Spicy Beef & Aubergine Bake

Spicy Beef & Aubergine Bake

Serves 6

2 tbsp oil (use from allowance or use frylight) 

1 onion, chopped

2 garlic cloves, crushed

1 tsp ground ginger

½ tsp turmeric

½ ground allspice

¼ tsp ground nutmeg

1-2 fresh green chillies, seeded & chopped

1 tsp dried thyme

700g extra lean minced beef or use quorn mince

1 aubergine , grated

juice of ½ lemon

2 tbsp tomato puree

2 tbsp chopped fresh coriander

salt & pepper

Topping

300 ml skimmed milk

2 eggs, beaten

pinch ground nutmeg

4 bay leaves

Heat oil in a heavy pan and add the onion & garlic.  Cook 5 mins then add the ginger, turmeric, allspice, nutmeg, chillies and thyme.  Fry 1 min.

Add the mince, increase the heat and cook until browned.  Stir in the aubergine and fry for 5 mins.  Add the lemon juice, tomato puree, coriander and seasoning.  Simmer for 15 mins. Transfer to an ovenproof dish.  Leave to cool.

Preheat oven  to 350ºF/180ºC/Gas 4

For the topping, put the milk, eggs and nutmeg into a jug and whisk together.  Pour over the beef and tuck the bay leaves around the edge.

Bake for 40-50 mins until the topping is set and golden.