ¼ cup rice flour; ¼ teaspoon panch phoron (a whole spice blend); 1 teaspoon fennel seed powder