Mediterranean Ground Beef Stir-Fry (Print Version)

# Ingredients:

→ Produce

01 - 4 cloves garlic, minced
02 - 1 red onion, diced
03 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
04 - 1 yellow bell pepper, diced
05 - 1 zucchini, diced
06 - 470 ml cherry tomatoes, halved
07 - 60 ml chopped green onions
08 - 60 ml chopped fresh parsley

→ Protein

09 - 450 grams ground beef (80% lean)
10 - 425 grams canned chickpeas, drained and rinsed

→ Pantry Staples

11 - 30 ml olive oil
12 - 425 grams canned tomato sauce
13 - 410 grams canned fire-roasted diced tomatoes, undrained

→ Spices & Seasoning

14 - 10 ml dried oregano
15 - 5 ml ground coriander
16 - 2.5 ml ground cinnamon
17 - 1.25 ml ground clove
18 - 5 ml ground cumin
19 - 1.25 ml ground allspice
20 - 1.25 ml crushed red pepper flakes
21 - 0.6 ml cayenne pepper

→ Dairy

22 - 120 ml crumbled feta cheese

# Instructions:

01 - Warm 30 ml of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
02 - Add minced garlic and diced red onion to the skillet. Sauté for 2 to 3 minutes, until softened and aromatic.
03 - Incorporate diced red and yellow bell peppers along with halved cherry tomatoes. Season lightly with salt. Continue cooking for 4 to 5 minutes, until the vegetables begin to tenderize. Transfer the sautéed vegetables to a separate large bowl and set aside.
04 - Add the remaining olive oil to the skillet over medium heat. Introduce the ground beef, spreading it into a thin, even layer. Season with oregano, coriander, cinnamon, cumin, allspice, clove, crushed red pepper flakes, and cayenne pepper (if desired).
05 - Sauté the ground beef for 7 to 9 minutes, breaking it apart until thoroughly browned and crumbly. Drain any accumulated excess fat from the skillet.
06 - Return the reserved cooked vegetables to the skillet with the browned beef. Pour in the canned tomato sauce, fire-roasted diced tomatoes (undrained), and drained, rinsed chickpeas. Stir thoroughly to combine all ingredients evenly.
07 - Reduce heat and simmer the mixture for 2 to 3 minutes, allowing the sauce to slightly thicken and the flavors to fully meld.
08 - Remove the skillet from heat. Garnish generously with chopped green onions, fresh parsley, and crumbled feta cheese.
09 - Serve the Mediterranean ground beef stir-fry hot, ideally alongside basmati or jasmine rice.

# Notes:

01 - For a leaner dish, utilize 90% lean ground beef or ground turkey as an alternative.
02 - Adjust the quantities of crushed red pepper and cayenne pepper to customize the desired spice level.
03 - Feel free to incorporate additional vegetables such as eggplant, mushrooms, or fresh spinach.
04 - Ground lamb, chicken, or plant-based crumbles can be used as a substitute for ground beef.
05 - For a dairy-free preparation, omit the feta cheese or substitute with a dairy-free feta alternative.
06 - Lentils can be effectively used as a substitute for chickpeas.
07 - Toast the spices briefly with the meat to enhance their aromatic intensity and flavor depth.
08 - Allow the finished dish to rest for a few minutes off the heat before serving; this helps the flavors fully meld.
09 - Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, or freeze for up to 3 months.

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