Kheema Paav

Aka "Indian sloppy joes", a well spiced ground beef curry that exists to be served on buns. In my opinion, there's no point in making sloppy joes when kheema paav is on the menu.

Ingredients

• canola oil
• 1 tsp cumin seeds
• ~1 C finely chopped red onion
• 2 large cloves garlic, finely chopped
• 2 slices of fresh ginger, finely chopped, or 2 tbsp ginger paste
• 2 fresh green thai, cayenne, or serrano chilis, stems removed, finely chopped (do not remove the seeds)
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 tsp Bin bhuna hua garam masala
• 1 tsp coarse salt
• ½ lb lean ground beef
• 2 tbsp finely chopped fresh cilantro
• buns -- the book calls for fairly small slider-type buns, but you can make it with full size burger buns as well
• ½ C finely chopped scallions for garnish

Procedure

1. Heat the oil over medium heat. Add the cumin seeds and let them sizzle until they turn reddish-brown and fragrant, 10-15 seconds. Immediately add the onion, garlic, ginger, and chilis. Stir-fry until the onion starts to brown around the edges, ~5 minutes.
2. Add the tomato paste, garam masala, and salt. Reduce heat to medium low and simmer, partially covered, stirring occasionally, until the sauce develops an oily sheen, ~5 minutes.
3. Add the ground beef, breaking it up if needed. Cook, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until the meat is browning and partly cooked, 5-10 minutes.
4. Stir in 128mL water and continue simmering, covered, stirring occasionally, until the flavours have mingled and the beef is cooked through, ~8 minutes.
5. Brush the buns with butter or ghee and toast them on a griddle or in a toaster oven.
6. Fill buns with meat. Sprinkle with scallions. Insert into face.