beef mince | Fired Up Cooking SA

Sometimes, when life gets gets really hectic, a quick and easy meal that just comes together easily and tastes delicious is such a bonus.

I came up with this beef mince combination the other evening, and it was tasty, economical, healthy and all in one pot – what more could one ask for on a busy week-day evening!

The flavours of slightly spicy beef and vegetables, (which give a slight nod to Morrocco for inspiration) and chickpeas all worked together so well, that I will definitely be making it again.

I served it with cous cous, which was very good, but it would also be great on rice, or with some fresh, hot ciabatta bread – oh yum!

Here’s the recipe, a Fired Up Cooking SA original:

Tasty Mince with Chickpeas (serve 4-6)

Oil for frying

1 large onion, chopped

1 brinjal, cubed

2 cloves of garlic, crushed

500 grs beef mince

2 baby marrows, sliced

1 small punnet baby sweetcorn

a handful fresh chopped coriander leaves

1 teaspoon ground cumin

1 teaspoon ground coriander

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon ginger

salt and freshly ground pepper

1 sachet tomato paste (3-4 tablespoons)

Salt the cubed brinjals, set a side for few minutes
Heat the oil in a heavy-based pot, and fry the onions until transparent
Add the garlic, stir well
Rinse and dry the brinjals, add to the onions and garlic, fry until softened
Add the beef mince (you may need to add a little more oil), and fry until browned
Break the sweetcorn into chunks, and add to the meat along with the baby marrows, stirring and frying a little more
Add the spices and seasoning, and the tomato paste
Stir through the chopped coriander
Turn down the heat, and leave to simmer for a few minutes, adding a little water if it seems to be catching, so that it doesn’t burn
Drain and rinse the tin of chickpeas, add them just before serving and heat through thoroughly
Check the seasoning, and serve