Sweet Minced Lamb with Aubergine and Apricots

If you're bored of bolognese, this sweet, curry inspired dish is the one for you. It can be made a few days in advance (which lets the juices flow) and served with boiled rice, couscous, or a baked potato. Perfect for dinner party preparation as it re-heats really well and can be kept in the fridge for up to a week.

Ingredients (serves 4-6)

for the sweet beef - 

- 1 tbsp groundnut oil (or veg oil)

- 1 small onion, chopped

- 2 cloves of garlic, crushed or finely chopped

- 500g beef or lamb mince 

- 1/2 an aubergine, chopped into small pieces

- 2 tsp curry powder

- 1/2 green chilli, chopped

- 2-3 tbsp mango chutney

- 2 tbsp tomato puree

- 10 cherry tomatoes, chopped in half

- 100ml chicken or vegetable stock

       - 8 dried apricots, chopped

   - 50g sultanas or raisins

- salt and pepper

for the couscous - 

couscous (roughly 280g - see instructions)

240ml chicken or vegetable stock

1 small handful of coriander, finely chopped (optional)

1 tbsp lemon juice

1/2 tsp sugar

1 tbsp good quality olive oil

salt and pepper

1. Fry the onion and garlic in the groundnut oil for a few minutes and then add the chopped aubergine. Stir for another couple of minutes and then add the meat and start to brown it, stirring constantly. 

2. Next, stir in the curry powder, tomatoes, tomato puree and chutney. Cook for a few minutes and then add the stock, followed by the apricots and raisins. Season with salt and pepper and let the dish simmer gently for 20-30 minutes.

3. When the lamb has been cooking for 20 minutes, start to make the couscous. Place the couscous in a clear bowl and just about cover it with stock. Leave it for around 4 minutes with a lid or plate on top, and then fluff it up with a fork. Next add the chopped coriander (if using), lemon juice, sugar and oil, and season well. *For less faff, make rice not couscous*.

Pigeon Breast with Beetroot and Parsley Risotto

This is another of my own recipes, complete fluke, but it definitely paid off. The subtle flavours of the beetroot and parsley compliment the pigeon breast, and the meat juices add someone special to the dish. 

Ingredients (serves 4)

for the risotto -

- a dash of vegetable oil

- one red onion, sliced

- 2 cloves of garlic, crushed

- 200g risotto rice

- 2 tbsp red or white wine

- 2 handfuls of chopped parsley

- 3 beets without skin, roughly chopped, and 200ml beetroot water

- 600ml vegetable stock

- salt and pepper

for the pigeon -

- a little oil

- 4 pigeon breasts

1. If you are using fresh beetroot rather than 'ready made' packeted beetroot, I like to cook them in a pressure cooker because it takes less time (around 25 minutes). Cut off the leaves of the beets and place them in a pressure cooker or pan with a lid on, half cover them with water, and cook for 20-40 minutes. (NB: when they are cooked, hold them under cold water to remove the skins easily...they should just peal away). 

2. You can begin making the risotto when the beets have been cooking for 15 minutes. Place a little vegetable oil in a large pan or wok and add the onion and garlic. Cook these on a medium heat for a few minutes and then add the risotto rice.

3. Stir the rice until coated in the oil and pour in the wine. Gradually add the beetroot water (to give it colour and a little flavour), stirring the risotto frequently. Then do the same with the vegetable stock for roughly 12 minutes. Add the beetroot (if it is ready), parsley, salt and pepper, and cook for a further 5 minutes.

4. Whilst the risotto is finishing off, start to fry your pigeon breasts in oil. Cover the pan with a lid, this will help to produced some delicious juices from the meat. The pigeon shouldn't take more than 6 minutes (if you like it slightly pink), by which time the risotto will be done. 

5. Plate the dish up and pour over the lovely pigeon juices.

http://instagram.com/p/b4TB-suki3/