Fragrant Beef Cooked In Mint And Spinach Leaves Recipes

GROUND BEEF WITH SPINACH AND FRESH MINT

Steps:

• For the green paste, bring 2 inches of water to a boil in a large saucepan over high heat. Add the spinach and stir. Cover and steam, stirring every now and then, until wilted, about 5 minutes. Puree in a blender (with any remaining water) along with the cilantro and mint leaves. Set aside.
• Heat the oil with the cinnamon stick, cardamom, and cloves in a large, heavy-bottomed casserole over medium-high heat and cook, stirring, until the cinnamon unfurls, about 2 minutes.
• Add the garlic and ginger and cook stirring, 1 minute. Add the onion, green chile, and salt and cook, stirring, until the onion begins to brown around the edges, 8-10 minutes.
• Stir in the beef and black pepper and cook, stirring, 5 minutes. Add the yogurt 2 tablespoons at a time and stir well after each addition. Simmer gently, stirring every now and then, for 5 minutes. Add the green paste, bring to a boil, reduce the heat and simmer 5 more minutes.
• Stir in the garam masala and cook 1 more minute. Taste for salt, Serve hot.

FRAGRANT BEEF COOKED IN MINT AND SPINACH

Steps:

• In a large bowl, mix the five-spice powder, curry, turmeric, sugar, soy sauce, lemongrass, garlic, pepper and salt. Add the beef and pork and mix well. Set aside to marinate for 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, bring a kettle half full of water to a boil. Place the mint in a mesh strainer and dip the strainer into the boiling water for 30 seconds. Immediately plunge the leaves into a bowl of cold water.
• Bring the water back to a boil and add the spinach. Cook for 30 seconds, or until just wilted and bright green. Immediately drain the leaves and plunge them into a bowl of cold water. When the spinach and mint are cool, drain and pat dry with paper towels.
• Preheat the broiler. Form the meat into balls a little smaller than golf balls. (You should have about 32.) Elongate the balls slightly into football shapes. Press 5 or 6 mint leaves over the surface of each piece and wrap in a spinach leaf.
• Lightly oil a baking sheet, place the wrapped meat on it and broil until the leaves are evenly browned and the meat is cooked through, 6 to 7 minutes. Serve hot with spicy star-fruit salad (see recipe).