Beef and Mushrooms Samosas

Charmian of The Messy Baker put the Blend & Extend method to good use in these party favourites. Her recipe for Beef and Mushroom Samosas would be a hit at any get-together. Try them yourself at home!

Recipe and photo by Charmian Christie of The Messy Baker.

Prep Time: 45 mins. | Cook Time: 25 mins. | Makes: 16 samosas.

Ingredients

Filling
1/2 pound mushrooms
1 pound lean ground beef
1 large onion
1 tablespoon canola oil
2 tablespoons grated fresh ginger root
2 tablespoons crushed garlic
1 tablespoon ground cumin
1 tablespoon ground coriander
1 tablespoon garam masala
1 teaspoon turmeric
3/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon dried chilli flakes
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
1/2 cup peas, fresh or frozen
1/2 cup corn, fresh or frozen
1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
Wrapping
1 454 g package phyllo, defrosted
1/2 cup canola oil
1 tablespoon black sesame seeds (optional)

Method

Filling
1. Place the mushrooms in a food processor fitted with a steel blade. Pulse until the mushrooms resemble couscous, about 10 pulses. If you don’t have a food processor, mince by hand with a knife. Transfer the minced mushroom to a large bowl and mix with the ground beef.
2. Peel and quarter the onion before placing it in the food processor. Pulse until minced. Alternatively, the onion can be minced by hand.
3. In a large skillet, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Cook the onions until soft, about 5 minutes. Add the ginger and garlic and cook 1 minute. Add the cumin, coriander, garam masala, turmeric, salt and dried chilli flakes. Cook 1 minute, stirring constantly to ensure the spices are well distributed.
4. Add the mushroom/beef combination and cook 5 to 7 minutes or until the beef is no longer pink.
5. Place the beef mixture in a sieve and allow to drain five minutes to remove excess liquid. Too much moisture in the filling can cause the samosas to burst while cooking. Transfer the strained mixture to a large bowl, stir in the lemon juice, peas, corn and cilantro. Allow to cool. The filling can be covered and refrigerated for up to 3 days.
Wrapping 
1. When you’re ready to wrap the filling, preheat the oven to 350°F.
2. Unwrap the phyllo and it lay flat. Cover it with a slightly damp tea towel to prevent it from drying out. Remove one sheet, and brush lightly with oil using a pastry brush. Fold in thirds lengthwise so you have a long, narrow strip three layers thick. Place 1/4 cup filling  at the bottom of the phyllo strip, about 1/2 inch from the left edge. Fold the bottom right corner over the filling to form a triangle. Fold the filling up the sheet of phyllo, maintaining the triangle form. Place on a baking sheet, brush with more oil and sprinkle with black sesame seeds, if using. Repeat with remaining phyllo and filling.
3. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until the pastry is golden brown. Serve hot as is or with tamarind sauce.
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Beef and Mushroom Kofta

By using half the meat and substituting in a mix of chopped mushrooms you add more nutrients and a great woodsy flavour. I highly recommend using a variety of types since each one adds a unique flavour and texture.

Recipe and photo by The Tasty Gardener.

Prep Time: 15 mins. | Cook Time: 10 mins.
Tip: If using wooden bamboo skewers make sure you soak them in water for several hours or over night.

Ingredients

1 lb lean ground beef
2 cups mushrooms, finely chopped
1 onion, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 tsp black pepper
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp cumin
1 tbsp allspice
1 tsp salt
1/2 cup parsley, chopped
1 tsp cinnamon

Method

1. Preheat BBQ to medium high heat.
2. Using your hands blend together all of the ingredients in a large bowl.
3. Take a golf ball size amount and flatten in the palm of your hand.
4. Place a BBQ skewer in the middle of the patty and carefully fold the meat around the skewer pressing to secure. Repeat with remaining meat.
5. Place on preheated grill and cook 5-10 minutes, turning frequently until meat has cooked through.
6. Remove from grill and serve.
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Beef and Portabello Stew

Serve this versatile beef stew recipe in edible bowls made of hollowed-out large crusty rolls, or bake it under a puff pastry crust for a quick and easy pot pie.

Prep Time: 20 mins. | Cook Time: 1 hr. 30 mins.

