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SIMPLE SPICED BEEF AND CHICKPEA SKILLET WITH YOGURT AND MINT OIL

SIMPLE SPICED BEEF AND CHICKPEA SKILLET WITH YOGURT AND MINT OIL

SIMPLE SPICED BEEF AND CHICKPEA SKILLET WITH YOGURT AND MINT OIL

This quick and hearty skillet recipe combines lean ground beef with fragrant spices and tender chickpeas for a nourishing meal. Finished with cooling yogurt and vibrant mint oil or spicy chili oil, it’s perfect for a nutritious dinner made with minimal effort.


🕒 Prep Time: 10 min

🍳 Cook Time: 20 min
🍽️ Yields: 4 servings


Ingredients

  • 500 g lean ground beef (up to 20% fat; beef-pork mix also works)
  • 3 garlic cloves, crushed
  • 1 heaping tsp freshly grated ginger
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp ground coriander
  • ½ tsp chili flakes
  • ½ tsp turmeric powder
  • 250 g cooked chickpeas (with 150 ml cooking liquid) or canned chickpeas with liquid
  • Yogurt or buttermilk (drinkable varieties preferred)
  • 2 tbsp cooking oil (olive or vegetable)

For serving:

  • Mint-infused oil or zhoug (spicy herb sauce)
  • Spicy chili oil

Instructions

1. Sauté Aromatics and Spices

  • Heat oil in a wide skillet over medium heat.
  • Add crushed garlic and grated ginger; sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant.
  • Stir in cumin, coriander, chili flakes, and turmeric; cook quickly to release their aromas.

2. Cook the Beef

  • Add ground beef and break up with a spoon into small pieces.
  • Cook, stirring occasionally, until browned and no longer pink.
  • Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper while cooking.
  • If there’s excess fat, tilt the pan and spoon some off.

3. Add Chickpeas and Simmer

  • Add chickpeas along with their cooking liquid or canned juice.
  • Bring to a gentle boil, cover, and simmer on low heat for 15 minutes.
  • Adjust seasoning near the end.

4. Serve

  • Transfer beef and chickpea mixture to a serving platter.
  • Drizzle generously with yogurt — thin it slightly with water and salt if too thick, aiming for a pourable consistency.
  • Drizzle mint oil or zhoug over the yogurt.
  • Optionally drizzle a bit of homemade or store-bought spicy chili oil.

💡 Mint Oil Preparation

  • In a mortar, crush fresh mint leaves (or mint and parsley mix) with salt.
  • Slowly add oil until pourable.
  • Finish with a splash of lemon juice.

💡 Chili Oil Preparation

  • Heat 2 tbsp oil in a small pan.
  • Stir in ⅛ tsp sweet paprika and ¼ tsp chili flakes.
  • Heat until fragrant and sizzling, then remove from heat.

Serving Suggestion

Pair this dish with a simple salad of tomatoes, cucumbers, and red onion or any fresh greens you have on hand.