Mindy Kaling And Hawa Hassan Make Spicy Somali Pasta

pasta

🥗Healthier: whole wheat pasta

💰Cheaper: spaghetti

Whole wheat pasta adds fiber and nutrients.

chicken

🥗Healthier: tofu

💰Cheaper: canned beans

Tofu is a plant-based protein alternative.

vegetable oil

🥗Healthier: olive oil

💰Cheaper: canola oil

Olive oil is healthier with good fats.

red chili peppers

🥗Healthier: jalapeños

💰Cheaper: cayenne pepper

Jalapeños provide heat with less cost.

Crush the spices (cinnamon, cumin, coriander, black peppercorn, cardamom, whole cloves, turmeric) in a heavy pot for about two minutes over medium heat.

Transfer the crushed spices to a spice grinder and grind until super fine.

Sift the ground spices to ensure they are fine.

Heat 3 tablespoons of olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.

Add minced garlic, diced bell pepper, and chopped red onion all at once; stir to combine.

Cook the vegetables until softened, about 8 minutes.

Add the beef to the softened vegetables and break it up; season with 1 teaspoon of salt.

Add 3 tablespoons of the ground spice mixture (hawaj) to the beef and mix well.

Cook the beef until browned on all sides, about 15 minutes.

Stir in tomato paste and canned tomatoes with their juices; mix to combine.

Add a bit of water to the can to get the remaining tomato juice out and add that to the pot.

Increase the heat to high and bring the mixture to a boil.

Cover the pot and let it simmer for about 30 minutes.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level: