Description
Aromatic mince and apricots with minty bulgur is a vibrant, flavorful dish combining spiced lean beef mince simmered with chickpeas and sweet dried apricots, served alongside tender bulgur wheat infused with fresh mint and topped with crunchy toasted almonds. This wholesome and comforting meal offers a delightful balance of savory, sweet, and fresh flavors perfect for an easy weeknight dinner.
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
- 160g bulgur wheat
- 1 litre water (for cooking bulgur)
To Serve
- 1 tbsp fresh mint leaves, chopped
- 10g toasted almond flakes
Instructions
- Fry the Onion: Heat the rapeseed oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add the sliced onion and fry, stirring occasionally, until the onion starts turning golden and soft, about 5-7 minutes.
- Cook the Mince: Add the lean beef mince to the pan, breaking it up with a wooden spoon. Continue cooking until the mince is evenly browned and no longer pink.
- Add Spices and Paste: Stir in the cumin seeds, harissa paste, and tomato purée. Mix thoroughly to coat the mince and onions with the spices and paste.
- Add Remaining Ingredients: Sprinkle in the vegetable bouillon powder, then add the chickpeas with their liquid, halved dried apricots, and 150ml water. Stir well to combine all ingredients evenly.
- Simmer the Mince Mixture: Cover the pan with a lid and cook over low heat for 20 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the apricots to soften.
- Cook the Bulgur: While the mince simmers, bring 1 litre of water to a boil in a separate pot. Add the bulgur wheat, cover, and reduce to medium heat. Cook for 15 minutes or until tender.
- Drain Bulgur: If there is any remaining water after cooking, drain the bulgur well. Stir the chopped fresh mint through the bulgur wheat to add a refreshing flavor.
- Serve: Plate the minty bulgur alongside the aromatic mince and apricot mixture. Sprinkle the toasted almond flakes on top for a delightful crunch and garnish.
Notes
- You can substitute beef mince with lamb or turkey mince as preferred.
- For a vegetarian version, replace beef with cooked lentils or a plant-based mince substitute.
- Adjust harissa paste quantity to control the spice level.
- Soaking bulgur in boiling water instead of cooking is possible but cooking ensures a tender texture.
- To toast almonds, dry fry them in a pan over medium heat for 2-3 minutes until golden and fragrant.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Keywords: mince, apricots, bulgur, middle eastern, aromatic, healthy dinner, spiced beef, mint, chickpeas, harissa
