Tag Archives: Beef

Shawarma Roasted Red Pepper Pizza

Sweet and Spicy Shawarma Roasted Red Pepper Pizza, because it’s still weekend and Pizzas are the best.
Homemade pizza dough topped with a simple tomato sauce, two types of cheese, grilled peppers, Shawarma, cherry tomatoes and basil.
This pizza is so good. It’s sweet and a tiny bit spicy and will leave you wanting more.
There really isn’t anything better than home-made Pizza. You could also use store-bought Pizza dough if you’re in a hurry or my one of my LINK

Prep time : 15 min
Cooking time : 10-15 min
Makes : 4

INGREDIENTS DOUGH:

• 500 gr./ 3 1/3 C (type 00) flour
• 1 tsp. sugar
• 1 1/2 tsp. active dry yeast
• ¼ tsp garlic powder (optional)
• ¼ tsp onion powder (optional)
• 1 tsp. Salt
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 350 -375 ml / 1.5 – 1 3/4 cups warm water

INGREDIENTS TOPPING:

• 1 C. Tomato sauce/marinara sauce
• 1 C. shredded Mozzarella
• 1 C. shredded Gouda cheese
• 1 onion, peeled and sliced thin
• 2 whole roasted red peppers from a jar, drained and dried on kitchen paper
• 1 C. cooked Shawarma meat SEE RECIPE BELOW
• 1 tsp. dry chili flakes
• A handful cherry tomatoes, cut in half
• Fresh basil

INGREDIENTS TO MAKE THE SHAWARMA:

• ½ lb. minced beef or lamb
• A drizzle of oil
• 1 garlic clove, peeled and crushed or grated
• ½ tsp. Ground coriander
• ½ tsp. ground cumin
• 1 tsp. smoked paprika powder
• 1/2 – 1 tsp. dry chili flakes
• Salt and pepper

METHOD:

In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the hook attachment combine all the dry ingredients and stir to mix, then add the wet. Knead for a few minutes until it comes together. Using your hands, place all the dough on a floured surface, kneading and forming the dough into a ball using some extra flour . Oil a large bowl lightly and place the dough inside, turning to coat. Cover with a towel or cling film and place in a warm place to rise for about 30-45 minutes or until doubled in bulk.
Meanwhile make the Shawarma meat.
Heat a large frying pan and add a drizzle of oil. Once the pan is hot add the meat and garlic and fry for a minute, add the seasoning and continue cooking until the meat is no longer pink. About 4 to 5 minutes. Turn off the heat and set aside to cool.
Preheat the oven to 230° C / 450° F , place a pizza stone in the oven if you have one or otherwise the baking sheet.
Gently punch the dough down and divide into 4 equal pieces. Roll each piece on a lightly floured surface into a 25cm/10” circle (roughly). Place each circle on a piece of parchment paper.
Spread tomato sauce over each pizza base. Divide cheeses, Shawarma meat, onion, peppers and cherry tomatoes over the pizzas.
Transfer the pizza by lifting the parchment paper onto a large board and slide the pizza into the oven.
Bake the pizza for 10-15 minutes or until the cheese is all melted and the crust golden and crispy.
Remove onto a large wooden board. Sprinkle with dried chili flakes and Basil and eat straight away.

Enjoy!

If you make this Shawarma Roasted Red Pepper Pizza be sure to leave a comment! I’d love to hear from you and if you love it, pin it. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! @thecookingspoonblog or hashtag it #thecookingspoonblog

Smoky Chili con Carne with Pumpkin

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Smoky Chili con carne with Pumpkin is a hearty family favourite full of flavor!

This Chili con carne with Pumpkin is slightly spicy and also has a smoky flavor that makes you want to take just one more bite each time.
A true crowd pleaser that freezes well and even tastes better the next day. The recipe can be easily doubled so you can keep some in the freezer. You can also serve this over a tray of nachos or in tacos. Or how about in a bun? The possibilities are endless…
The recipe itself is a no-brainer, although the ingredient list may seem long it’s put together in minutes. I started off with browning the beef in a heavy based pot, then added the onion and garlic. Then basically you add the remaining ingredients up until the corn meal and just leave it to simmer for about an hour and a half, or until 30 minutes before you want to eat. Finally you add the beans and pumpkin and Voilà…chili. The pumpkin adds a seasonal twist.

Prep time : 15

Cooking time : 90 min

Serves : 6 – 8

INGREDIENTS;

1 Tablespoons Olive Oil
1. lbs. ground beef
1 tsp. salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 medium onion, peeled and chopped fine
3 garlic cloves, peeled and grated or chopped
2 tsp. ground Cumin
2 tsp. dried oregano
1 tsp. dried Thyme
1 tsp. chili powder
2 tbsp. sweet smoked paprika
1 – 2 tsp. chopped chipotles in adobo (depending on how hot you like it)
1 tbsp. tomato paste
1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
1-2 tbsp. Liquid Smoke (you may leave out)
2 tsp. sugar
1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
1/2 cinnamon stick
1 tsp unsweetened cocoa
2 C. beef stock
2 tbsp. cornmeal (for thickening)
1/4 C. Chopped Coriander reserve some more for serving
1 cup diced peeled pumpkin
1 (15-ounce) cans dark red kidney beans, drained and rinsed

INSTRUCTIONS:

Heat a large casserole or pot and add the olive oil. Once hot add the beef and fry until brown, add the onion and stir for a few minutes , add the garlic.
Add the spices; cumin, oregano, thyme, chili powder and smoked paprika. Keep stirring
Add the chopped chipotles, the tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, liquid smoke and the sugar, stir and add the crushed tomatoes.
Add the cocoa and the half cinnamon stick and the beef stock. Simmer for an hour and a half.
Add the drained kidney beans and pumpkin and the chopped coriander, reserving some for serving. Add these about 30 minutes before serving.
Thicken the chili if necessary with some corn meal.
Serve in bowl with avocado slices, sour cream, grated cheese, chopped onion and nachos if desired.

