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Diner-Style & Eggless

Diner-Style & Eggless

A hearty and flavorful eggless beef mince dish, rich with vegetables like peppers and onions, simmered in a smoky tomato sauce. Perfect for spooning over thick-cut bread for a comforting meal.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 350

Ingredients
  

  • 450 g lean beef mince 10-15% fat
  • 2 medium onions finely diced
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 red pepper deseeded and finely diced
  • 1 green pepper deseeded and finely diced
  • 400 g tin chopped tomatoes
  • 150 ml vegetable stock
  • 2 tablespoons plain flour
  • 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • ½ teaspoon chilli powder optional, for a kick
  • 2 tablespoons tomato purée
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • Fresh parsley chopped, for garnish
  • 4-6 slices of thick-cut bread for serving

Method
 

  1. Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large, heavy-bottomed frying pan or skillet over medium-high heat until it shimmers. Add the beef mince, breaking it up with a spoon. Cook until the mince is beautifully browned all over, losing its raw, pink colour and developing a rich, caramelised aroma. This should take about 7-8 minutes. Drain any excess fat and set the mince aside.
  2. In the same pan, add the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Reduce the heat to medium and add the finely diced onions. Sauté gently, stirring occasionally, until they soften and turn translucent, taking on a pale, golden hue, which usually takes 5-7 minutes.
  3. Stir in the minced garlic, red pepper, and green pepper. Continue to cook for another 5 minutes, allowing the peppers to soften slightly and release their sweet, earthy scent. The colours of the vegetables should become vibrant and inviting.
  4. Sprinkle the plain flour over the vegetables and stir well for 1 minute, ensuring the flour is fully incorporated and cooks out, losing its raw flour smell. This step helps to thicken our sauce later.
  5. Return the browned beef mince to the pan. Add the smoked paprika, dried oregano, chilli powder (if using), and tomato purée. Stir everything together for 1-2 minutes, letting the spices bloom and coat the meat and vegetables, releasing their aromatic oils. The mixture should smell wonderfully rich and smoky.
  6. Pour in the tinned chopped tomatoes and vegetable stock. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat to low, cover the pan, and let it cook for at least 20-25 minutes. The sauce should visibly thicken and deepen in colour, and the flavours will meld together beautifully, filling your kitchen with a hearty, savoury aroma. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
  7. Taste the mixture and adjust seasoning with salt and freshly ground black pepper as needed. The flavour should be robust and well-balanced.
  8. To serve, spoon generous portions of the Diner-Style & Eggless mixture over thick-cut bread, toasted or fresh. Garnish generously with fresh chopped parsley for a burst of freshness and colour.

Notes

For an extra kick, don't skip the chilli powder. Serving with toasted bread adds a delightful crunch. This dish reheats well and can be a great make-ahead option.