Ester's tasty 'Pizza' minced meat recipe

Warm up over winter with this pizza-inspired minced beef recipe from Ester's kitchen and a robust bottle of Chianti.

Ingredients for 6 people

• 1.2 kg of minced beef of the highest quality

• 400-450g cow's milk mozzarella

• capers in vinegar

• a small clove of garlic

• a litre of tomato puree of excellent quality

• fresh basil leaves

• fine salt

• pepper

• oregano

• extra virgin olive oil

Method

Preparation time: 20 mins

Cooking time: 30 mins

• Preheat the oven to 200 degrees.

• Cut the mozzarella into cubes.

• Finely chop two tablespoons of drained capers and a peeled clove of garlic.

• Put the minced beef in a non-stick or ceramic pan. Add fine salt and freshly ground pepper, the cubed mozzarella (leaving aside a handful for the final garnish) and the oregano. Mix everything with your hands to evenly distribute the seasonings.

• When you are satisfied with the result, spread into the pan, working it softly with your fingertips without crushing it.

• Pour the tomato puree evenly over the entire surface of the meat, diluting the bottom of the bottle with a little water.

• Add the remaining mozzarella to the surface as garnish.

• Season with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and place in the centre of the oven at 200 degrees for about 30-40 minutes.

• When the surface has darkened slightly, remove from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes.

• Divide into rectangles then serve, sprinkling with fresh basil leaves to garnish.

To serve

Accompany with a green salad or a mixture of boiled and chopped herbs (spinach, chard, turnips) sautéd for a few minutes in a pan with oil, garlic, salt and to finish a little chilli. To drink, this dish goes well with a

robust red wine or a bitter beer with double malt, quite cold. Buon appetito!