North Indian Bison Keema

A warmly spiced North Indian bison keema braised with sweet summer peppers and tomatoes, served over basmati rice for a practical one-skillet dinner.

Ingredients

  • Simple Truth® 90/10 Natural Ground Bison Pack 1 LB
    1 pound $11.99
  • Kroger® Tri-Color Bell Peppers
    10 ounces $3.99
  • Fresh On the Vine Red Tomatoes by the Bunch
    8 ounces $2.49
  • Private Selection® Walla Walla Sweet Onions
    4 ounces $3.99
  • Kroger® Basmati Rice
    1/2 cup $3.79
  • Organic Ginger Root
    1 tablespoon grated $3.99
  • Kroger® Whole Garlic Bulbs
    2 cloves $2.99
  • Organic Cilantro
    1/4 cup chopped $1.69
  • Water
    1 cup
  • Neutral cooking oil
    1 tablespoon
  • Tomato paste
    1 tablespoon
  • Garam masala
    1 1/2 teaspoons
  • Ground cumin
    1 teaspoon
  • Ground coriander
    1 teaspoon
  • Ground turmeric
    1/4 teaspoon
  • Cayenne pepper
    1/8 teaspoon
  • Kosher salt
    1 teaspoon
  • Ground black pepper
    1/4 teaspoon

Instructions

  1. Rinse 1/2 cup basmati rice. Combine the 1/2 cup basmati rice with 3/4 cup water and 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt in a small saucepan; bring to a boil, cover, reduce the heat to low, and cook for 15 minutes, then remove from the heat and rest, covered, for 5 minutes.
  2. Dice 4 ounces Walla Walla sweet onion and slice 10 ounces tri-color bell peppers. Heat 2 teaspoons neutral cooking oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat; cook the 4 ounces diced onion and 10 ounces sliced bell peppers for 6 minutes, then transfer the 14-ounce cooked vegetable mixture to a plate.
  3. Add 1 teaspoon neutral cooking oil and 1 pound ground bison to the skillet. Season the 1 pound ground bison with 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt and cook for 5 minutes, breaking it into small crumbles.
  4. Grate 1 tablespoon ginger and mince 2 garlic cloves. Stir the 1 tablespoon ginger, 2 minced garlic cloves, 1 tablespoon tomato paste, 1 1/2 teaspoons garam masala, 1 teaspoon ground cumin, 1 teaspoon ground coriander, 1/4 teaspoon ground turmeric, and 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper into the browned bison; cook for 1 minute.
  5. Chop 8 ounces tomatoes. Add the 8 ounces chopped tomatoes, 1/4 cup water, 14 ounces cooked vegetable mixture, 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt, and 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper to the skillet; partially cover and simmer for 10 minutes, until saucy and the bison reaches 160°F.
  6. Chop 1/4 cup cilantro and fold 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro into the braise; remove the skillet from the heat and rest for 3 minutes.
  7. Fluff the cooked rice, divide it between two shallow bowls, spoon over the bison keema, and finish both plates with 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro.

Total time: 45 minutes

Estimated cost: $17–$20

Health notes: About 710 calories per serving, with roughly 48 grams protein, 52 grams carbohydrates, and 26 grams fat.

Drink pairing: The 2022 Circumference Cabernet Sauvignon complements the bison and toasted spices; keep the cayenne restrained so the wine stays smooth.