4 Ingredients Beef & Coconut Satay

Serves 4

Get This -

* 500g (1 pound) diced beef (also great with pork, chicken or prawns)

* 1–2 teaspoons curry powder

* 2 tablespoons (50g) crunchy peanut butter

* 1 cup (250ml) coconut milk

Do This -

Heat a large nonstick frying pan until hot. Add 2 tablespoons of water and cook the beef for 3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until brown.

Reduce heat, add the curry powder, mix well and cook for 1 minute. Add the peanut butter and coconut milk and stir well until combined. Reduce the heat and simmer for 5 minutes.

4 Ingredients - Cottage Pie

Chunky Beef with Beans and Chilli

From Taste.com.au

Serves 4

Get This -

1 tablespoon olive oil
400g can chopped tomatoes
300ml bottled chunky chargrilled salsa
500g lean beef stir-fry strips
2 tablespoons chopped fresh coriander
1 red capsicum, seeds removed, coarsely chopped
400g can red kidney beans, rinsed and drained
1 onion, sliced


Do This -

1. Heat oil in a large frying pan, add onion and red capsicum and cook over medium heat for 5 minutes or until golden. Add beef and cook, stirring, until browned.
2. Add salsa, tomatoes and kidney beans, and simmer for 10 minutes. Stir in coriander and season with salt and pepper.
3. Serve in bowls, topped with a generous dollop of yoghurt.

This recipe is from Taste.com.au... click here

Chilli Con Carne

Serves 2 - 3


Get This -

250g mince
1/2 medium onion
1 can diced tomatoes
1 can red Mexican Chilli beans
salt, pepper & chilli flakes to season
avocado or guacamole, sour cream and coriander or spring onions to serve


Do This -

1. Saute onion until soft.
2. Add mince and stir until browned.
3. Add tomatoes and can of beans.
4. Season to taste with salt, pepper & chilli flakes.
5. Mix well and simmer for 10 - 15 mins.
6. Serve with rice, pasta, tacos or jacket potatoes.
7. Add avocado or guacamole and  a dollop of sour cream on top.
8. Finish off with some fresh coriander or sliced spring onions.

This one is almost too easy, that's why I love it! :)

Beef & Vegetable Korma

This curry is a perfect winter warmer, and so simple! All you need is time to let it simmer.

Serves 4

Get This -

1 tablespoon olive oil

600g diced beef

1/2 jar korma paste (I used Patak's)

1 onion, diced

2 carrots, peeled, chopped

2 zucchinis, chopped

150g cauliflower, cut into small florets

3/4 cup (200g) Greek-style natural yogurt

1/2 cup roughly chopped fresh coriander

Steamed rice, to serve

Cooked pappadums or naan bread, to serve

Do This -

1. Heat half the oil in a large saucepan over high heat. Add half the beef and cook stirring 1-2 minutes or until browned. Transfer to a bowl. Repeat with remaining oil and beef.
2. Add onions to the pan and saute until lightly browned.
3. Return the beef to the pan and add the korma paste, vegetables and 1/2 cup (90g) of the yogurt. Bring to a simmer. Reduce heat to low and simmer, covered for 2 or more hours.
4. Reserve 1 tablespoon of the chopped coriander and stir the remaining coriander through the curry. Spoon the curry onto the rice and sprinkle with the remaining coriander. Serve with the remaining yogurt and pappadums or naan.

Note - you can add any vegetables you have or like to this curry.

Crispy-topped Cottage Pie

from Taste.com.au

Serves 4

Get This -

• olive oil
• 1 brown onion, finely chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, crushed
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 750g beef mince
• 1 cup beef stock
• 400g can diced tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons plain flour 
• 2 carrots, peeled, diced
• 1 cup frozen peas
• 500g Desiree potatoes, thinly sliced
• 100g tasty cheese, finely grated

Do This -

1. Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Cook onion and garlic, stirring, for 8 minutes or until soft. Add tomato paste. Cook for 3 minutes.
2. Increase heat to high. Add mince. Cook, stirring, for 8 minutes or until browned. Add stock, water and tomatoes. Bring to the boil. Stir in flour and carrots. Reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer, partially covered, for 10 minutes. Add peas.
3. Preheat oven to 200°C. Grease a 10-cup capacity ovenproof dish. Spoon in mince.
4. Combine potatoes, 1 1/2 tablespoons oil, and salt and pepper. Arrange one-third potatoes over mince. Sprinkle with half the cheese. Repeat layers, finishing with potatoes. Drizzle with a little oil. Season with salt and pepper. Cover with foil. Bake for 30 minutes. Increase heat to 230°C. Remove foil. Bake for a further 20 minutes or until golden. Serve.

