Easy Meals - Spicy Stir-Fry

Why wait in a take-away queue for a mediocre meal when you could be sitting down to a steaming-hot plate of spicy stir-fry  in about the same time as you'd stand impatiently shuffling your feet and huffing at a plastic wall clock?

This meal is easy to make, fast, economical and healthy!

Ingredients

• lean mince meat (lamb, beef or turkey) 
• onion or leek
• red pepper
• yellow, orange or green pepper (for contrasting colour)
• garlic
• mushrooms (optional)
• turmeric
• chili powder (to taste)
• mixed spice (to taste)
• olive oil

Utensils

• frying pan or wok
• large pan
• small pan
• wooden spoons
• vegetable knife
• chopping board

Wash the rice and add it to the large pan.  Add water and a tiny pinch of salt and bring this to the boil.  Once boiling, reduce heat to simmer.

Meanwhile, add a little olive oil (or whichever oil you prefer) to the frying pan or wok, bring this to heat and brown the mince.  Make sure the meat is thoroughly sealed then add the copped vegetables.  When these are about half-cooked add the garlic and spices - or any herbs you wish to include.

Some people like mushrooms, others do not.  If everyone likes them,  you might opt to cook them with the rest of the vegetables.  Alternatively, cook them in a separate small saucepan and add as a garnish  to the plate.

Instead of using rice, try various types of pasta.

Turn this recipe into Rapid Shepherd's Pie by making mashed potatoes instead of rice or pasta.  Once thoroughly cooked, put the stir-fry into a pre-warmed large dish then top this with the mashed potato.  Slide it under a hot grill for a few minutes to brown the surface - then serve and enjoy!