I loved all the cooking convos that resulted from my Calamansi Muffin post, so I thought I’d do another recipe today. This one’s from Potluck (the Hidalgo family cookbook).

The original Macanese Minchi involves ground pork as well as ground beef, plus DEEP FRIED potatoes mixed in.. but please.. I’m on a diet… so let’s not even go there. Minchi without the pork and potatoes (let’s call it Minchi Light) is SO EASY to make, and if you use only 4 tbsp. of olive oil, a 100-gram (3.5 oz.) serving is only 236 calories.

Here’s what you’ll need:

Now listen up… This is a super simple dish but there are a couple of things you can do to transform it from “Meh..” to Marvelous:

1. Use good beef.

If you care about hidden fat content, don’t get pre-ground beef. Grab a slab of quality, unfatty sirloin, and ask the butcher to grind it for you.

2. Use EXTRA VIRGIN olive oil.

Prep should take about 3-5 minutes…

(One big onion should be enough, but feel free to use more.)

…And then you’re ready to cook!

When it’s done, kill the flame and let it sit (covered) for 5 minutes or so. You can add some more olive oil (and/or soy sauce) if you want to. 

And that’s it!

Fast, simple and YUMMEH. It’s idiot-proof, I tell you.

Minchi is usually eaten with illegal amounts of rice and maybe a few token vegetables (or fried eggs) — but since it looks rather boring, you may want to serve it in something pretty. Scoop out the insides of a few tomatoes or roasted peppers and stuff the Minchi in, or something like that. Up to you. Be creative.

These days though, since I’m trying to be good about the whole “rice is evil” thing, I mostly just have it with vegetables or use it in other, slightly more complicated recipes (like stuffed mushrooms and my fabulous frittatas). I’ll get to those eventually. In the meantime - ENJOY!

Notes for diet nerds:  

• If you want a lower sodium version, use 4 Tbsp Less Sodium Kikkoman + 2 Tbsp. Bragg Liquid Aminos instead of the 6 Tbsp regular Kikkoman.
• You can also use Splenda Brown Sugar Blend (or coco sugar) instead of regular sugar… if you really want to.
• DON’T compromise on the olive oil. That’s what makes it yummy. Besides, olive oil is good for you.