Note - to hide the vegetables from Miss 4, I grated the carrot and swapped frozen peas for grated zucchini.

This recipe is from Taste.com.au

Spaghetti Bolognese

I know the really simple way to make this is to brown some mince, add a jar of prepared sauce and add to pasta, but it's so easy to make your own. It tastes heaps better and you know exactly what you're eating, too.

With illnesses, ailments and disorders on the rise I have to wonder if it has something to do with the mountains of processed foods we eat with all the additives, preservatives & chemicals. I don't like to use any bottled sauce bases anymore.

Serves 4

Get This -

500g beef mince
1 brown onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, crushed
2 cans diced tomatoes
4 tablespoons tomato paste
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 beef stock cubes
a shake of dried oregano
a shake of dried thyme
a shake of dried tarragon
a pinch of cinnamon
a pinch of nutmeg
1/4 red lentils
1/2 to 1 cup vegetables, eg carrot, zucchini, cauliflower, capsicum
1/2 cup water (I swish out a can of tomatoes & use that)
salt & pepper
fresh parmesan, shaved/finely grated
fresh basil
spaghetti or other pasta

Do This -

• Heat oil in large pot.  Saute onions & garlic until translucent.
• Add vegetables, stock cubes & herbs.
• Add mince and stir until browned.
• Add tomato paste and cook for about 1 minute.
• Add all other ingredients and simmer.
• Sauce will be ready in about 20 minutes, but I love it after a few hours of gentle simmering...much tastier! 
• Just before you're ready to serve, cook pasta according to the instructions on the packet.
• Drain pasta, serve in bowls with the bolognese sauce on top and finish with fresh shaved parmesan and chopped basil.

Beef and Black Bean Noodle Stir-Fry

Another recipe from Taste.com.au

This is what I call cheating...opening packets and bottles. But this is pretty good cheating, don't you think?

It's not the tastiest meal I've ever had. But it's not bad for something quick and easy.

From Taste.com.au

Serves 4

Get This -

• 1 x 400g pkt hokkien noodles
• 1 tbs olive oil
• 400g beef stir-fry strips
• 1 brown onion, halved, thinly sliced
• 1 garlic clove, crushed
• 1 x 500g pkt Woolworths Fresh Family Vegetable Stir-Fry
• 80ml (1/3 cup) water
• 1 x 300g btl Asia at Home Black Bean Stir Fry Sauce
• 1/3 cup fresh coriander leaves

Do This -

1. Place the noodles in a heatproof bowl. Cover with boiling water and set aside for 3 minutes or until tender. Drain.
2. Meanwhile, heat 1 teaspoon of oil in a wok over high heat. Add half the beef and stir-fry for 1-2 minutes or until browned. Transfer to a bowl. Repeat with 1 teaspoon of oil and the remaining beef.
3. Heat the remaining oil in the wok over medium-high heat. Add the onion and garlic, and stir-fry for 1 minute or until the onion softens. Add vegetables and stir-fry for 2 minutes. Add 2 tablespoons of water. Cover and cook for 1-2 minutes or until the vegetables are tender crisp.
4. Use a fork to separate the noodles. Add the noodles and black bean sauce to the wok, and toss to coat. Add the remaining water to the sauce bottle and seal. Shake until well combined. Pour into the wok. Add the beef and toss to combine.
5. Divide the stir-fry among serving plates. Top with the coriander to serve.

Rissoles

Not my photo, I always forget to take photos, too busy eating!

Makes 16 small rissoles

Get This -

250g beef mince
1/2 carrot, grated
1/2 zucchini, grated
1/2 onion, finely chopped
1 tablespoon grated parmesan
1 egg
1 tablespoon tomato sauce
1 teaspoon mustard
2 slices grain bread, crusts removed and broken up into small pieces

Do This -

1. Mix everything together well (with your hands, of course) in a mixing bowl.
2. Cover and refrigerate for an hour.
3. Roll into small balls, sausage shapes or patties.
4. Shallow fry until browned all over and cooked through.

My friend Julie makes gravy with her rissoles and this is how she does it.

2 tbspns flour, 2 cups chicken stock, 1 tbspn tomato paste, mixed together in the pan the rissoles were cooked in. It's my new favourite thing! I love gravy!!

Beef Stroganoff

I am a big fan of stroganoff.  I've posted a chicken one, now here's a beef one.  Too delicious!

