We tend to forget that not everyone knows basic cooking skills and take for granted that everyday meals don't require a recipe or guidance. Here are some tips for tasty beef mince meals.
Basic mince:
Use 400g or so of mince until you know how much you eat per person. Everyone has their own capacity! This should feed 3 or 4 people as there is always something added.
Heat 2 Tablesp oil in a pan or pot over medium heat and add a large onion, sliced or chopped depending on how energetic you are feeling. Once it has softened, turn the heat up and add the mince - a higher heat enables you to break it up quicker. It doesn't matter if it is still frozen - keep turning it and peeling off the browned surface, using a fork to crumble the meat. Once all lumps are gone, turn the heat down and add 1 teasp of salt and some white pepper. This is your basic mixture to which you add whatever floats your boat!
Savoury mince:
Add the following to basic mince: beef stock powder, allspice powder (1/2 teasp), bay leaf, a little water to prevent burning. Add your vegetables to the mince and cook it all together. Much easier to clean one pot!
Tomato-based mince:
When cooking the onion for basic mince, add 1 sliced celery stalk (not leaves), 1 peeled and grated carrot and a clove or two of garlic. Once basic mince is crumbled, add 1 tin chopped tomatoes (or fresh) and 2 Tablesp tomato paste (alternatively just use 1 tin tomato puree), 1 teasp sugar, a bay leaf and 2 teasp dried oreganum. You can also add beef stock powder if you wish. Cover with a lid and cook for 30 - 40 mins, ensuring it does not boil, it should just simmer (odd bubble popping). If the liquid evaporates (it shouldn't because tomatoes produce liquid), add a little hot water. The flavour develops better if you make it early in the day or even the day before and keep in the fridge till heating with your vegetables. The celery adds a richness to the flavour and the sugar takes away the sharpness of the tomato. This is very good topped with mashed potato or even easier, plopped on top of the mash.
Further additions to tomato-based mince for bolognaise sauce:
1/2 teasp nutmeg, 1/2 cup red wine.
Will think of others for another time!
