Casserole with bulgur and minced meat

Ingredients for 3 servings:

• 75 g bulgur or couscous
• 1 tsp vegetable stock powder
• 150 g water, boiling
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp flour
• 1 onion(s)
• 1 chili pepper(s)
• some oil for frying
• 1 clove(s) garlic
• 250 g minced beef or lamb
• 4 allspice berries
• 1 tsp cumin
• ½ tsp coriander seeds
• some salt and pepper, freshly ground
• 50 g tahini
• 2 tbsp lemon juice
• 3 tbsp water, hot
• 2 tbsp pistachios, chopped
• 100 g sheep’s cheese

Instructions

Working time approx. 20 minutes; Cooking/baking time approx. 35 minutes; Total time approx. 55 minutes

Finely grind the allspice, cumin, and coriander. Mix the bulgur or couscous with the vegetable stock, pour boiling water over it, and let it swell. Stir, stirring in 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Sprinkle the flour over the mixture, mix well, and press into a prepared casserole dish. Finely dice the onion, deseed and finely slice the chili pepper, and fry both in a little oil. Crush the garlic and fry briefly. Add the minced meat and spices to the pan and fry until crumbly (do not brown). Season with salt and pepper to taste. Spread the minced meat over the bulgur and press down lightly. Bake in a preheated oven at 200°C for about 15 minutes. Mix the tahini with 2-3 tablespoons of hot water and 2 tablespoons of lemon juice, pour over the casserole, and spread evenly. Sprinkle with pistachios and crumble the feta cheese over the top. Bake for approximately 15-20 minutes. This serves 2-3 people, depending on appetite and side dishes. Tip: The casserole is quite dry, so it’s best served with yogurt or yogurt sauce and salad. Variations: Distribute tomato slices over the minced meat. Replace the pistachios with almonds. Instead of using the individual spices listed, you can also season the minced meat with a ready-made spice blend such as Baharat, Ras al Hanout, or Garam Masala. The amount of chili pepper you use depends on your personal taste and the spiciness of the pepper. Alternatively, use some chili powder or chili flakes and grind them together with the spices.