| Prep: 20 mins | Cook: 40 mins | Difficulty: Medium | Serves: 6 |
| kcal | fat | saturates | carbs |
| 648 | 28g | 10g | 69g |
| sugars | fibre | protein | salt |
| 6g | 5g | 40g | 0.85g |
Why I Love Indian Ground Beef and Rice Pilaf
As a lifelong aficionado of Tex-Mex flavor profiles, I often find joy in exploring how my love for bold, spicy flavors marries with different dishes from around the world. Today, I’d like to share with you one of these explorations – an Indian recipe called Ground Beef and Rice Pilaf. This delectable dish is infused with vibrant spices, and brings a delightful twist to any meal.
An Indian Twist on a Classic Pilaf
One of the joys of cooking is creating unexpected harmonies of flavor, and this Ground Beef and Rice Pilaf is just that. It reminds me of the classic Southern beef and rice casserole, but the addition of traditional Indian spices brings a novel complexity to this dish. From curry and turmeric to cumin and cardamom, the spices here mesh wonderfully with the ground beef and basmati rice, creating a hearty and delicious dish. I’ve always been inspired by the Indian dishes I’ve tried at local restaurants and ones that I’ve browsed from celebrity chefs like Madhur Jaffrey.
Perfect Pairings
While this pilaf can work splendidly as a standalone, there are numerous dishes that could enhance this meal and promote a more diverse tasting experience. For lighter sides, you might consider a simple cucumber raita or an Indian-inspired salad with mango, lime, and a sprinkling of fresh chili. If you’re into complementary flavors, a dollop of mango chutney would also work wonders as it adds a sweet counterpoint to the dish’s spiciness. Don’t forget a good naan bread to mop up all those delightful flavors!
Ground Beef and Rice Pilaf is a testament to how beautifully diverse flavors can mingle to elevate a dish — a principle close to my heart and embodied in my culinary journey. I hope that you will enjoy it as much as I do. Happy cooking!
What You’ll Need
- 2 lbs Ground Beef
- 2 cups Basmati Rice
- 1 large Onion, chopped
- 3 cloves Garlic, minced
- 1 Green Bell Pepper, chopped
- 1 Red Bell Pepper, chopped
- 5 cups Beef Broth
- 2 teaspoons Curry Powder
- 1 teaspoon Ground Turmeric
- 1 teaspoon Ground Cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon Chili Powder
- 1/2 teaspoon Ground Cardamom
- 1/2 teaspoon Ground Coriander
- 2 tablespoons Olive Oil
- 3 tablespoons Tomato Paste
- 1 cup Frozen Peas
- Salt, to taste
- Ground Black Pepper, to taste
- 1/4 cup Fresh Cilantro, chopped (for garnish)
Method
Step One
Start by heating the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, minced garlic, and chopped bell peppers. Cook these for approximately 5 minutes until the vegetables are soft and fragrant.
Step Two
Next, push the cooked vegetables to one side of the skillet and add the ground beef. Cook until it is no longer pink, breaking it up into smaller chunks as it cooks. Make sure to stir it in with the vegetables.
Step Three
Once the beef is cooked, stir in the tomato paste, making sure it is well combined with the beef and vegetables. Following this, add in your curry powder, ground turmeric, ground cumin, chili powder, ground cardamom, and ground coriander. Stir until everything is well coated.
Step Four
Now it’s time to add your basmati rice. Stir it into the beef and vegetable mixture until it is fully mixed in. After this, pour in the beef broth and increase the heat to bring the mixture to a boil.
Step Five
Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover your skillet and let everything simmer for about 20 minutes. The rice should absorb the majority of the broth and become tender.
Step Six
After 20 minutes, add your frozen peas to the skillet. Let them cook until they are heated through. This should take about 5 minutes.
Step Seven
Finally, season to taste with salt and ground black pepper. Stir well to combine everything.
Step Eight
Serve warm, garnished with freshly chopped cilantro. Enjoy your delicious ground beef and rice pilaf!
