Curried Beef Casserole

Name: Curried Beef Casserole
Ingredients: 1 cup fresh bread crumbs; 1 cup milk; 5 large eggs; 2 tablespoons unsalted butter; 2 pounds ground beef round; 1 large onion , chopped; 1 medium pear , cored and chopped; 2 garlic cloves, minced; 2 tablespoons curry powder; Grated zest of 1 large lemon; 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice; ½ cup blanched slivered almonds; ½ cup chopped dried apricots; 1 teaspoon salt; ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper; ¾ cup heavy or whipping cream; 4 bay leaves; Chutney , for garnish

Chef

Eric Copage

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Cookbook

Fruits of the Harvest: Recipes to Celebrate Kwanzaa and Other Holidays

Published by Amistad

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This image courtesy of Joseph DeLeo

This famous South African dish was introduced to that cuisine via Indonesia, which was also a Dutch colony

NotesThis meal is easy to make ahead and reheat, and so it is a popular buffet dish.

Serves6 to 8

Cooking Methodbaking

CostModerate

Easy

Total Timeunder 2 hours

Make Ahead RecipeYes

OccasionBuffet, Casual Dinner Party

Recipe Coursemain course

Dietary Considerationpeanut free, soy free

Equipmentbaking/gratin dish

Mealdinner

Taste and Texturecreamy, hot & spicy, meaty, rich, spiced

Ingredients

1 cup fresh bread crumbs
1 cup milk
5 large eggs
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 pounds ground beef round
1 large onion, chopped
1 medium pear, cored and chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 tablespoons curry powder
Grated zest of 1 large lemon
3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
½ cup blanched slivered almonds
½ cup chopped dried apricots
1 teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
¾ cup heavy or whipping cream
4 bay leaves
Chutney, for garnish

Instructions

Position a rack in the top third of the oven, and preheat to 325°. Lightly butter a 9- by 13-inch baking dish.
In a medium bowl, mix together the bread crumbs, milk, and 1 of the eggs. Set aside.
Heat the butter in a large skillet. Add the ground round, onion, and pear, and cook over high heat, stirring often, until the meat has lost its pink color, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic, curry powder, lemon zest, and lemon juice, and stir for 1 minute. Stir in the almonds, apricots, salt, and cayenne. Remove the skillet from the heat and allow the mixture to cool slightly.
Stir the meat mixture into the bread crumbs, and combine well. Transfer to the prepared baking dish, smooth the top, and place on a baking sheet.
In a medium bowl, whisk the heavy cream with the remaining 4 eggs until smooth. Press the bay leaves into the top of the meat, and then pour the cream mixture over it.
Bake until the custard is set and lightly browned, about 45 minutes. Serve, with a bowl of chutney passed alongside.
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