Public Servant Lifestyle

This barbequed beef and bean main course is a taste of the Western frontier - wherever you are. A tasty filling dish that ripples with great flavours and fantastic aromas.

You will need: Cooked beef (1 pound roast beef or pot roast, from the deli)
Baked beans (1-pound can) white or red kidney beans (1 pound can)
Barbecue sauce (1/2 cup)
Cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese (8 ounce package or 4 ounce chunk). If you're feeling particularly lazy - or in a hurry - these can be bought pre-grated.
Coleslaw (1 1/2 pounds, from the deli)
Tortilla chips (you'll need around a nine ounce bag for this recipe)
Olive oil
Onion
Garlic
Chili powder (optional)
Cumin (optional)
Hot pepper sauce (try Tabasco or Frank’s), or a good tomato/chilli sauce (try Bick's Lava Chilli - a must for every fridge).

The Method

Firstly, cut the pound of sliced roast beef into strips about 1.5 inches long and 1/2 inch wide. Chop enough of the onion to measure 1/2 cup. Mince the garlic clove. In a large skillet, heat a tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and garlic and cook, stirring, until the onion softens and starts to brown. Take care not to burn the garlic.

Add a tablespoon of chilli powder and a teaspoon of cumin, if you wish to use it, and stir to blend. Cook for 30 seconds, until fragrant. Add the 1/2 cup bottled barbecue sauce plus 1/2 cup of water and combine well. Stir in the can of baked beans (do not drain). Drain the can of white or red kidney beans and add, combing everything well. Add the beef, stir to combine, and cook briefly until the beans and beef are heated through, for about 3 to 5 minutes.

Add the hot pepper sauce to taste, if desired. Reserve 1/4 cup of grated cheese and sprinkle the remaining 3/4 cup of cheese over the mixture. Stir until the cheese is melted and combined. Put the tortilla chips in a large serving bowl and the coleslaw in another and put both bowls on the table.

Transfer the barbeque beef and beans to a serving bowl and sprinkle with the reserved 1/4 cup of cheese. Serve in bowls, with the tortilla chips and coleslaw. As an alternative the mix can be served with taco shells, or fajita-style, in wraps. Enjoy!

More information available in Main Courses