This Potato and Minced Meat Dinner is a hearty, savory dish that’s perfect for a family meal. The combination of golden, crispy potatoes, rich minced meat, and fresh mushrooms, topped with melted mozzarella, creates a flavorful and satisfying meal. The refreshing yogurt sauce with cucumber and dill adds a bright contrast to the dish.
Ingredients:
For the Main Dish:
- 1 kg (2.2 lbs) potatoes
- 4 eggs
- 1 onion
- 3 cloves garlic
- 500 g (1.1 lbs) minced meat (beef, pork, or a mix)
- 150 g (5.3 oz) raw mushrooms, cleaned and sliced
- 150 ml (⅔ cup) tomato sauce
- 150 g (5.3 oz) hard mozzarella, grated
- 1 bunch green onions, finely chopped
- Vegetable oil, to taste
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
- Sweet paprika, to taste
- Dried ground garlic, to taste
For the Sauce:
- 20 g (1 tbsp + 1 tsp) yogurt
- 20 g (1 tbsp + 1 tsp) mayonnaise
- 3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
- 1 cucumber, grated
- 1 bunch dill, finely chopped
Method of Preparation:
1. Prepare the Potatoes
- Wash and peel 1 kg of potatoes, then cut them into even pieces for uniform cooking.
- Heat some vegetable oil in a large frying pan over medium heat. Add the potato pieces and fry, stirring regularly, until they are golden and slightly crispy. This should take about 10-15 minutes.
- Season the potatoes with salt, pepper, and sweet paprika to taste. Stir to evenly coat the potatoes with the seasoning.
2. Prepare the Egg Mixture
- While the potatoes are cooking, crack 4 eggs into a bowl. Add a pinch of salt and pepper, and beat with a whisk until smooth.
- Once the potatoes are cooked, transfer them to a large bowl. Pour the beaten eggs over the potatoes and mix thoroughly to coat them evenly.
3. Add the Green Onions
- Finely chop 1 bunch of green onions and mix them into the potato and egg mixture. Stir well to distribute the onions evenly.
- Pour the entire potato and egg mixture into a round ovenproof dish, spreading it out evenly.
4. Cook the Meat and Mushrooms
- In a separate pan, heat a drizzle of vegetable oil over medium heat. Add 1 chopped onion and fry until golden and translucent, about 5 minutes.
- Grate 1 clove of garlic directly into the pan and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
- Add 500 g of minced meat to the pan and cook, stirring, until the meat is browned and cooked through.
- Stir in 150 g of sliced mushrooms and cook for a few minutes until the mushrooms soften slightly.
- Season with salt, pepper, and dried garlic to taste. Pour in 150 ml of tomato sauce and mix well. Let the mixture simmer for about 5 minutes.
5. Assemble the Dish
- Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F).
- Grate 150 g of mozzarella cheese.
- In the ovenproof dish with the potato and egg base, sprinkle a layer of grated mozzarella over the potatoes.
- Add the cooked minced meat and mushroom mixture on top of the cheese layer.
- Top with the remaining potatoes and sprinkle another layer of grated cheese over the top.
- Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 30 minutes, or until the top is golden and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
6. Prepare the Sauce
- In a bowl, mix 20 g of yogurt and 20 g of mayonnaise until smooth.
- Add 3 finely chopped cloves of garlic and stir.
- Grate 1 cucumber and squeeze out any excess liquid. Add the cucumber to the yogurt-mayo mixture and mix well.
- Chop 1 bunch of dill and stir it into the sauce. Mix everything well to combine.
7. Serve
- Remove the potato and minced meat pie from the oven and allow it to cool for a few minutes before slicing.
- Serve each slice with a generous dollop of the yogurt, cucumber, and dill sauce on the side.
Nutritional Information (per serving, serves 6):
- Calories: 480 kcal
- Protein: 28 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fat: 25 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Sodium: 720 mg
Conclusion:
This Potato and Minced Meat Dinner is a comforting and flavorful dish, perfect for any evening meal. The crispy potatoes paired with savory meat, mushrooms, and melted cheese make it irresistible, while the fresh yogurt sauce adds a refreshing touch. Enjoy this hearty dish with family or friends!