Spiced beef mince pilaf
Discover the delight of Spiced Beef Mince Pilaf, a flavorful Middle Eastern-inspired dish featuring savory ground beef, aromatic spices like cinnamon, turmeric, and cumin, and a medley of dried fruits and nuts. Perfectly cooked basmati rice is combined with tender minced beef, dried apricots, pine nuts, and pistachios, then garnished with fresh spearmint and parsley for a burst of freshness. Easy to prepare and incredibly satisfying, this pilaf is a must-try for any dinner occasion!
- 26 Apr 2025
- Cook time 30 min
- Prep time 10 min
- 4 Servings
- 15 Ingredients
Spiced Beef Mince Pilaf is a delicious and aromatic dish that combines fragrant basmati rice with well-seasoned ground beef and a mix of dried fruits and nuts. This Middle Eastern-inspired recipe is rich in flavors and textures, making it a perfect meal for any occasion.
Ingredients:
Instructions:
- Finely chop the onion.
- Rinse the basmati rice under cold water until the water runs clear.
- Chop the dried apricots, fresh spearmint, and fresh parsley.
- Toast the pine nuts in a dry pan over medium heat until golden brown, then set aside.
- Chop the pistachio nuts.
- In a large pot or deep skillet, heat 1 tbsp olive oil over medium heat.
- Add the finely chopped onion and sauté until translucent and lightly golden, about 5 minutes.
- Add 1 cinnamon stick, 1 tsp turmeric powder, 1 tsp ground cumin, and 1 tsp dried coriander to the pot.
- Stir well to coat the onions with the spices.
- Add the rinsed basmati rice to the pot and stir to combine the rice with the spices and onion.
- Pour in 4 cups of water and bring to a boil.
- Add the chopped dried apricots.
- Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and simmer for 15 minutes or until the rice is tender and the water has been absorbed.
- While the rice is cooking, in a separate pan, cook 10 oz ground beef over medium-high heat until browned and cooked through.
- Use a wooden spoon to break the meat into small pieces.
- Once cooked, drain any excess fat from the beef.
- Once the rice is fully cooked and the water is absorbed, remove the pot from heat.
- Add the cooked ground beef to the pot with the rice.
- Add 1 tsp salt and stir well to combine all ingredients.
- Gently fold in the toasted pine nuts and chopped pistachio nuts.
- Add the chopped spearmint and parsley, and stir until evenly distributed.
- Remove the cinnamon stick from the pot before serving.
- Serve the spiced beef mince pilaf hot, garnished with extra fresh herbs and nuts if desired.
Tips:
- Toast the pine nuts and pistachio nuts gently in a dry pan until they are golden for an added depth of flavor.
- For an extra layer of aroma, consider adding a clove or a couple of cardamom pods along with the cinnamon stick.
- Soak the basmati rice in water for 20-30 minutes before cooking to ensure it cooks evenly and results in long, fluffy grains.
- Ensure the dried apricots are chopped into small pieces so they distribute evenly throughout the pilaf.
- Use fresh herbs if possible – they provide a burst of freshness that dried herbs can't quite replicate.
- Let the pilaf rest for a few minutes after cooking to allow the flavors to meld and for any excess moisture to be absorbed.
This Spiced Beef Mince Pilaf offers a delightful combination of savory and sweet flavors, with a wonderful variety of textures from the nuts and dried fruits. It's an impressive yet straightforward dish that can become a staple in your home-cooked meal repertoire.
| Nutrition Facts | |
|---|---|
| Serving Size | 530 grams |
| Energy | |
| Calories 570kcal | 29% |
| Protein | |
| Protein 22g | 14% |
| Carbohydrates | |
| Carbohydrates 50g | 14% |
| Fiber 5g | 13% |
| Sugar 11g | 11% |
| Fat | |
| Fat 36g | 44% |
| Saturated 8g | 26% |
| Cholesterol 50mg | - |
| Vitamins | |
| Vitamin A 45ug | 5% |
| Choline 70mg | 13% |
| Vitamin B1 0.40mg | 33% |
| Vitamin B2 0.24mg | 19% |
| Vitamin B3 6mg | 38% |
| Vitamin B6 0.56mg | 33% |
| Vitamin B9 90ug | 24% |
| Vitamin B12 1.52ug | 63% |
| Vitamin C 16mg | 18% |
| Vitamin E 2.98mg | 20% |
| Vitamin K 90ug | 78% |
| Minerals | |
| Calcium, Ca 110mg | 9% |
| Copper, Cu 0.66mg | 74% |
| Iron, Fe 7mg | 60% |
| Magnesium, Mg 120mg | 28% |
| Phosphorus, P 370mg | 29% |
| Potassium, K 840mg | 25% |
| Selenium, Se 20ug | 37% |
| Sodium, Na 550mg | 36% |
| Zinc, Zn 5mg | 49% |
| Water | |
| Water 410g | - |
| * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs. | |
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