Were there any foods that you didn’t like or refused to eat as a child? Any vegetables you didn’t care for or did you ever have a teenage stint at vegetarianism? As a child I pretty much ate and liked every kind of vegetable. I loved eggplants and cauliflower in particular, vegetables that many children refuse to eat.
One thing I had an issue with, and still do now, is the dark meat from the chicken and ground meat. I really detested drum sticks and for some reason, that is always the piece my mum gave me! My father preferred the white meat so he was automatically given most of it and the rest divided amongst the children. Since I was always stuck with the drumstick and I hated it, I just started declining the chicken altogether.
The whole dislike of the ground meat/mince is a texture thing. I just don’t like the texture of any thing that has ground meat. I was like this as a child, too and this one I didn’t grow out of. I particularly disliked a ground lamb and spinach curry my mother used to make. I found it quite awful and that dinner time seemed to me to last an eternity. It came to the point that it was being made every week, sometimes twice and I couldn’t tolerate it! Those were the evenings when the extra biscuits and crisps came out!
These days I’m not so picky about dark meat and can eat legs and thighs off the grill and roasted, I still have a hard time eating a curry with legs and thighs! As for the ground meat, that is very much still an aversion I can’t get around. I don’t like spaghetti with meat sauce; I always make meatballs. I don’t use ground beef for chilli; I use shredded beef. I make lasagne but rarely eat it. I make very few ground meat curries, they are very good and easy and my family likes them just fine, it’s just me.
The ground meat has to shaped before I can eat it like in kebabs, hamburgers and meatballs. It’s a strange thing for an adult I think but I must’ve had a bad experience as child for it to be such a recurring issue for me.
So apart from game, dark chicken, lamb, ground meat and sea food, I like most everything else 🙂
This Kheema Aloo curry (kheema is ground meat and aloo is potatoes in Urdu) is very good and even though I don’t cook it often, I do try a little bit when I cook it for the family. It’s easy to throw together, very versatile because you can use any ground meat; chicken, beef or lamb and you can add other vegetables.
Serve it with a side of basmati rice or some naan or pita bread. I prefer it with bread over rice.
Calories: 3023
Fat: 176g
- 2 Lbs/1kg ground meat, I used ground beef
- 2 medium onions, chopped
- ¼ cup oil, neutral flavoured, I use avocado oil
- 1 tablespoon garlic, minced
- 2 teaspoons ginger, minced
- 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
- ½ teaspoon red cayenne powder (more if desired)
- 1 tablespoon ground coriander
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 2 teaspoons garam masala spice mix (optional)
- 4 tablespoons dried fenugreek leaves (optional)
- 1 green chilli
- salt and pepper to taste
- 3 medium potatoes, medium dice, parboiled if desired
- handful of cilantro to garnish
- ½-1 cup water
- In a large skillet/fry pan, heat the oil on medium high heat and add the onions.
- Slowly brown the onions until golden and caramelised.
- Add the garlic and ginger and cook for a minute until fragrant.
- Add the turmeric, cumin, coriander and the garam masala if using, and cook a minute until fragrant.
- Add the ground meat and break up with the back of the spoon.
- Add the red cayenne powder and mix.
- Allow the meat to cook, stirring occasionally,
- When the meat is no longer pink, add the potatoes.
- I use parboiled potatoes because at my altitude, they take forever to cook in a curry.
- If you are concerned about the potatoes not cooking through, parboil them while your onions are browning.
- I also like to parboil them so that way I don't have to add too much water to the meat.
- If you are using parboiled potatoes, add the ½ cup water to the pan and cover and allow the potatoes to cook all the way through.
- Uncover when they are almost soft to allow the curry to dry out a bit by evaporating some of the water.
- Add the green chilli and fenugreek leaves at this time, crushing them in your palms as you add them.
- If your potatoes are uncooked before you add them, add 1 cup of water and cook for about 10 minutes and check to see if the potatoes are softened
- You may need to add more water if the potatoes don't cook all the way through.
- Check the consistency of the curry, if you prefer slightly loose curry then don't dry out all the water.
- If you prefer a drier curry, then keep cooking until most of the water is gone.
- Garnish with cilantro, check for salt and pepper.
So, your turn! Do you guys have any funny food aversions or something you just can’t stomach?
Hope your week is off to a great start. I’ve had sick children and husband last week and the ones who weren’t sick last week are sick this week.
