Carne de vita in sos de rosii picant / Beef in spicy tomato sauce

Ingrediente / Ingredients

• 800 gr carne de vita macra, fiarta / 800 gr lean beef, boiled
• 3-4 linguri ulei / 3-4 tbs oil
• 2 capatane de usturoi curatate si zdrobite / 2 heads of garlic, peeled and crushed
• 1 ½ - 2 lingurite faina / 1 ½ - 2 tsp flour
• 400 ml suc de rosii mai gros sau passata  / 400 ml thick tomatoe juice or passata
• 150 ml apa / 150 ml water
• 1 ½ lingurita zahar / 1 ½ tsp sugar
• praf de ardei iute  dupa gust / chilly powder, to taste
• sare dupa gust / salt, to taste
• piper negru macinat dupa gust / black ground pepper, to taste
• manuta frunze patrunjel tocate / a small hand of chopped parsley leafs 

Mod de preparare / Method of preparation

1. Intr-o tigaie mare se incinge uleiul si se prajeste carnea fiarta de vita pe pana se rumeneste pe ambele parti / Heat the oil in a large pan and fry the boiled beef on  both sides until brown.

2. Dupa ce se rumeneste se scoate pe o farfurie iar in uleiul ramas (daca ramane prea putin ulei mai adaugati 1 lingura) se distuie usturoiul avand grija sa nu se arda / After it is browned, take it out on a plate and in the remaining oil (if oil is too little, pour one more tbs) and fry the garlic, taking care not to burn it.

3. Cand usturoiul este distuit se adauga faina si se amesteca si se prajeste cateva secunde / When garlic is fried add flour, mix and fry for a few seconds.

4. Se adauga sucul de rosii sau pasata, apa si fierbe la foc mediu amestecand continuu pana devine de consistenta unei smantani mai groase / Add tomatoe juice or passata, water and boil over medim heat mixing continuously until gets the consistency of a thick cream.

5. Se adauga zaharul, sarea, praful de ardei iute, piperul si se amesteca bine iar in sosul rezultat se adauga carnea de vita si se lasa sa fiarba 2-3 minute la foc mic / Add the sugar, salt, chilly powder, pepper, mix well and in the resulted sauce add the beef and let it boil over medium heat for 2-3 minutes.

 

6. Cand este gata se stinge focul si se presara patrunjelul tocat / When done, turn off the heat and sprinkle the chopped parsley leafs.

7. Se serveste alaturi de cartofi nature sau piure de cartofi / Serve with baked or mashed potatoes.

Franzela picanta din carne / Spicy meat loaf

Ingredients / Ingrediente

• 5 oua / 5 eggs
• 500 g carne de vita tocata sau amestec vita cu porc / 500 g minced beef or beef mixted with pork
• 30 g radacina proaspat rasa de ghimbir / 30 g grated fresh root ginger
• 30 g usturoi zdrobit / 30 g crushed garlic
• 6 ardei iuti verzi, tocati / 6 fresh green chillies, chopped
• 2 cepe mici, tocate marunt / 2 small onions, finely chopped
• ½ lingurita curcuma macinata / ½ tsp ground turmeric
• 50 g coriandru proaspat, tocat / 50 g fresh coriander (cilantro), chopped
• 175 g cartofi, rasi / 175 g potatoes, grated
• sare dupa gust / salt, to taste

Mod de preparare / Method of preparation

1. Se preincalzeste cuprorul. Se bat 2 oua pana sunt pufoase si se toarna intr-o forma unsa pentru franzela.

Preheat the oven. Beat 2 eggs until fluffy and pour into the greased loaf pan.

2. Se amesteca carnea, ghimbirul si usturoiul, 4 ardei iuti verzi, o ceapa tocata, un ou batut, curcuma, coriandru proaspat, cartofii si sarea.

Mix together the meat, ginger and garlic, 4 green chillies, 1 chopped onion, 1 beaten egg, the turmeric, fresh coriander, potatoes and salt.

3. Se umple forma de franzela si se niveleaza suprafata.

Pack into the loaf pan and smooth the surface.

4. Se coace in cuptorul preincalzit pentru 45 de minute.

Cook in the preheated oven for 45 minutes.

5. Intre timp se bat ouale ramase si se amesteca cu ardeii verzi iuti ramasi si ceapa ramasa. Forma de franzela se scoate din cuptor si se toarna amestecul peste toata carnea.

Meanwhile beat the remaining eggs and fold in with the remaining green chillies and onion. Remove the loaf pan from the oven and pour the mixture all over the meat.

6. Se baga din nou in cuptor si se coace pana cand ouale se aseaza.

Return to the oven and cook until the eggs have set.

7. Se serveste calda.

Serve hot.