Ingredients

1/3 cup all-purpose flour 75 mL
1/2 tsp EACH: salt and dried thyme 2 mL
1/4 tsp EACH: pepper and crushed dried rosemary 1 mL
1 lb stewing beef, cut into 1 in (2.5 cm) cubes 500 g
2 tbsp vegetable oil or butter 30 mL
1/2 cup leeks (white part only), shallots or onions, chopped 125 mL
1 clove garlic, minced 1
4 cups coarsely chopped portobello mushrooms (cut into 1 in/2.5 cm chunks) 1 L
2½ cups beef broth or stock 625 mL
1/2 cup dry red wine 125 mL
1 tbsp tomato paste 15 mL
salt and pepper to taste

Method

1. In shallow bowl, combine flour, salt, thyme, pepper and rosemary. Coat beef cubes lightly with flour mixture, reserving any remaining flour mixture to thicken stew.
2. In Dutch oven or stockpot, heat oil over medium heat. Brown beef cubes on all sides in batches. Add leeks, garlic and mushrooms to Dutch oven; cook until leeks are soft, about 5 minutes. Gradually stir in broth, scraping up brown bits from bottom of pan. Stir in wine and tomato paste; mix well. Bring to boil. Add browned beef and reduce heat, cover and simmer for 1 1/2 hours or until meat is tender.
3. To thicken, whisk 2 to 3 tablespoons (30 to 45 mL) cold water into reserved flour mixture until smooth. Gradually whisk into bubbling stew. Cook and stir until sauce thickens. Season with salt and pepper.

Beef and Portobello Pot Pie: Spoon cooled stew into shallow 6 cup (1.5 L) casserole. Brush top edge of casserole with slightly beaten egg white. Roll out half a (397 g) package, defrosted purchased puff pastry to a size that is 1-inch (2.5 cm) larger than casserole diameter. Place pastry over stew, sealing pastry to edge of casserole. Cut steam vents into pastry. Bake in 400°F (200°C) oven for 30 to 35 minutes or until filling bubbles and pastry is puffed and golden. (If stew is made ahead and refrigerated, increase baking time by 10 to 15 minutes).

Nutritional Information

Per Serving
Calories: 190
Protein: 22 g
Fat:7 g
Carbohydrates: 10 g

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Barbecued Tandoori Turkey Drumsticks with Spiced Mushroom Medley Pilaf

Recipe courtesy of Michelle of The Tiffin Box.

Prep Time: 4 hrs. | Cook Time: 45 mins.
Tip: You can make your own homemade spice blends using the recipes below. Otherwise, most Asian grocery stores and some major supermarkets all carry tandoori and garam masala spice blends.

Ingredients

For the tandoori turkey drumsticks:
2 fresh turkey drumsticks, skin on (around 600 g total weight)
2 – 3 tablespoons unscented oil (canola, vegetable, sunflower or grapeseed)
Lime wedges, to serve
Marinade:
3 tablespoons tandoori masala spice blend (you can use homemade or shop bought, see notes)
Juice of 1 lemon (about 2 -3 tablespoons)
3 tablespoons plain yogurt
2 cloves garlic, crushed
1 inch piece of ginger, grated
2 tablespoons unscented oil
Salt to taste
For the Spiced Mushroom Medley Pilaf:
2 + 2 tablespoons unscented oil
Pilaf whole spice mix (5 whole green cardamom pods, 5 cloves, 5 whole peppercorns, 3 inches cassia bark or cinnamon, 1 star anise and 1 bay leaf)
1 small onion, finely diced
1 inch piece of fresh ginger, finely chopped
2 cups basmati rice
1 teaspoon garam masala spice blend (you can use homemade or shop bought, see notes)
Generous pinch of saffron
3 cups boiling water
1 teaspoon salt or to taste
450g mixed mushrooms (I used a medley pack that had portabella, oyster, white button, crimini and enoki mushrooms), chopped roughly
For the Garam Masala:
2 star anise
3 pods black cardamom, seeds only
1½ tsps black peppercorns
1 tbsp crumbled cassia bark
1½ tsps whole cloves
1 tsp green cardamom pods
1 tsp crumbled whole mace
4½ tsps coriander seeds
1 tbsp cumin seeds
6 dried bay leaves
1 tsp grated nutmeg
For the Tandoori Masala:
½ cup mild long red Kashmiri chillies
¼ cup coriander seeds
1 tbsp cumin seeds
½ tbsp black peppercorns
½ tbsp whole cloves
½ tbsp green cardamom pods
1 black cardamom pod (optional)
1 tsp fenugreek seeds
6 inches of cassia bark (or cinnamon)
1 tsp ground ginger
1 tsp garlic powder
½ tsp grated nutmeg
½ tsp ground turmeric
3 – 4 tbsp paprika

