Beef and liver chilli con carne with mixed beans

We include offal once a week in our menus as it is a good source of nutrition – including key vitamins contributing to children’s growth and well-being.

Ingredients

1 tbsp olive oil

450g lean minced beef

225g diced chicken livers

1 large white onion

1 red pepper, deseeded and diced

100g cup mushrooms, sliced

2 garlic cloves, peeled and crushed

1 red chili, finely chopped (you can replace the chili pepper with 1tsp mild chilli powder should you prefer a milder chili)

½tsp ground mixed spice

1tsp ground cumin

1 x 400g tin mixed beans, drained and rinsed

1 x 400g tin chopped tomatoes

Method

Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan and add the minced beef and chicken livers. Once the meat is browned, add the onion, pepper, mushrooms and garlic. Cook on a medium heat for 5 minutes until softened slightly.

Stir in the chili, cinnamon and cumin and cook for a further couple of minutes to release the flavour of the spices.

Add the mixed beans and chopped tomatoes and stir to coat the vegetables thoroughly, then simmer gently for 30-35 minutes. Add a little water if it becomes too thick and add any extra seasoning if necessary.

Serve with wholegrain rice and a freshly prepared side salad.

MORE INFORMATION

For more on how much liver to include in your diet, see www.nhs.uk/Livewell/Goodfood/Pages/meat.aspx

‘How to make the most of…meat’ is at www.nurseryworld.co.uk/nursery-world/feature/1093797/unique-child-nutrition-meat