Spiced beef with bashed beans
This is fine comfort food but definitely of the non-stodgy variety. For the best results, choose lean beef steak, ideally minced fairly coarsely.
Prep 10mins Cook 20mins Servs 2
Method
Put a large frying pan over a medium-high heat.
Add the oil and, when hot, crumble in the mince.
Fry without turning for a couple of minutes to allow some good browning, then turn and stir and fry for about 5 minutes until all of the mince has lost its raw look.
Add the garlic, cumin and coriander seeds, chilli flakes and some salt and pepper.
Cook for about 10 minutes more, stirring frequently to distribute the spices and brown the mince all over.
If there is any excess fat, pour it off.
Add the paprika, cook for a further 2 minutes, until the beef is beginning to get crispy, then take the pan off the heat.
Meanwhile, for the bashed beans, put the oil in a saucepan over a low heat.
Add the sliced garlic and cook, stirring, for 1–2 minutes or until it is just starting to colour.
Add the beans and a little salt and pepper.
Cook for a couple of minutes, then add the stock or water and bring to a simmer.
Simmer for a couple of minutes more then take off the heat.
Give the beans a rough bashing in the pan with a potato masher to create a coarse-textured mash, with some whole beans retained.
Add a little more liquid if it seems very dry.
Taste and add more salt or pepper if needed.
Divide the lettuce leaves between serving plates or bowls, spoon over some warm bashed beans and top with the spicy beef.
Add a good spritz of lime or lemon and a scattering of coriander or parsley and serve, with lime or lemon wedges.
Serving suggestions
Make up a rough guacamole by mashing 2 ripe avocados in a bowl with a trickle of oil, a pinch of chilli flakes, some roughly chopped coriander if you have some, a little salt and pepper and a generous squeeze of lime.
Serve the mince, beans and guacamole on, or with, a cornmeal tortilla, with roughly shredded lettuce leaves if you like, and you've got yourself a proper little Mexican feast.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons rapeseed or sunflower oil
- 350g lean beef, coarsely minced
- 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
- 2 teaspoons cumin seeds, lightly bashed
- 1 teaspoon coriander seeds, lightly bashed
- ½ teaspoon dried chilli flakes, or to taste
- 1 teaspoon smoked sweet paprika
- 2 Little Gem lettuces, separated into leaves
- A good squeeze of lime (or lemon) juice
- Leaves from a small bunch of coriander, or parsley
- Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
For the bashed beans:
- 1 tablespoon rapeseed or olive oil
- 1 garlic clove, sliced
- 400g tin white beans, such as cannellini or butter beans, rinsed and drained
- A small glass of vegetable stock or water (75ml)
To serve
- Lime or lemon wedges
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