Mince Beef Goulash!

We are great spaghetti bolognese and chilli eaters in this house but occassionally I like to make a meal that is different with the mince beef we buy. Now I know traditionally Goulash is made with beef stewing steak, but this is my quick version. Well, depending on how you decide to cook it.

Traditionally, Goulash is a stew of meat and vegetables that is seasoned with paprika and other spices. It was originally a medieval Hungarian shepherds meal. Back then, the cooked and flavoured meat was dried in the sun and packed into bags made from sheep stomachs. So when it was cooked it only needed water to make it into a meal.

Nowadays, Goulash can be prepared from beef, veal, pork or lamb. Typical cuts include shank, shin or shoulder. Meat is cut into chunks, seasoned with salt and then browned with onion in a pot with a lid. Paprika is added, along with stock, soup vegetables, herbs and other spices. All the elements of a Goulash are in this recipe apart from the meat. It’s delicious and well worth a try.

Serves 4

Equipment needed

• Sharp knife
• Chopping board
• Slow cooker or saucepan
• Teaspoon
• Measuring jug

Ingredients

• Mince beef x 500g
• Onion x 1
• Garlic x 2 cloves
• Red pepper x 1
• Yellow pepper x 1
• Courgette x 1
• Tomatoes x 1 400g tin
• Bone broth or chicken stock x 500mls
• Smoked paprika x 1 tsp
• Mild or hot chilli powder x 1tsp
• Oregano x 1 tsp
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Olive oil for the frying pan
• Green beans x 4 large handfuls

Method for the slow cooker

• Start by chopping the onions and slicing the garlic.
• Add this to the slow cooker pot.
• Next slice the red and yellow peppers and the courgettes.
• Again add these to the slow cooker.
• Then pour in the tinned tomatoes and bone broth or chicken stock.
• Sprinkle over the smoked paprika, mild or hot chilli powder and the oregano.
• Season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Put the lid on the slow cooker and put on high for 4 hours or low for 8 hours.
• 30 minutes before the end of the cooking time, put the mince beef into the frying pan with the oil.
• Put enough oil in to cover the base of the pan and heat to a medium to high heat.
• Now fry the mince beef until it’s golden brown and add to the slow cooker.
• Finally add in the green beans.
• When the green beans are tender the meal is cooked.
• Serve with rice or potatoes and enjoy.

Method for the pan

• Start by chopping the onions and slicing the garlic then set aside
• Next slice the red and yellow peppers and the courgettes.
• Put the frying pan on a medium to high heat.
• Add enough olive oil to cover the base of the pan.
• Once it’s hot add in the onions and fry until translucent.
• Now add in the garlic and fry for a further minute or so.
• Then add in the mince beef and fry until it’s golden brown.
• Next add in the red and yellow pepper and the courgette.
• Sprinkle over the smoked paprika, mild or hot chilli powder and the oregano.
• Pour over the tinned tomatoes and the bone broth or chicken stock.
• Season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Leave to simmer for 30 to 40 minutes.
• Before the end of the cooking process add in the green beans.
• When the green beans are tender the meal is cooked.
• Serve with rice and potatoes and enjoy.

Mince Beef Goulash is a tasty dish that will feed the whole family and it’s a yummy change to spaghetti bolognese. It’s tradionally eaten with potatoes but we decided we would like it with brown rice to be healthier. Potatoes can be added into the cooking process if you would like a one pot dish. Just add them in at the beginning of the slow cooker recipes. Or if using the frying pan method add them once the tomatoes and stock are added. As with most of these meals, the sauce could be made in advance and frozen or the portion could be doubled and frozen. So it becomes a really quick meal for another night. When I served this to my family the other night, plates were clean at the end of the meal. A great meal to serve to a hungry family. Mince beef is such a great food I would love to know what meals you like to cook with it? However you decide to eat this dish, as always, enjoy.