It’s cold and wet this week but we’ve had the fire going and everything is fine when the fire is roaring, crackling and popping. Have a great week!
I didn’t have green chili, but the recipe turned out great anyway, and was so easy to make! Definitely will make it again. Thank you!
I am so glad Joyce! Thank you for trying it out and thank you so much for coming back to comment. I appreciate it!
I am so craving Kheema right now. This looks fantastic!
Asmita recently posted..Elf Cookies
Thanks Asmita 🙂
Hello Nanzeen, Thanks for bringing a little laughter to my day. I am still chuckling thing of you as a small child trying to hand off your leg of the chicken to one of your siblings. I think if my mom served me this fragrant Kheema, I would forget all about the fact they she had cauliflower or brussel sprouts or liver and onions planned for our next meal. These are some of the things that even to this day I am not real fond of but will try if someone else prepares them. Wishing you a super weekend. BAM
Bam’s Kitchen recently posted..Bammer’s Jammers
I did, always tried to hand off that drumstick. I would groan as I saw my mother dishing out the food and there was that dang drumstick headed my way. ugh.I too do not like liver and won’t eat it any which way! Cauliflower and Brussels sprouts I love! So do my kids so that helps! Have a super weekend Bam!
Nazneen-first of all I apologize for stopping by late to comment on this dish which I happen to love. The combination of kheema and roti, oh wow. Looks yummy.
I really like the lunch box you’ve used for the pictures, a great idea which I’ve been plotting for a while now..
Unlike you, I hated a lot, vegetable, fruits and anything healthy. My mom had such a tough time with me, poor her. She packed such good and yummy lunches and I would bring it back. What I loved the most was chicken biryani and pepper chicken. Can you believe it, now I eat everything and anything, thankfully the boys are not like the mini me.:)
Stay warm near the beautiful fireplace. xx
Ash-foodfashionparty recently posted..RAVA-NUTS LADDU – HAPPY DIWALI
Asha, no need to apologise! I knew you were busy with Diwali coming up. Its holiday season, gets busy. Besides, you need time to pick out outfits ;)Post some photos on FB, I want to see what you wear 🙂
The Glam Parisian is just like you about ground meat, a burger is the only, only exception. I remember as a child some mince (ground meat) had bits of hard grissly stuff or something like tiny bones. Now I’m not fussy about the mince only the quality. Mr Glam only really likes the white meat from the chicken and definitely can’t be bothered with bones, shelling prawns, any of those sticky finger things, however delicious. GG
Glamorous Glutton recently posted..Guinea Fowl Ballotine And Porcini Risotto
I think it is the gristly bits that put me off as a youngster and I just got frightened it would always be like that.I am border line on the burger, once again its to do with fatty meat and gristle. Mr Glam sounds like my brother in law!
You’re such a weird kid! Liking vegetables but hating chicken drumsticks! That said, as a kid, I liked my veggies too- which is pretty unusual. Maybe it’s an asian thing; our mums are just much better at making veggies taste great instead of leaving it to be a side salad sort of thing.
The aloo kheema curry looks wonderful Nazneen- love that it makes use of such simple common ingredients too so anyone can do it! Yeah that includes me;)
shuhan recently posted..The Plusixfive Cookbook– YES! OUT NOW!
Yep, I was weird, and still am!! I have all kinds of weird issues now 😉
Well, i still don’t like dark meat. And I don’t like food with bones in it. Oysters, not for me. Other than that, I’m pretty good, I think! But ground meat-do you eat burgers? This curry looks great. But everything you make looks great!
Abbe@This is How I Cook recently posted..Gingerbread Pear Upside Down Skillet Cake and Three Winners!
You’re like my bro in law! he doesn’t like meat with bones! I will eat burgers because they’re formed but I do so reluctantly! With burgers, it’s more to do with gristle and fat…eeeew!Thanks Abbe, we need to get together soon. I’m waiting for my brothers visit to pass and then maybe I’ll plan something.
Maybe you could substitute shredded meat for ground in your spaghetti with meat sauce. The meat adds so much flavor! Anyway, I’m sure I made my mom’s life miserable when I was a kid, although now I eat almost everything. And I’d definitely eat this! I’ve not made this dish before, but have had it several times in restaurants – it’s terrific! And your version looks especially nice. Thanks so much.
john@kitchenriffs recently posted..Winter Squash, Corn, and Bacon Chowder
hey, thats a good idea with the shredded meat for the spaghetti sauce. I don’t make it very often because my children prefer marinara to meat sauce so it saves me trouble any way! This is one of the easiest curries John, make it at home! Don’t need it order it outside.
