Ground Beef With Spinach And Fresh Mint - cooking recipe

Ingredients

GREEN PASTE
10 ounces fresh spinach, stemmed and washed
1/2 cup fresh cilantro stem
1/4 cup fresh mint leaves
REMAINING INGREDIENTS
1/4 cup canola oil
1 cinnamon stick (1-inch piece)
8 green cardamom pods
6 whole cloves
4 garlic cloves, finely minced
2 inches piece fresh ginger (peeled and grated)
1 large onion, quartered, then sliced 1/2-inch thick
1 fresh hot green chili pepper, cut crosswise into 1/2-inch rounds
1 teaspoon salt (to taste)
1 1/2 lbs lean ground beef
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 cup plain yogurt, whisked until smooth
1/2 teaspoon garam masala

Preparation

For the green paste, bring 2 inches of water to a boil in a large saucepan over high heat. Add the spinach and stir. Cover and steam, stirring every now and then, until wilted, about 5 minutes. Puree in a blender (with any remaining water) along with the cilantro and mint leaves. Set aside.
Heat the oil with the cinnamon stick, cardamom, and cloves in a large, heavy-bottomed casserole over medium-high heat and cook, stirring, until the cinnamon unfurls, about 2 minutes.
Add the garlic and ginger and cook stirring, 1 minute. Add the onion, green chile, and salt and cook, stirring, until the onion begins to brown around the edges, 8-10 minutes.
Stir in the beef and black pepper and cook, stirring, 5 minutes. Add the yogurt 2 tablespoons at a time and stir well after each addition. Simmer gently, stirring every now and then, for 5 minutes. Add the green paste, bring to a boil, reduce the heat and simmer 5 more minutes.
Stir in the garam masala and cook 1 more minute. Taste for salt, Serve hot.