Thai-Style Ground Beef

A very easy and quick dinner. The Husband calls this Thai Sloppy Joes, and he is right, the meat does taste a bit like sloppy joes. Thus, the leftovers can be served in a bun or, even better, in a tortilla.

From Cooking Light

• Cooking spray
• 1 cup thinly sliced leek
• 1 teaspoon bottled minced garlic
• 1 pound lean ground sirloin
• 1 teaspoon red curry paste (such as Thai Kitchen)
• 1 cup tomato sauce
• 1/2 cup light coconut milk
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon grated lime rind
• 1 1/2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
• 1 tablespoon Asian fish sauce
• 3 cups hot cooked short-grain rice
• Iceberg lettuce wedges (optional)
• Chopped cilantro (optional)
• Chopped green onions (optional)

1. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Coat pan with cooking spray. Add leek; sauté 5 minutes. Add garlic; sauté 1 minute. Add beef; cook 7 minutes or until lightly browned, stirring to crumble.

2. Stir in curry paste and tomato sauce; cook until half of liquid evaporates (about 2 minutes).

3. Add milk, brown sugar, lime rind, lime juice and fish sauce; cook 2 minutes or until slightly thickened.

4. Serve with the rice and lettuce wedges, if desired. Garnish with cilantro and green onions, if desired.

Yield: 4 servings