Who doesn't LOVE quick ground beef recipes?! This 30 minute semi-homemade spiced ground beef mezze is an excellent way to mix it up for a quick and easy ground beef meal! It's Middle Eastern inspired spiced ground beef browned to juicy perfection (thank you Butcher's Blend!!) served over creamy store bough hummus and served with anything you've got on hand. It's a healthy, flavorful weeknight family meal that rivals takeout!
Spiced Beef Over Hummus Ingredients:
1-2 tablespoons olive oil, split for cooking the beef and drizzling over the hummus
1 shallot, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, crushed
1 pound Country Natural Beef Butcher's Blend
1 10oz container of your preferred hummus
1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon Baharat / Ras El Hanout / Moroccan Seasoning blend
Kosher salt and pepper to taste
Baharat Seasoning (makes 1 Spice jar full):
2 ½ teaspoons cumin
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon sweet paprika
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon coriander
¾ teaspoon cinnamon
½ teaspoon clove
½ teaspoon nutmeg
¼ teaspoon cardamom
You can substitute your favorite store bough Baharat or Ras El Hanout seasoning, or make this and have on hand! This seasoning is very common in Middle Eastern cooking and brings a smoky, sweet, bold and balanced aromatic quality to meats and veggies of all kinds cooked in all way!
Garnish (optional):
2-3 tablespoons crunchy topping - Dry toasted pine nuts, sesame seeds, pumpkin seeds, or chickpeas over top for added flavor and crunch
1 tablespoon fresh herbs, finely chopped - parsley, cilantro, mint, or chives would all work great to add freshness
½ cup chopped cherry tomatoes (in warm seasons) / Pomegranate (in cooler seasons) to add color and depth
Lemon Juice - a squeeze of lemon over the top of the meal adds brightness
Sumac - a tart and bright seasoning often sprinkled over hummus
Instructions:
1. Remove your Country Natural Beef Butcher's Blend ground beef and store bought hummus from the fridge, let sit for 10 minutes to come towards room temperature.
a. Season the meat with Baharat seasoning blend, kosher salt and cracked pepper and gently mix.
2. Start warming a large skillet. Once it is warm, drizzle in enough avocado oil to coat the bottom of the pan.
a. Once the oil is heated, add the shallot and cook for 1-2 minutes until it starts softening.
b. Spoon the shallot out to a small dish and set aside.
3. Add a little more olive oil if needed, and then add the spiced meat.
a. Quickly spread it into a thin layer with a wooden spoon or spatula.
b. Leave the meat undisturbed for a few minutes until it is seared and browned.
c. Using a fish spatula, flip the meat in sections so it can sear on the other side.
d. When the meat is nearly done, add the raw crusted garlic and the cooked shallot into the meat. Mix it all up to cook the garlic a bit and break the beef up into small chunks.
4. In a shallow, medium sized bowl use a rubber spatula to spread the hummus into a thin layer.
a. Top the hummus with a little drizzle of olive oil.
b. Carefully spoon the ground beef over top followed by sprinkling the other optional toppings as well.
Serve with whatever sides you'd like, or alternatively as an appetizer with pita, crudités, chips, or crackers!