Curried Beef Grilled Cheese Sandwich

Ingredients

• 1 tsp sugar (marinade (optional))
• 1/2 tsp salt (marinade (optional))
• 1 lb beef roast / sirloin / chuck or LEAN ground beef
• 1/2 medium onion (yellow or red, finely chopped)
• 1 tbsp Sri Lankan roasted curry powder
• 1 tsp cracked black pepper
• 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper (or less for a less spicy sandwich)
• 4 tbsp tomato sauce / ketchup
• 2 tsp crushed chili flakes (or less for a less spicy sandwich)
• Salt to taste
• 226 g pepper jack cheese (shredded)
• 226 g fresh mozzarella cheese (shredded)
• 12 slices bread
• Butter

Instructions

1. 1

   --- Curried Beef Filling ---

2. 2

   If you're using a beef cut, cut the beef into chunks and transfer into a food processor. Process for a few seconds to chop the beef into smaller pieces. Do not completely mince/grind the beef since it should only be chopped into smaller pieces. Optional - mix the beef with 1 tsp of sugar and ½ tsp of salt and let it marinate for about an hour, or overnight.

3. 3

   Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Add 2 tbsp of vegetable oil and heat the oil. When the oil is hot, add the chopped onion and roasted curry powder. Stir-fry for a couple of minutes until the onion softens.

4. 4

   Add the chopped or ground beef into the pan along with 1 tsp sugar and ½ tsp salt (if you didn't marinate the beef previously).

5. 5

   Add the black pepper, cayenne pepper and tomato sauce. Cook until the meat is cooked through and starts to caramelize. There shouldn't be too much oil in the mix at this point. This can take between 15 - 20 mins, depending on the heat and size of the skillet.

6. 6

   When the beef is cooked, add the crushed chili flakes and more salt to taste. Let the curry cool down.

7. 7

   Place the two types of cheese in a bowl and add the cooked and cooled down beef curry mix. Mix to combine. Taste and add a little salt if needed.

8. 8

   --- Curried Beef Grilled Cheese Sandwich ---

9. 9

   Butter 1 side of each the slices. Place the buttered side down on a heated non stick pan / griddle / cast iron pan. Heat for 2 - 3 minutes over medium to medium-high heat, until the surface of the bread turns a light golden brown in color.

10. 10

    Add a generous amount of the curried beef-cheese mix on one of the slices of bread (on the toasted side), and then top with another slice of bread (toasted side facing the filling).

11. 11

    Butter the outsides of the sandwich, and grill the sandwich over medium-high heat for 3 - 4 minutes per side, until the the bread is a deep golden brown on both sides, and the cheese is melted inside. Repeat with all the bread slices/sandwiches. Serve.