Mayai Mani

This is a comfort food recipe I was introduced to as a young child from my dad’s side of the family (East African ). I instantly fell in love with it and have been enjoying it ever since. It’s a beef and egg casserole with basic ingredients and baked in the oven. You can enjoy this meal with parathas, chapati, or naan.

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef
• 3-4 tbsp oil
• 1 heapting tbsp garlic paste
• 1 heaping tbsp ginger paste
• 1 tsp green chili paste
• 1 small onion diced
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1 tsp coriander powder
• 1 tsp cumin powder
• 1 tsp red chili powder
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 med tomato diced
• 4-5 tbsp freshly chopped cilantro
• 4 heaping tbsp tomato paste
• 2 tbsp water
• 1 tsp garam masala
• 1 egg beaten
• 4 whole eggs

Method

1. Preheat oven to 350F.
2. Heat oil in a large pan. Once hot, add onion and sauté until slightly golden and translucent.
3. Add ground beef, keep breaking up bigger pieces and sauté until completely cooked.
4. Add ginger, garlic, green chili pastes and mix well. Cook until raw garlic smell disappears.
5. Add in powdered spices and salt. Mix well. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring often.
6. Add chopped tomato and mix again. Turn down heat to med low covered and let mixture cook for 10 minutes.
7. Now add in tomato paste and mix well. Add in 2 tbsp water and turn down heat to low, cover with lid and let it simmer for 10 minutes. Check often and stir. All the water should be evaporated.
8. In the meantime, in an 8×8 square oven safe dish, pour half of the beaten egg into the dish.
9. Dish out the meat mixture and spread it into the baking dish in an even layer.
10. Now, slowly crack the remaining whole eggs into the baking dish on top of the meat mixture. Keep the eggs apart from one another in the dish.
11. Pour the remaining half of the beaten egg and spread throughout the baking dish.
12. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until eggs are fully cooked.
13. Sprinkle chopped cilantro and a pinch of red chili powder or paprika over each egg yolk. Enjoy!!

*** I also like to broil mine at the end for 3-4 seconds for a crispier texture on top ***