Fragrant Beef Cooked In Mint And Spinach Food

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).

SPINACH-YOGURT DIP WITH SIZZLED MINT

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F. Toast walnuts on a baking sheet, tossing once, until golden brown, 6-8 minutes. Let cool; finely crush with the side of a chef's knife.
• Place a medium skillet over medium heat and add 1/2 cup water. As soon as you see bubbles, add one-third of the spinach and cook, stirring occasionally, until most of the spinach is wilted, then add more. Continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until all the spinach is in the pan and wilted, 6-8 minutes. Transfer spinach to a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking and lock in its bright green color. Drain and squeeze out excess liquid. Finely chop spinach and set aside.
• Wipe out skillet and heat 2 Tbsp. oil over medium. Cook onion, stirring occasionally, until soft but without taking on any color, 6-8 minutes. Add garlic and a pinch of salt and cook, stirring occasionally, until garlic is softened, 2-3 minutes. Transfer to a small bowl.
• Heat remaining 4 Tbsp. oil in a small skillet over medium. Once oil begins to shimmer, remove from heat and stir in dried mint. The oil will sizzle immediately and the mint will become fragrant. Transfer to a small bowl; season with salt.
• Combine yogurt, lemon juice, onion mixture, half of the walnuts, and reserved spinach in a medium bowl. Taste and season with salt and pepper. Scrape into a shallow serving bowl and use the back of a spoon to carve a few swirls into the dip. Top with remaining walnuts and spoon sizzled mint oil over.

FRAGRANT BEEF COOKED IN MINT AND SPINACH LEAVES

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine the five-spice powder, curry powder, turmeric, sugar, soy sauce, lemon grass, garlic, pepper and salt, and mix well. Add the beef and pork, and use your hands to thoroughly combine it with the spice mixture. Set aside to marinate for 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, bring a large pot half full of water to a boil. Place the mint leaves 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 water back to a boil, and add the spinach leaves. Cook for 30 seconds, or until leaves are just wilted and bright green. Immediately drain leaves, and plunge them into another bowl of cold water. When spinach and mint are cool, drain, and pat them between layers of paper towel to dry.
• Preheat the broiler. Form the meat into balls a little smaller than golf balls (you should have about 32). Elongate the balls slightly so that they are football-shaped. Press 5 or 6 mint leaves over the surface of each piece, and then wrap each in a spinach leaf. Place the wrapped pieces on a baking sheet drizzled with vegetable oil, and broil until the leaves are evenly browned and the meat inside is cooked through, about 6 to 7 minutes. Serve hot.

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.