Middle Eastern Style Ground Beef

I recently entertained and decided to make a Middle Eastern/Greek meal- so I started with this ground beef dish flavored with mint and garlic. I served the meal with warm pita bread with delicious feta cheese and hummus for appetizers…

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon dried mint
• 2 teaspoons garam masala
• 1 pound grass fed ground beef
• 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
• 3 garlic cloves, chopped
• 2 medium tomatoes, seeds and core removed, chopped
• ½ cup tomato sauce, homemade or store bought
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1/3 cup flat leaf parsley, chopped
• 1/3 cup fresh mint, chopped

Heat a large saucepan with the oil. Add the dried mint and garam masala and sauté on medium heat for 10 seconds. Add the ground beef and increase the heat to high and sauté while separating the meat with a wooden spoon for 4 to 5 minutes. Add the onion, garlic, tomatoes and tomato sauce. Saute on high heat for another 4 to 5 minutes, stirring constantly. Add the salt and lower the heat to medium and cook with the lid on for 8 to 10 minutes. Take the lid off and check for seasonings. Garnish with parsley and mint. Serve with heated pita.