Cajun Pork on Mint Bulgur with Bell Pepper

Punchy and smoky with a spicy kick, Cajun spice mix gives any dish a tasty boost. Made with herbs and spices common in Cajun cuisine, this spice mix contains ingredients such as chilli powder, ground cumin, oregano and thyme, making it the perfect match for meat and seafood dishes, as well as pasta sauces and stews.

Prep: 40 mins
Cook: 35 mins
Servings: 4

Ingredients

2 servings 3 servings 4 servings
  • 1 bell pepper
  • 3 garlic cloves
  • 20 gr chicken stock paste
  • 120 gr bulgur wheat
  • 240 gr british pork mince
  • 30 gr tomato puree
  • 1 sachet cajun spice mix
  • 25 gr sun-dried tomato paste
  • 1 bunch mint
  • 240 ml water for the bulgur
  • 1 tbsp tomato ketchup
  • 100 ml water for the sauce

Instructions

  1. Halve the bell pepper and discard the core and seeds. Chop into 1cm chunks. Peel and grate the garlic (or use a garlic press).
    Heat a large frying pan on high heat (no oil).
    Once hot, add the pepper chunks and cook until charred, 5-6 mins. Adjust the heat if necessary. Stir only twice during this time - you want the pepper to pick up some nice colour.
  2. Meanwhile, heat a drizzle of oil in a medium saucepan on medium-high heat.
    Once hot, add half the garlic and cook for 1 min. Add the water for the bulgur (see pantry for amount), half the chicken stock paste and bring to the boil.
    Stir in the bulgur, bring back up to the boil and simmer for 1 min. Pop a lid on the pan and remove from the heat. Leave to the side for 12-15 mins or until ready to serve.
  3. Add the pork mince to the charred pepper. Fry until the mince has browned, 5-6 mins. IMPORTANT: Wash your hands and equipment after handling raw mince.
    Use a spoon to break it up as it cooks, then drain and discard any excess fat. IMPORTANT: The mince is cooked when no longer pink in the middle.
  4. Add the remaining garlic, tomato puree and Cajun spice mix to the pork (add less Cajun spice mix if you'd prefer things milder). Stir-fry for 30 secs.
    Next, stir the remaining chicken stock paste, sun-dried tomato paste, tomato ketchup and water for the sauce (see pantry for both amounts) into the pork.
    Bring to the boil, then reduce the heat slightly and simmer until the sauce has thickened, 2-3 mins.
  5. Meanwhile, pick the mint leaves from their stalks and roughly chop (discard the stalks).
    Stir half of the mint through the cooked bulgur.
    Taste the pork and season with salt and pepper if needed. Add a splash of water if needed.
  6. Share the mint bulgur between your bowls and top with the Cajun pork.
    Finish with a scattering of the remaining mint.
    Enjoy!