Description
This aromatic mince and apricots dish combines lean beef mince cooked with fragrant spices and sweet dried apricots, served alongside minty bulgur wheat. The hearty and flavorful recipe is perfect for a comforting meal that balances savory and sweet notes while incorporating protein-rich chickpeas and refreshing fresh mint.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 tbsp rapeseed oil
- 1 onion, halved and thinly sliced
- 200g lean beef mince (5% fat)
- 1 tsp cumin seeds
- 2 tbsp harissa paste
- 2 tbsp tomato purée
- 1 tsp vegetable bouillon powder
- 400g can chickpeas, not drained
- 5 dried apricots, halved
Bulgur Wheat
- 160g bulgur wheat
- 1 litre water (for cooking bulgur)
- 1 tbsp fresh mint leaves, chopped
- 10g toasted almond flakes
Instructions
- Cook the onion: Heat the rapeseed oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add the thinly sliced onion and fry, stirring occasionally, until it starts to turn golden brown, which should take about 5-7 minutes.
- Brown the mince: Add the lean beef mince to the pan with the onions. Use a wooden spoon to break up the meat and cook until the mince is browned evenly and no longer pink, about 8-10 minutes.
- Add spices and flavorings: Stir in the cumin seeds, harissa paste, and tomato purée. Mix well to combine all ingredients and allow the spices to release their aroma for about 2 minutes.
- Add remaining ingredients and simmer: Sprinkle in the vegetable bouillon powder, then add the canned chickpeas with their liquid, halved dried apricots, and 150ml of water. Stir thoroughly to combine, then cover the pan with a lid and cook over low heat for 20 minutes to allow flavors to meld and ingredients to soften.
- Cook the bulgur wheat: While the mince mixture is simmering, bring 1 litre of water to a boil in a separate saucepan. Add the bulgur wheat, cover, and simmer over medium heat for 15 minutes or until the bulgur is tender and most of the water has been absorbed. Drain any excess water if necessary.
- Finish the bulgur: Stir the chopped fresh mint leaves into the cooked bulgur wheat to infuse a fresh, aromatic flavor.
- Serve: Dish the minty bulgur onto plates and top with the spicy mince and apricot mixture. Garnish with toasted almond flakes for added crunch and nuttiness. Serve hot and enjoy.
Notes
- You can substitute beef mince for lamb or turkey mince depending on preference.
- If harissa paste is too spicy, reduce the quantity to adjust heat level.
- To toast almonds, simply dry fry them in a pan over medium heat until golden and fragrant.
- Bulgur wheat can be replaced with couscous if preferred, adjusting cooking time accordingly.
- This dish can be made ahead; simply reheat gently on the stovetop before serving.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Keywords: mince recipe, apricot recipes, bulgur wheat, minty bulgur, harissa, beef mince dish, quick dinner, Mediterranean food, healthy mince recipe