Method

For the tandoori turkey drumsticks:
1. Whisk together the ingredients for the marinade, and season to taste. Make three deep slits into the turkey drumsticks, then rub the marinade into the turkey. Place in a sealed ziplock bag and marinate overnight, or for at least 4 – 6 hours in a refrigerator.
2. When ready to grill, bring the marinated turkey drumsticks back to room temperature.
3. Preheat the barbeque to 450 F. Brush the grilles with a little oil. Turn down the barbeque to 400 F, and grill the drumsticks for between 25 – 30 minutes (depending on the size of your turkey drumsticks), turning a couple of times, and brushing with oil, until the juices run clear and the turkey is cooked all the way through.
4. Rest the turkey for a few minutes before serving over the mushroom pilaf and a few lime wedges.
For the Spiced Mushroom Medley Pilaf:
1. Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a large pot, and add the pilaf whole spice mix. Stir and fry for about 30 seconds until the spices smell fragrant.
2. Add the onion and and fry on a gentle heat for about 5 minutes, until the onion is soft, but not coloured. Add the ginger and fry for an additional minute.
3. Add the basmati rice, garam masala and saffron, and fry together for 1 – 2 minutes, until the rice just turns opaque.
4. Add the boiling water and salt, and bring back to the boil. Turn down to the heat to low, then cover the pot with aluminium foil or a tight fitting lid. Cook undisturbed for 15 minutes, then turn off the heat and let it sit for 5 – 10 minutes without uncovering.
5. Meanwhile, heat the remaining 2 tablespoons of oil in a large pan, and saute the mushrooms on a high heat, stirring often, until golden, about 5 minutes.
6. Uncover the pilaf, and gently fluff up the rice. Stir in the mushrooms. Adjust seasoning and serve with the tandoori turkey drumsticks and lime wedges.
For the Garam Masala:
1. Heat a heavy frying pan over high heat and dry roast the black cardamom seeds and star anise just until fragrant, then immediately remove from the pan and set aside.
2. Now use the same pan to dry roast the remaining spices, one at a time, except the grated nutmeg, just until fragrant, then remove from the pan right away.
3. Once the spices are cool, grind them in a spice grinder then add the grated nutmeg.
Can be stored in an airtight container away from direct sunlight.
For the Tandoori Masala:
1. Heat a heavy pan until very hot then dry roast the spices, one at a time, between 30 – 45 seconds, until fragrant, then remove from the pan.
2. Allow to cool before blending to a fine powder in a spice grinder. Sieve if necessary to ensure a fine powder.
3. Combine with the ginger, garlic, nutmeg, turmeric and paprika.
Can be store in an airtight container, away from direct sunlight.
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Barbecued Mushroom and Spinach Pizzettes

Pitas make these individual pizzas a breeze to create for a nutritious light meal or snack.

Prep Time: 10 mins. | Cook Time: 8 mins. | Serves: 4
Tip: Thinner pitas will crisp better than thicker ones. To shave Parmesan easily use a vegetable peeler. Shaved Parmesan is most attractive but if substituting grated Parmesan use only ¼ cup (50 mL).

Ingredients

3 tbsp olive oil 45 mL
2 cloves garlic, crushed 2
4 large fresh Portabella Mushroom caps 4
4 6-7″ (15-17cm) whole wheat pita breads 4
1/3 cup sun-dried tomato pesto 75 mL
4 cups baby spinach or arugula leaves (2oz/60g) 1 L
1/2 cup shaved Parmesan or Romano cheese 125 mL
Fresh ground black pepper to taste

Method

  1. In a small bowl whisk oil and garlic together, lightly brush the mushrooms on both sides with garlic oil. Barbecue mushrooms on high heat for 2-3 minutes per side or until mushrooms are slightly softened.
  2. Meanwhile place pitas on the barbecue over high heat and cook for 2 minutes on one side or until warmed through. Remove to a tray or cutting board and spread softer side with the tomato pesto.
  3. Top with spinach leaves, and then warm mushrooms, stem side up. Return to barbecue and cook for additional 2-3 minutes o until slightly crisp. Garnish with Parmesan shavings. Cut in halves or quarters and serve immediately. Add pepper to taste.

Nutritional Information

Per Serving 1 Pizzette
Calories: 370
Sodium: 784 mg
Protein : 16.1 g
Fat: 17.9 g
Carbohydrates: 40.7 g
Dietary Fibre: 6.9 g

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