GROUND-MINCED MEAT BASKET STUFFED WITH SPINACH OR POTATO

                     GROUND /MINCED
                        MEAT BASKET  
                        STUFFED WITH
                   SPINACH OR POTATO






Today recipe is a main dish which easy to make but very presentable. When ever I serve this dish to my guests I always get complements.
 Also you can prepare it a day ahead. Cook mince meat  baskets and prepare filling , baked it again just before serving.
 This is from Ottoman  cuisine. Original  name of  is  Hasan Pasa Kofte (General Hasan's Kofte) which is made with potato puree.  I changed the recipe. I prefer spinach one. I am going to give you both recipes. You can cook which one is more tasty for you. Serve with  rice and green salad.



INGREDIENTS:
500g-1 lb minced-ground meat
1 medium onion
1/2 cup bread crumbs
1 tablespoon parsley, chopped
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon dry thyme

FILLING:
WITH SPINACH                                        
500g,1 lb, spinach, stalks removed and chopped
1 medium onion
1 Tablespoon vegetable oil                              
2 cloves garlic, crash
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 tablespoon plain flour
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup Cheddar cheese, grated

 FILLING WITH POTATO
500g potatoes
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup grated Cheddar cheese

SAUCE
2 tablespoons tomato puree
1 cup hot water

PREPARATION
Process mince meat, onion, bread crumbs, parsley, thyme, cumin, salt AND pepper in a food processor. Leave this mixture in frig half an hour. Take two heaped tablespoon of mixture, form into thin patty. Turn down a tea cup or glass, wet with water. Cover with mixture. Shape into basket with wet hands. Place in a greased ovenproof dish. Continue to make baskets with remaining mixture. Cook in preheat oven  180C-350F 15 minutes.
SPINACH FILLING:
Meanwhile put 1 tablespoon vegetable oil in a pan. Add chopped onion and garlic stir 3 min. Add spinach. Let it cook until all water is evaporated. Heat 2 tablespoons  vegetable oil in another pan add 1 tablespoon flour, stir 2 minutes. remove from heat, stir in milk, continue to stir until smooth. Return to heat, stir until mixture boils and thickens.
Add spinach and cheese (keep 1 tablespoon cheese to decorate top) and seasoning.
POTATO FILLING:
Cut potatoes in slices. Put potatoes in a deep pan cover with water and boil  until tender and all water evaporated. Mash potatoes, add cheese( keep 1 tablespoon cheese) and seasoning.
Fill  meat baskets with spinach or potatoes mixture. Mix tomato puree with hot water. Pour mixture around the baskets. But do not cover top. Sprinkle with cheese. Bake at 180C-375F , for 20-30 minutes .