Slow Cooker Beef and Bean Taco or Burrito Filling
A nicely spiced, easy to make beef and bean filling to mound into taco shells, or roll in flour tortilla shells, with other ingredients. The latter could include grated cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese, shredded lettuce, sliced jalape帽o peppers, saut茅ed bell peppers and onions and chopped fresh cilantro or green onion.
Preparation time: 10 minutes
Cooking time: 8 hours, 10 minutes
Makes: Enough to fill 8 to 12 taco shells; 4 to 6, 10-inch flour tortillas.
1 1/4 lbs. lean ground beef
1/2 medium onion, diced
1 large garlic clove, minced (optional)
1 (14 oz.) can crushed tomatoes
1/2 cup beef stock or water
2 Tbsp brown sugar
2 tsp chili powder
1 tsp ground cumin
1/2 tsp oregano
1 to 2 tsp hot pepper sauce, or to taste
1 (19 oz.) can white or red kidney beans, drained well, rinsed in cold water, and drained well again
鈥� salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Place the beef, onion and garlic in a pot and set over medium heat. Cook and stir until the meat is cooked through. Drain any fat from the meat. (If cooking the meat the night before needed, place in a shallow bowl, cool to room temperature, cover and refrigerate until ready to finish the dish.)
Place the cooked beef mixture in your slow cooker. Mix in the remaining ingredients, except salt and pepper. Cover and cook on the low setting for 8 hours. Taste the beef and bean mixture, season with salt and pepper to taste and its ready to use.
Note: This recipe was tested in an oval slow cooker with a 6-litre capacity. However, it could be made in a slow cooker with a smaller 3- to 5-litre capacity.
Bolognese Sauce
Serve this rich-tasting meat sauce over pasta, such as spaghetti, rigatoni, ravioli or penne. You could also use the sauce to make very tasty open-faced sandwiches by spooning and mounding it on toasted slabs of garlic bread.
Preparation time: 20 minutes
Cooking time: About 40 minutes
Makes: 4 servings
1 lb. lean ground beef
1 small onion, finely chopped
1/3 cup finely chopped celery
1/3 cup finely chopped green bell pepper
1 garlic clove, minced
1 (14 oz.) can crushed tomatoes
1 Tbsp tomato paste
1 cup beef stock or water
1/2 tsp dried basil
1/2 tsp dried oregano
鈥� pinch granulated sugar
鈥� pinch crushed chili flakes (optional)
鈥� pinch fennel seed (optional)
1 bay leaf
鈥� salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
1/3 cup milk (optional)
Place the beef, onion, celery, bell pepper and garlic in a pot set over medium heat. Cook and stir until the meat is cooked through. Carefully drain the excess fat from the pot.
Add the remaining ingredients, except salt, black pepper and milk, and bring to a gentle simmer. Gently simmer, partially covered (don't completely cover as steam needs to escape) for 30 to 35 minutes, stirring occasionally, or until thickened and rich in colour. Mix in the milk, if using. Season the sauce with salt and pepper and it's ready to use.
Asian-style Meatball Sandwiches with Ginger Sauce
Juicy beef meatballs sandwiched in a bun with an addictive ginger sauce, carrot, cucumber and lettuce.
Preparation time: 30 minutes
Cooking time: 25 minutes
Makes: 4 to 6 servings
For the sauce
2/3 cup mayonnaise
2 to 3 tsp finely grated fresh ginger
2 Tbsp soy sauce
1 Tbsp rice vinegar or lime juice
1 tsp honey, or to taste
1 tsp sesame oil
Combine all ingredients in a small bowl. Cover and refrigerate until needed.
For the meatballs and other sandwich ingredients
1 1/4 lbs. lean ground beef
1/4 cup breadcrumbs
1 large egg
2 green onions, thinly sliced
2 Tbsp soy sauce
鈥� freshly ground black pepper to taste
4 to 6 large hot dog or panini buns, split and warmed
鈥� shredded leaf or head lettuce, to taste
鈥� grated carrot and English cucumber, to taste
鈥� hot Asian-style chili sauce, to taste (optional)
Preheat the oven to 375 F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Combine the first 6 ingredients in a bowl.
Moisten your hands with cold water, roll the meat into 2-inch balls and set on the baking sheet. Roast 25 minutes, or until cooked through. Drain any excess fat from the meatballs.
Divide the meatballs among the buns. Top with ginger sauce, lettuce, carrot and cucumber. If you like things spicy, also drizzle the meatballs with some hot chili sauce.