I made my mother’s life miserable when it came to eating food…I was one hell of a picky eater. Now, looking back at those time, I can’t believe it was me! I eat practically everything now!
Kheema aloo sounds fabulous, with a parantha 😀
easyfoodsmith recently posted..GOAN PRAWN CURRY W/ LEMON RICE
I think the pickiest eaters in childhood are the most open minded as grown ups. I was the other way, I find myself to be much pickier now.I’m hoping it makes me a good cook and judge 😉
Wow, looks delicious, i guess eating this with crispy tortilla will be a heavently pairing!
we used to called it gulai pasir in indonesia, gulai for “curry” and pasir for “sand’ because the texture is kinda sandy
Thank you Dedy! Crispy tortilla would be quite good, but naan is excellent too! Thank you for your comment!
Not meat but I never liked leafy greens as a child, now I love and can even have them in smoothies. I love your ground meat potato dish which I usually make with peas or peppers and with chicken.
Balvinder recently posted..Spicy Mushroom Soup
I didn’t mind greens back then but oh my, sometimes I have a very hard time now!Its the texture thing again! Smoothies would be ok and my daughter makes me kale and spinach smoothies and I can tolerate those. I love the peas and peppers in one too! Those are probably my favourite and I will eat a little then.
Oh gosh – reading this made me smile. I had plenty of food aversions as a child. I was/am a picky eater but much, much improved. I hated celery and I’m still not a big fan though I like it cooked down in a soup. I still don’t like cilantro but I like scallions and parsley now. The list goes on and on! I do adore dark meat and ground meat is not a problem. I guess we all have our own quirks. : ) I would have no problems enjoying this delicious curry for you!
Monica recently posted..Halloween is coming (I think…)
It’s been really interesting reading everyones dislikes! Things I never though they wouldn’t like! I’m glad I asked the question. I wonder what would happen if I invited everyone for dinner one day….we’d all have to bring our own food :)!!
It’s amazing how fussy we can be as children and then end up eating all the things we detested as adults. Except for you and minced meat! One of my sisters always hated bananas and as we were leaving the house to walk to school she would check her lunch box and if a banana was in there she’d throw it away. And she still doesn’t eat bananas! Your potato curry looks really yummy. Our weather has turned cold so a dinner like this would be very warming xx
Hotly Spiced recently posted..Thai Red Curry Pork with Pineapple and Ginger
My #2 daughter heated bananas and tomatoes! Once my brother was visiting and my nephews and they all offered her money to eat a banana. So each person was offering $10 and it was totaling around 30-40 dollars. Yeah, it took her 30 minutes but she ate a banana!
I love keema aloo especially my Mum’s dish. Looking at this I am missing it all the more. I cook with mince all the time but less of curries and more of pies and stuffings…that is because my kids are not very tolerant to spices yet. Not that they don’t like it…they do, but are unable to digest them. I hope that changes soon. Your’s look mouthwatering delicious Nazneen!
As a child I ate everything…actually liked everything and the amazing thing is that both my boys do too. People refuse to believe me but it is true..I am fortunate to have not encountered food battles at home.
I LOVE these pictures!
Sugar et al recently posted..Ricotta and Pesto Stuffed Tomatoes
I think kids will eat everything, and we as parents fuss too much. Spices I understand and that takes some time to tolerate, but if you cook and tell them thats what for dinner, they eat it. I never took a no from my children and they do not fuss over food at all. In fact, they are more adventurous than me.
Good that we have flood insurance. I just flooded my space with saliva. This looks divine, and I wish I lived next door so that I could sneak in and steal the entire container and not share even a spoon. OK, so maybe when you make it with mutton keema, I will, lol!! Yummm!!
Minnie@thelady8home recently posted..Tamagoyaki – Japanese omelet
You are funny Minnie! Oh, you wouldn’t have to steal, I would gladly bring some over to you if you lived next door xx
Nazneen….as a child, I was not exposed to fresh veggies. (My parents were of the generation where most all veggies came out of a can!) But I always loved dark meat chicken. This kheema aloo looks spectacular! I love potato and meat dishes and I can just imagine how heavenly all of your beautiful spices made this dish. Stunning photography as always! : )
Anne@FromMySweetHeart recently posted..Cinnamon Applesauce Tart
Thank you Anne. I have heard about the generation of canned food! I hope you are enjoying plenty of fresh vegetables now!!
