Pilau Rice "n" Spice Supper

This “made from next to nothing” meal is delicious, interesting and can be styled up or down as your budget allows.

Ingredients

• 350-500g minced beef, pork or chicken
• 1 tsp oil, if needed
• 1 onion, chopped
• ½ tsp cinnamon
• ½ tsp ground allspice
• 1 ½ tsp salt
• ½ tsp ground pepper
• 1 ½ cups long grain rice
• 2 ½ cups stock – chicken if using chicken or pork mince, beef if using beef mince
• 2-3 cups frozen mixed veg
• a handful toasted almonds or pine nuts – optional

Method

Brown the meat in a large frying pan with a drop of oil if needed, breaking up the lumps with a fork or masher till evenly browned and crumbly.

Add the onion and spices, reduce the heat and cover. Cook for 10 minutes.

Stir in the rice, stock and vegetables, bring to a simmer, add salt and stir once to ensure nothing is sticking.

Cover, reduce heat to low and cook for 20 minutes without stirring or until the rice is cooked and liquid absorbed.

Variations – add seasonal vegetables, chick peas, spicy sausage and fresh herbs if you have them.

Tip

Serve as a light meal, or as a side dish or use the mixture to stuff capsicums or other vegetables.