Bazella Middle Eastern Style Beef Casserole Recipes

LEBANESE/SYRIAN BAZELLA

Steps:

• Cut onion in to small pieces. Do not mince or chop too finely, but at the same time, do not cut or chop too coarsely. Set aside.
• Wash carrots and cut them into 1/4" thick pieces. Basically, you don't want them too thin or they will disintegrate into the broth. You can peel them if you prefer, before cutting. Set aside.
• In a large frying pan, brown the meat with some seasoning salt and pepper. Add the onion and some olive oil from the bottle. Make sure all the meat is brown. Set aside.
• In a stew pan, fry the 3 tbsp of tomato paste in the 1/4 cup olive oil for about 5-8 minutes. If it seems dry-looking, add a small amount of extra oil at a time. It should look chunky in the oil, not runny like soup. Stir constantly, it will burn very fast!
• Reduce the heat, add first 2 cups of water. Stand back, it may spit at you! Keep adding until all 6 cups have been added. Add the soup cubes. Let this boil for 5 minutes. Scrape the bottom of the pan, making sure all of the tomato paste mixes in the water.
• Add the meat, carrots and peas. Allow to come to a boil (takes about 5 minutes) then reduce heat to a simmer. Add salt and pepper to your taste. Cook until meat is tender. Cooking time depends on the quality of meat.
• Serve with Middle Eastern rice.
• Extra water may be added to counter-act any saltiness or if too much evaporated out while cooking.
• Cooking times may vary depending on stove type. Just keep on eye on it and never walk away from cooking food! Stainless steel or a non-stick pan may be used. I prefer non-stick. This may also be transferred to a large crock pot and set on low. Yield depends on how much water is allowed to boil out, but pretty much it makes a lot! Count on leftovers if you're not having people over.

BAZELLA (MIDDLE EASTERN-STYLE BEEF CASSEROLE)

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350°F
• Heat the oil in heavy-based frying pan over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic, and gently fry until golden.
• Add the braising steak and cinnamon, and fry for a further 3-5 minutes, stirring, until the meat is lightly browned. Transfer the contents of the frying pan to a casserole.
• Deglaze the frying pan with half the wine, and pour this mixture into the casserole.
• Add the tomato paste, water and remaining wine to the casserole. Stir in the bay leaf and a dash of Worcestershire sauce. Mix well and season to taste.
• Place the casserole in the oven and cook for 1 hour 30 minutes.
• Stir in the beans and cook for a further 10 minutes.
• Stir in the parsley just before serving.
• Ladle into serving dishes and garnish each dish with a parsley sprig.
• Serve with good crusty bread.

MEXICAN-STYLE BEEF CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Chop avocado flesh and mash in a bowl. Add tomatoes, onion, lime juice, garlic, cilantro, and salt. Cover with a lid or plastic wrap and refrigerate guacamole until ready to serve.
• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
• Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook and stir beef in the hot skillet until browned and crumbly, 5 to 7 minutes. Drain and discard grease. Add water and taco seasoning; stir until combined. Simmer until thickened, 3 to 4 minutes.
• Spread refried beans into the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking pan. Top with black beans. Spread ground beef mixture on top of beans. Drizzle tomato sauce over the whole mixture.
• Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes. Sprinkle Mexican cheese blend on top. Continue baking until cheese is melted, about 1 minute more.
• Top each serving with guacamole, sour cream, and scallions.