Chiftelute in sos picant / Koftas (meatballs) in a spicy sauce

Ingrediente / Ingredients

• 750 g carne macra de vita tocata / 750 g lean minced beef
• 6 lingurite seminte mac / 6 tsp poppy seeds
• 3 cepe medii, tocate / 3 medium onions, chopped
• 3 lingurite radacina de ghimbir proaspat zdrobit /  3 tsp crushed fresh root ginger
• 3 lingurite usturoi zdrobit / 3 tsp crushed garlic
• 2 lingurite sare / 2 tsp salt
• 2 lingurite  praf de ardei iute / 2 tsp chilli powder
• 4 lingurite coriandru macinat / 4 tsp ground coriander
• 3 linguri frunze de coriandru proaspete / 3 tbs fresh coriander leaves
• 2 oua / 2 eggs

Pentru sos / For the sauce

• 220 ml iaurt simplu / 220 ml plain yogurt
• 100 g pasta tomate / 100 g tomato paste
• 2 lingurite praf de ardei iute / 2 tsp chilli powder
• 2 lingurite sare / 2 tsp salt
• 3 lingurite usturoi zdrobit / 3 tsp crushed garlic
• 3 lingurite radacina de ghimbir zdrobit / 3 tsp fresh root ginger
• 3 lingurite garam masala / 3 tsp garam masala
• 4 linguri ulei / 6 tbs oil
• 1 ½ bat de scortisoara / 1 ½ cinnamom stick
• 650 ml water / 650 ml water

Mod de preparare / Method of preparation

1. Se pune carnea de vita intr-un castron iar peste semintele de mac si se da deoparte. 

Place the beef into a bowl and tip the poppy seeds on top and set aside.

2. Se pune ceapa intr-un robot de bucatarie impreuna cu ghimbirul zdrobit, usturoiul, sarea, praful de chilli, coriandrul macinat si coriandrul proaspat. 

Place the onion in a food processor, with the crushed ginger, garlic, salt, chilli powder, ground coriander and fresh coriander.

3. Amestecul de condimente se macina in jur de 30 de secunde, dupa care se adauga la carnea de vita si se amesteca bine. 

Grind this spice mixture for about 30 seconds, then add it to the beef and mix well.

 

4. Se bat ouale cu telul si se amesteca bine cu carnea de vita condimentata.

 Whisk the eggs and thoroughly mix it into the spiced beef. 

5. Se lasa sa stea in jur de 1 ora.

Leave to stand for about 1 hour.

 

6. Pentru sos se bate cu telul iaurtul, pasta de tomate, praful de ardei iute, sarea, usturoiul zdrobit, ghimbirul si garam masala.

For the sauce, whisk together the yogurt, tomato paste, chilli powder, salt, crushed garlic, ginger and garam masala.

7. Se incinge uleiul cu batul de scortisoara intr-o karahi sau wok timp de 1 minut, dupa care peste se toarna sosul preparat.

Heat the oil with the cinnamon stick in a  karahi or wok for about 1 minute, then pour in the prepared sauce.

 

8. Se reduce focul si se fierbe timp de 1 minut. Karahi sau wok-ul se i-a de pe foc si se da deoparte.

Lower the heat and cook for about 1 minute. Remove the karahi or wok from the heat and set aside.

9. Se rup bile mici din amestecul de carne iar folosing mainile se fac chiftelute.

Break off small balls of the meat mixture and make koftas (meatballs) using your hands. 

10. Cand sunt gata toate chiftelutele se pune din nou pe foc sosul in care se amesteca cu apa.

When all the koftas (meatballs) are ready, return the sauce to the heat and stir in the water. 

 

11. Se adauga in sos chiftelutele una cate una.

Drop in the koftas (meatballs) one by one.

12. Se acopera cu un capac si se fierb pana chiftelutele sunt fierte, amestecand usor de mai multe ori pentru a intoarce chiftelutele. 

Cover with a lid and cook until koftas (meatballs) are cooked, stirring gently several times to turn the koftas around.

13. Se servesc  fierbinti / Serve hot.

Curry de vita ca in Lahore / Lahore-style Beef Curry

Ingrediente / Ingredients:

• 60 ml ulei vegetal / 60 ml vegetable oil      
• 2 frunze de dafin / 2 bay leafs
• 2 cuisoare / 2 cloves
• 4 boabe piper negru / 4 black peppercorns
• 1 ceapa feliata / 1 onion, sliced
• 450 g carne vita dezosata, cubulete/ 450 g boneless beef, cubed
• ¼ lingurita curcuma / ¼ teaspoon turmeric
• 1 ½ praf de ardei iute rosu / 1 ½ chilli powder
• 1 lingurita seminte zdrobite de coriandru / 1 teaspoon crushed coriander seeds
• 2.5 cm bat de scortisoara / 2.5 cm piece cinnamon stick
• 1 lingurita usturoi zdrobit / 1 teaspoon crushed garlic
• 1 ½ lingurita sare / 1 ½ teaspoon salt
• 1.5  l apa / 1.5 l water
• 50 g mazare galbena uscata / 50 g yellow split peas
• 2 rosii (taiate in sferturi) / 2 tomatoes, quartered
• 2 ardei iuti verzi, tocati / 2 green chillies, chopped
• 1 lingura frunze proaspete de coriandru (tocate) / 1 tablespoon chopped fresh coriander (cilantro)

Mod de preparare / Method of preparation:

1. Se incinge uleiul intr-o tigaie wok sau o tigaie mare. Focul se da mai incet si se adauga frunzele de dafin, cuisoarele, boabele de piper si ceapa. Se distuie 5 minute sau pana cand ceapa capata o culoare aurie / Heat the oil in a wok or large pan. Lower the heat slightly and add the bay leafs, cloves, peppercorns and onion. Fry for about 5 minutes, or until the onion is golden.