So comforting! Especially with the current cold and wet weather. Stay warm!
Kiran @ KiranTarun.com recently posted..Pumpkin Beer Doughnuts
Thanks Kiran, yes its nice to have these warming spices during these chilly nights.
Nazneen – this sounds really wonderful: the perfect comfort food for these progressively chilly nights. The spices combined with the potatoes is a great combination, and I don’t mind the ground meat. hanks fro sharing this, even if it isn’t your favorite!
David recently posted..Curry in a Hurry
Thanks David! I love the flavors of this dish, I just don’t like the texture!! I try and clump the meat so it’s not too separated!
Wow…This is such a comforting dish! It looks amazing, Nazneen! I think I will have to move to Colorado. 🙂
Denise Browning@From Brazil To You recently posted..Egg Stuffed Meatloaf (Bolo de Carne Alemão)…
Thanks Denise!
Your photos of this dish are beautiful Nazneen. I’m such a curry fan that I must give this a try soon. Pinned. I’m lucky that I grew up loving all vegetables, except for the stewed tomatoes at the school lunches.
Lea Ann (Cooking On The Ranch) recently posted..Easy Pumpkin Spice Cake Mix Cookies
Thank You Lea Ann! I don’t like chunks of tomatoes in my food! This recipe is very easy, I hope you try it!
I’m not a fan of pork (unless it’s super finely sliced or minced!), and find offal quite difficult, but that’s it. I’ll eat any veg that’s put in front of me, and any meat or seafood. How beautiful that you have an open fire! I used to have one in my bedroom and absolutely adored it, especially the popping noises!
Jas@AbsolutelyJas recently posted..Faraway Lands and Perfect Moments
I haven’t even attempted to try offal!! I don’t like mince, how do you think I’ll handle offal :)? I think your very adventurous, I see all your posts with unique dishes, I’d never have the nerve to try half those things!
You must have guessed I have mince in the fridge! The one thing I can’t eat is soggy bread, so, no bread and butter puddings or summer berry puddings for me.
saucy gander recently posted..Almost Dorie: lemon-glazed berry almond Danish, and a quick laminated dough
Hahaha! Soggy bread? So you don’t like bread puddings? I love bread pudding! Its funny how different things affect us all.
wow flavour explosion!! Love it! There wasn’t much I wouldn’t eat as a child. I was probably a dream for my mum!
Lisa the Gourmet Wog recently posted..Crunchie Baked Kale Falafels.
Thanks Lisa! Do you eat everything now?
Oh, Nazneen! You don’t like spaghetti with meat sauce? It’s like a knife to my heart! I do understand, however, and lucky for me heart surgery is as advanced as it is today. 🙂
Everyone has foods they do not like and very often there’s little rhyme nor reason for the aversion. I cannot tell you how many rhubarb pies, jams, and whatevers I’ve tried and hated. Fresh cilantro/coriander? No way! I’m glad you’re able to at least sample a bit of this curry and share the recipe with us. It sounds delicious and it really is easy to prepare. A trait I’ve grown to appreciate more and more. 🙂
ChgoJohn recently posted..Today’s Jam is a Real Plum, Damson Plum with Cardamom
Let me get that knife out of your heart, John! I do make spaghetti sauce with meat and try and leave the pieces as chunky as possible! But, my children prefer marinara so I don’t even bother with the meat sauce. I remember your aversion to rhubarb, but I didn’t know you didn’t like cilantro!! Now, it’s a knife to my heart 🙂 But I understand about cilantro, it’s an acquired taste and many people don’t like it. But yes, this is a very easy curry to make and I know what you mean about quick and easy.
lovelyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy
Thank you!
Kheema is one of my all time favourite Indian foods. My mother in law makes hers with red and green peppers in it too, cooked down till they are super soft. To me, this is comfort food. My husband used to make kheema sandwiches when his mom made it. It brings back happy memories for me.
Daaahling, you must get over this meat phobia LOL, you’ve given birth for goodness sake, you can eat ground meat
*kisses* H
P.s. foods im weird about: passion fruit (frog spawn in texture) and rhubarb (red celery in deserts? yuck!)
Heavenly recently posted..Waiting for Frida