Serves 4

Get This - 

• 1/2 cup plain flour
• 500g beef fillet steaks, cut into 2cm-thick strips
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 large brown onions, halved, sliced
• 4 garlic cloves, crushed
• 3 cups beef stock
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 2 teaspoons paprika
• 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
• 200g button mushrooms, halved
• 1/4 cup sour cream
• chopped spring onions to garnish

Do This -

1. Place flour in a snap-lock bag. Season with salt and pepper. Add beef strips. Seal bag and shake to coat. Remove beef. Place in a bowl.
2. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large, deep frying pan over medium-high heat. Cook mushrooms, onion and garlic for 4 to 5 minutes or until soft. Transfer to a plate.
3. Add remaining oil and beef to pan. Cook for 5 minutes or until browned. Return mushrooms, onion and garlic to pan. Add stock. Bring to the boil. Add tomato paste, paprika and mustard. Reduce heat to medium. Simmer, uncovered, stirring, for 10 minutes. Stir in sour cream. Cook for 1 minute or until heated through.
4. Serve with mashed potato, rice, pasta or (my favourite) rice noodles. And top with spring onions.

Madras Beef Curry

I do love curries.
And this one is a winner.
So easy and so yum.


Just for a change, this is actually my image.
Yes, it's my dinner that I'm eating right now! :)

Serves 2

Get This -

• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 400g gravy beef, trimmed, cut into 3cm cubes
• 1/2 large brown onion, finely chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, crushed
• 2cm piece fresh ginger, peeled, grated
• 1/4 cup madras curry paste
• 3 cardamom pods, bruised
• 1/2 cup chicken stock
• 400g can diced tomatoes
• 1 large potato, peeled, cut into 3cm cubes
• salt & pepper
• 1 stalk spring onions, chopped
• Steamed basmati rice, to serve

Do This -

1. Heat half the oil in a large, heavy-based saucepan over medium-high heat. Cook beef, in batches, for 5 to 6 minutes or until browned. Transfer to a bowl.
2. Heat remaining oil in dish. Add onion, garlic and ginger. Cook, stirring, for 5 minutes or until onion has softened. Add curry paste and cardamom. Cook for 1 minute or until fragrant. Return beef to dish. Add stock, tomatoes and potato. Season with salt & pepper. Cover. Bring to the boil.
3. Turn the heat down to low and simmer for 2-3 hours or until beef is tender. Remove and discard cardamom pods. Serve with rice and top with plain yogurt or raita and spring onions.

Slow Cooked Casserole

This recipe comes from my favourite food website, Taste.com.au

Get This -

• 800g chuck steak, diced
• 4 Desiree potatoes, cubed
• 4 carrots, trimmed, sliced
• 415g can diced tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 cup frozen peas
• 1 beef stock cube, crushed
• 1/4 cup plain flour
• crusty bread, to serve

Do This -

1. Preheat oven to 130°C. Place meat, potatoes, carrots, tomatoes, tomato paste and stock cube into an ovenproof casserole dish. Add a pinch of dried herbs and season with salt & pepper if you wish.  Mix well to combine.
2. Cover with a lid. Bake for 3 hours 45 minutes, stirring once or twice during cooking.
3. Remove casserole from oven. Stir in peas. Gradually add flour, stirring constantly to prevent lumps from forming. Return to oven. Cook, uncovered, for a further 15 minutes.

Beef & Vegetable Stew

This beef and vegetable stew is easy to make and great for a cold winter night.

(serves 4)

Get This -

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 medium onion, finely chopped
2 garlic cloves, crushed
800g beef chuck steak, trimmed, cubed
2 large carrots, peeled, roughly chopped
2 celery stalks, roughly chopped
1 large potato, peeled and cubed
1/4 cup flat leaf parsley, chopped
1/3 cup red wine
2 tablespoons plain flour
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 tablespoon dijon mustard
2 x 410g cans diced tomatoes
2 cups beef stock

Do This -

Place beef, flour, salt & pepper in a zip lock bag.  Shake until well coated.

Heat oil in large pot. Add onion. Cook, stirring, for 4 minutes or until onion has softened. Add garlic. Cook for 1 minute. Add beef. Cook for 5 minutes or until browned.

Add carrot, celery , parsley and potato. Cook, stirring, for 3 minutes. Add wine. Bring to the boil. Add tomato paste, tomato and beef stock. Bring to the boil. Cover with lid. Reduce heat to low. Cook for 3 hours.

Serve with crusty bread or dumplings.

Quick Goulash

This is really easy and really yum!

Serves 4

Get This -

• 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil
• 500g stir-fry beef
• 1 brown onion, thinly sliced
• 200g button mushrooms, thickly sliced
• 1 tablespoon ground paprika
• 400g can condensed tomato soup
• 400g can diced tomatoes
• steamed rice, chopped flat-leaf parsley leaves and light sour cream, to serve

Do This -

1. Heat 2 teaspoons oil in a large frying pan over high heat. Add half the beef. Cook, stirring often, for 3 minutes or until browned. Transfer to a plate. Repeat with oil and remaining beef.
2. Add remaining 2 teaspoons oil, onion and mushroom to pan. Cook for 3 minutes or until tender. Add paprika. Cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Add soup and tomatoes. Stir until well combined. Bring to the boil.
3. Reduce heat to low. Return beef and any juices to pan. Simmer for 3 minutes or until warmed through. Season with salt and pepper.
4. Spoon rice into bowls. Spoon over goulash and sprinkle with parsley. Top with a dollop of sour cream and serve.