Enjoy!

If you make this recipe please be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! I love hearing from you. And please don’t forget to tag me on Instagram so I can see your creations!

Steak au Poivre, Steak in a creamy green peppercorn sauce

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Steak au Poivre or, Steak in a creamy green Peppercorn sauce is a classic recipe that is easy to make at home and everyone loves. My version however is alcohol free, making it suitable for all eaters.
You really don’t have to go to a fancy restaurant to eat Steak au Poivre.
The classic version uses cognac for the sauce but I’ve made this non alcoholic version and so far no one has even noticed. The secret ingredient is the Worcestershire sauce, it’s a great addition of flavor if you don’t want to use alcohol or simply don’t have a bottle of cognac or brandy sitting around in the house.
Cooking Steak is a personal thing and most chefs have their own tricks, I like to sear the heck out of mine to get the most caramelized meat flavor and I add the butter half way thru cooking so it doesn’t burn, but we do want that buttery flavor. If you have a cast iron skillet, use it.

INGREDIENTS:

• 4 x 250 gr/8.8 oz Steaks, about 3cm/1.2 ” thick (I used Rib-eye)
• 1 tbsp. Black peppercorns, crushed or freshly ground coarse black pepper
• Salt
• 3 tbsp. Butter, divided into three
• a little neutral flavored olive oil for rubbing the meat
• 4 tbsp green peppercorns in brine
• 240 ml/1 cup heavy cream
• 60 ml/1/4 cup beef stock
• 7.5 ml/1 1/2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
• a few dashes of Frank’s hot sauce or Tabasco

INSTRUCTIONS:

Take the Steaks out of the refrigerator 30 minutes before cooking, so they can get to room temperature.
Crush the black peppercorns in a pestle and mortar until medium fine.
Pat the steaks dry and rub them all over with a little oil.
Season the steaks on both sides with the pepper and salt just before cooking.
Heat a (cast iron) skillet to piping hot.
Place the Steaks in the pan and don’t move them, after one minute turn them over and sear for one more minute.
Now sear the sides quickly, add one tablespoon of the butter, turn the heat to medium. Add another tablespoon of butter.
After two to three more minutes add the remaining butter, depending on how you want your steak done, add the green peppercorns. Remove the steaks to a (warm)* plate and cover with foil to rest while you finish the sauce.
Add the beef stock to the pan, reduce by half and add the cream, turning heat to low.
Add the hot sauce and Worcestershire sauce. Taste and adjust seasoning, adding more ground pepper if you like. Place the steaks on a serving platter or individual plates and cover with some of the sauce.
I always serve the steaks with French fries for mopping up the green peppercorn sauce, it’s so delicious.
*The steaks in the photographs were cooked 3 minutes each side.
** Since I always serve steaks with oven fries, I put the plates on top of the oven to warm up a bit. Serve straight away with some vegetables or roasted Broccoli like in the pictures

Enjoy!

Köfte with Tahini Yogurt sauce

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Köfte are Middle Eastern sausage-shaped meatballs, often grilled on a stick. They can be made from either ground lamb, beef, or a combination.They’re perfect for the barbecue, or can be fried in the pan or even baked in the oven. This recipe is simple and delicious and all it needs is a salad and good flatbread.

You can watch a quick video here

INGREDIENTS:

Köfte:

500 gr minced Beef
1 small onion, grated about 1/4 cup
1 clove garlic, grated
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
1 tsp oregano
2 tsp dried parsley or 1 tbsp fresh
1/2 tsp dried mint
1/2 tsp ground cumin
1/4 tsp all spice
1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
1 egg

Tahini Yoghurt sauce:

1 cup (greek style)Yoghurt
Squeeze of lemonbjui
1 tbsp. Tahini
1/2 tsp dried garlic and 1 tsp dried onion powder
Salt & pepper

Flatbread to serve.

INSTRUCTIONS:

Combine all ingredients for the Köfte in a bowl and mix until evenly combined. Shape the meat mixture into sausage shaped meatballs, wetting your hands as necessary to prevent sticking. At this point you can also form the meat around skewers about 4 1/2 inches long. To secure the meat on the skewer, open and close your fingers along it, moving up and down the skewer and flattening the meat. Refrigerate the skewers until you are ready to grill.
Otherwise heat a frying pan to medium hot and cook the Köfte for about 5 minutes until cooked thru. Mix the ingredients for the Tahini sauce. Serve over flatbread with a salad, yogurt, and plenty of sauce. Enjoy!