Beef al Fresco

This is a dish I threw together the other night.  It turned out really great and made plenty for left overs that I ate off of for a full day and a half.  It could probably serve 4 people nicely if you are cooking for more than yourself or one other person and aren't too concerned with left overs.

Ingredients:

1 lb Lean Ground Beef (preferably grass fed beef)
1/2 lb Okra cut into halves or thirds...you want large pieces, not slices
1  Large Onion (any variety you like; quartered and sliced)
1 Green Bell Pepper cored and sliced into 1/2 inch pieces
6 Cloves of Garlic (minced)
1 Head of Cauliflower
1 Small Jar Black Olives (sliced or whole and pitted...up to you; just be sure to drain them)
1 Jar Quality Pasta Sauce (Only with whole ingredients listed....SUGAR better not be on that list!)
6 TBS Coconut Oil divided into 4T and 2T
Cracked Black Pepper (to taste)
1/4 tsp Ground Cloves

Method:

Chop all veggies.  Place okra and bell pepper in a bowl and set aside. Set aside 1/2 the garlic.

Run the cauliflower through the food processor (or blender if you don't have a food processor) and pulse until the consistency resembles couscous and set aside.  You may find it easier to do this in small batches. As you finish each batch place in a large bowl until you are ready to cook it.

 ****You can cook this (the cauliflower) ahead of time as well and then just reheat it, either in the microwave if you make it way in advance and it has spent some time in the fridge, or if you made it just before the rest of the dish, it will warm back up when topped. 


READY TO START COOKING!

In a large saute pan over medium-hi heat, place the coconut oil.

Add 1/2 of the garlic and the onion, and season with black pepper.  Cook for about 3 minutes or until the onion is slightly translucent.

Just use half!  Put the other half aside!

Add in okra and bell peppers and incorporate.  Allow flavors to meld for about 1 minute.

Add the ground beef and ground cloves.  This is an unusual spice to add but flavors meat wonderfully.

Allow meat to cook until it is just about done, about 4 minutes.

WHILE THE MEAT IS COOKING.......

In a skillet or frying pan on Medium, place 2 TBS coconut oil, the rest of the garlic, and your cauliflower.  Cook until just starting to brown, about 4 minutes.  Don't burn it, you just want it to be a little soft.  When it is done, just set it aside. 

CAULIFLOWER!!!!

BACK TO THE SAUTE PAN.......

When the meat is just about done, add the entire jar of sauce and incorporate.

Add the olives and incorporate.

Turn the heat to low and let simmer for about 2 minutes, just so everything gets good and hot.

Plate the cauliflower first and top it with the meat and vegetable mixture.  Eat.

TA-DAAAA!