Thai Beef Stir-Fry

This recipe is divine.  Especially for a hot summer night, so fresh, crisp and healthy!

Serves 4

Get This -

• 1 1/2 tbs peanut oil
• 500g beef stir-fry strips
• 2 carrots, cut into short thin sticks
• 1 red capsicum, cut into thin strips
• 1 stalk lemongrass, white part only, finely chopped
• 4cm piece fresh ginger, thin sticks
• 3 garlic cloves, crushed
• 1 1/2 tbs soy sauce
• 1 1/2 tbs sweet chilli sauce
• 1 tbs lime juice
• 2 cups bean sprouts
• 1 cup fresh coriander leaves
• 1 cup fresh mint leaves
• Steamed jasmine rice, to serve

Do This -

1. Add 1 tablespoon of oil to a wok on high heat. Add half the beef and stir-fry for 1-2 mins. Repeat with remaining beef.
2. Heat remaining oil over medium-high heat. Add carrots, capsicum, lemongrass, ginger and garlic. Stir-fry for 2 mins. Add soy sauce, sweet chilli sauce and lime juice. Toss well.
3. Return beef and bean sprouts and toss through. Remove from heat and toss in half the coriander and mint. Serve with remaining coriander, mint and rice.

This recipe is from http://www.taste.com.au/ , my favourite recipe website.

Massaman Curry

I was going to make the 4 Ingredients Calendar version but it was completely tasteless.  I added a few more ingredients and it was so yummy I ate way too much!

Serves 4

Get This -

500g beef cubed
1 tablespoon massaman curry paste
3 potatoes peeled and cubed
400ml coconut milk
(that was their bit...here's my added extras...)
1 brown onion, cut into fine wedges
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1/2 tablespoon fish sauce
juice from 1 lime
salt

Do This -

1. Heat 1/4 cup water on high heat in large saucepan.
2. Add beef and onions and cook until beef is browned.
3. Mix coconut milk, curry paste, sugar, fish sauce and lime juice together and add to saucepan with beef and onions along with potatoes.
4. Simmer for at least 2 hours. (The original recipe said 20 mins but I find meat is always chewy unless it has been cooked slowly for a couple of hours at least.)
5. Stir occasionally and season with salt to taste.
6. Serve with rice.

Extra extras...

You could add peanuts or cashews.
You could garnish with your favourite herbs.
You could serve with green vegetables and carrots.
Or you could eat as it but try not to eat too much!!

Cheesy Beef Rissoles

Makes about 12

Get This -

250g beef mince
1 small carrot, grated
1/2 cup parmesan, grated
1 egg
1 tablespoon tomato/barbecue/sweet chilli sauce
1 tablespoon mustard
1 slice of bread, crusts removed and broken into tiny pieces
25g fetta, crumbled
salt & pepper


Do This -

• Place everything in a mixing bowl and get your hands stuck in mixing until well combined.
• Roll into small rissoles and shallow fry or barbecue until browned all over and cooked through.

Too easy! ;)

Burritos

Another favourite weekly dinner...



Get This -

A burrito kit

Do This - 

Follow instructions on the pack


LOL, yeah I know...hardly a recipe.  But I am using this blog as a collection of our family's favourites so I had to include it!

Tip - If you want to do something extra, add a can of cannellini beans (drained & rinsed) with the chicken, or red kidney beans with mince.

Beef Sausage Rolls

I've never attempted to make sausage rolls before and was surprised at how easy they were.  If they are easy enough for me, they are easy enough for anyone.  Give them a go...

Cooking Time

20 - 30 mins

Makes

16



Get This -

300g beef mince
1 small brown onion finely chopped
1 carrot, peeled and grated
1 egg, lightly beaten
1/2 teaspoon dried herbs
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 sheets frozen puff pastry, partially thawed
1 tablespoon milk

Do This -

Preheat oven to 220C.
Line baking tray with baking paper.
Combine mince, onion,  carrot, egg, herbs, salt and pepper in a bowl and mix well.
Cut pastry sheets in half.
Shape a quarter of the mince along a long edge of each piece of pastry.
Roll pastry to enclose mince mixture.
With seam side down, cut each roll into four.
Place onto baking tray, brush with milk, and bake for 20 - 30 minutes until puffed and golden brown.
Let stand for 5 minutes before serving, with tomato sauce of course!