Tender slow cooked lean beef with onions, tomato, lentils and spiced with turmeric, cumin, nutmeg and cinnamon, this is seriously a Mint Favourite!
Finished with a good squeeze of fresh lime juice and chopped mint. Traditionally this type of casserole would be served with rice which has been either boiled or baked with a golden crust and Persian flat breads.
Preparation time: 15-20 minutes
Cooking time: 2h - 3h
Cook in our Le Creuset Classic Cast iron Round Casserole 24cm.
Serves 6.
INGREDIENTS
- 4 tablespoons olive oil - divided
- 4 medium onions - peeled and sliced
- 1kg lean braising steak - cubed
- 2 cloves garlic - chopped
- 2 teaspoons turmeric
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 2 teaspoons black pepper
- 2 x 400g cans chopped tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons tomato puree
- 750ml / 3 cups hot beef stock
- 175g green lentils - washed
- 2 teaspoons ground nutmeg
- 2 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon3 - 4 tablespoons fresh lime juice
- 3 tablespoons chopped fresh mint
INSTRUCTIONS
Oven 170ºC/150ºC fan forced
- Heat half the olive oil in the casserole over a low to medium heat, add the sliced onions and cook for 15 minutes, stirring frequently. Then remove the onions from the pot with a slotted spoon and set to one side.
- Add the remaining oil to the pot and heat for 1-2 minutes. Stir fry the beef adding a little at a time so not to overcrowd the pot.
- Once the beef is nicely sealed, return the fried onions to the pot along with the garlic, turmeric and cumin. Stir and cook for 2 minutes.
- Stir in the tomatoes, tomato puree and hot beef stock. Bring the contents to a simmer, place on the lid and transfer to the oven to cook for 1 hour.
- Remove the pot from the oven using a thick cloth or oven gloves. Stir in the washed lentils, nutmeg and cinnamon.
- Reduce the oven temperature to 150ºC and cook for 1 1⁄4 - 1 ½ hours until the meat is very tender.
- After cooking is completed, finish the dish by stirring in the fresh lime juice and chopped mint, adjust the seasoning to taste with a little salt.
- Serve with rice and flat breads
Cook's Notes:
- Persian flat breads are known as Nan - e barbari which are similar to Naan and flavoured with cinnamon and sesame seeds.
- Instead of lentils you can use potatoes, which is delicious!
- To adjust the 24cm casserole recipe:
To serve 3-4 use a 20cm casserole and reduce the ingredients by half.
To serve 8-10 use a 28cm casserole and increase the ingredients by half.
