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Keema with peas

Mince and peas

Keema with peas
Photo: Affaf Ali, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

Ingredients

For 4 servings. 1 serving = 1 adult; a 6-year-old eats about half.

  • Lean beef or lamb mince440 g
  • Frozen peas160 g
  • Brown onions200 g (~1½ medium)
  • Tomatoes160 g (~1½ medium)
  • Ginger15 g
  • Garlic6 cloves
  • Garam masala2 tsp
  • Kashmiri chilli powder1½ tsp
  • Coriander powder1 tbsp
  • Turmeric powder¼ tsp
  • Coriander leaves8 g
  • Sunflower or rice-bran oil1 tbsp
  • Salt1 tsp

You need

  • Kadai or deep sauté pan with lid
  • Sharp knife and chopping board
  • Ladle and flat spatula (dosa turner)
  • Measuring cups and spoons

Method

  1. The night before: move the mince from the freezer to the fridge to thaw.
  2. Finely chop 200 g (~1½ medium) onion and 160 g (~1½ medium) tomato. Grate or finely chop 15 g ginger and 6 cloves garlic.
  3. Heat 1 tbsp oil in the kadai on medium. Add the onion and cook 6 minutes until golden.
  4. Add the ginger and garlic and stir 1 minute. Add the tomato and cook 3 minutes until soft.
  5. Turn to low. Add ¼ tsp turmeric, 1½ tsp chilli powder, 1 tbsp coriander powder and 2 tsp garam masala. Stir 1 minute.
  6. Add 440 g mince. Turn to medium-high and break it up with the flat spatula. Cook 6 to 8 minutes until there is no pink left and it is browned.
  7. Add 160 g frozen peas, 1 tsp salt and 240 ml (about 1 cup) water. Cover and simmer on medium-low for 10 minutes until thick.
  8. Scatter over chopped 8 g coriander leaves.

Tips

  • Kids usually love this. For a toddler, stir a spoon of plain yoghurt through their portion.
  • Good in a thermos for the next day's lunch, or rolled in a chapati. Refrigerate within an hour and reheat until steaming hot.

Make it easier

  • The night before: Move the mince from the freezer to the fridge.

Keeping and freezing

  • Fridge: keeps 3 days in a lidded box. Cool it within an hour of cooking.
  • Freezer: freezes well for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat until steaming hot.

Good to know

  • Toddlers: take their portion out before adding chilli or pepper.