2. Se adauga carnea de vita, turmeric, praful de ardei iute rosu, semintele de coriandru, batonul de scortisoara, usturoiul, sarea si se distuie/prajeste (stir fry) timp de 5 minute la foc mediu / Add the cubed beef, turmeric, chilli powder, coriander seeds, cinnamon stick, garlic and most of the salt, and stir fry for about 5 minutes over a medium heat.

3. Se toarna 900 ml de apa, se acopera cu capac si se fierbe timp de 35-40 de minute sau pana cand, carnea de vita este moale / Pour in 900 ml of the water and cover the pan with a lid and simmer for 35-40 minutes or until the beef is tender.

4. Se pune mazarea galbena uscata intr-o tigaie mare cu restul de apa, putina sare si se fierbe timp de 15 minute sau pana cand apa se evapora iar mazarea este destul de moale pentru a fi zdrobita / Put the yellow split peas into a large pan with the remaining measured water and a good pinch of salt and boil for 15 minutes, or until the water has almost evaporated and the peas is soft enough to be mashed.

5. Cand carnea de vita se inmoaie, se i-a capacul iar amestecul se lasa la prajit (stir fry) folosind o lingura de lemn pana cand uleiul se va ridica pe marginile tigaii / When the beef is tender, remove the lid and stir-fry the mixture using a wooden spoon, until  some free oil begins to appear on the sides of the pan.

6. Se adauga mazarea galbena si se amesteca bine cu carnea de vita. Se mai adauga si se amesteca si rosiile, ardeii si coriandrul proaspat tocat / Add the cooked yellow peas to the beef and mix together well. Stir in the tomatoes, chillies and chopped fresh coriander and serve.

Kebab din carne de vita / Beef Kebabs

Ingrediente / Ingredients

Pentru kebab-uri / For the kebabs:

• 900 g carne macra de vita tocata / 900 g lean minced beef
• 1 ceapa mare, tocata / 1 large onion, chopped
• 5 cm radacina de ghimbir proaspat, tocat / 5 cm piece fresh root ginger, chopped
• 2 catei de usturoi, zdrobiti / 2 garlic cloves, crushed
• 1 ardei iute proaspat verde, tocat / 1 fresh green chilli, chopped
• 1 lingurita praf de chilli / 1 tsp chilli powder
• 2 linguri de coriandru (cilantro) proaspat tocat / 2 tbsp chopped fresh coriander (cilantro)
• 1 lingurita garam masala / 1 tsp garam masala
• 2 lingurite coriandru macinat / 2 tsp ground coriander
• 1 lingurita chimion macinat / 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 lingurita sare / 1 tsp salt
• 1 ou / 1 egg
• 1 lingura iaurt simplu (low fat) / 1 tbsp plain yogurt (low fat)
• 1 lingura ulei / 1 tbsp oil
• salata mixta, pentru servit / mixed salad, to serve   

Pentru raita / For the raita:

• 250 ml iaurt simplu (low fat) 250 ml plain yogurt (low fat)
• ½ castravete, tocat fin / ½ cucumber, finely chopped
• 2 linguri menta proaspata tocata / 2 tbsp chopped fresh mint
• ¼ lingurita sare / ¼ tsp salt

Mod de preparare / Preparation

           

1. Pune toate ingredientele pentru kebab, cu exceptia iaurtului si a uleiului, intr-un blender si se amesteca pana cand compozitia se leaga / Put all the ingredients for the kebabs, except the yogurt and oil, into a blender and  blend until the mixture binds together.                                                     

    2. Scoate amestecul intr-un castron,  acopera-l si se lasa-l la marinat timp de 1 ora / Spoon the mixture into a bowl, cover and leave to marinate for 1 hour.

 3.  Pentru raita, amesteca toate ingredientele si lasa-le la racit in frigider timp de 15 minute / For the raita, mix together all the ingredients and chill for atleast 15 minutes in a refrigerator.

 

  4. Cu mainile usor infainate, imparte amestecul de vita in 8 portii egale, modeleaza-le in forme de carnati lungi / Devide the beef mixture into eight equal portions with lightly floured hands and mould into long sausage shapes.

 5. Unge kebab-urile usor cu iaurt si ulei si frige-le pe un gratar fierbinte intorcandu-le ocazional pana cand sunt rumenite peste tot / Brush the kebabs lightly with the yogurt and oil and cook them on a hot grill, turning them occasionally, until brown all over.

  6. Serveste kebab-urile pe un pat de salata mixta impreuna cu raita / Served the kebabs on a bed of mixed salad together with the raita.