I had a craving for minchee during the week before Christmas. We didn’t have any pork mince in the freezer, so we used turkey mince instead. Well, it did seem appropriate, with Christmas coming and all. :) In this turkey version, the mince turned out looking quite wormy, but it’s just the way it came (we could’ve broken it up more as we cooked it, I suppose). I did miss the extra fattiness and flavour that pork mince gives the dish; but of course turkey, being leaner, is a healthy alternative.
I regularly get asked for a recipe for minchee, so here it is – the closest thing we have to a recipe. Everything is done to taste, so there are no specific amounts mentioned for the seasoning. Season to your taste, and taste as you go.
Minchee, Jac and TFP’s version
We use the same weight of pork mince as potato e.g. 250 grams pork mince and 250 grams potato (use whatever amounts you think you need to feed however many people you are cooking for. We like to cook extra so we’ll have leftovers for the next day).
Peel and chop the potatoes into 1cm cubes. Parboil them (we do it in the microwave, placing the potatoes in water) until softened but still firm – they should be cooked and firm (they must still hold their cube shape) but not hard. Drain the potatoes and set aside.
In a pan or wok (we like to use our electric fry pan) heat up a little vegetable or peanut oil. Fry chopped onion and garlic until softened, then add the mince. Use spatula to break the mince up so it won’t cook in big clumps. No need to season at this point.
When the colour of mince has changed from its raw pink to a greyish/brownish colour, it’s time to add the potatoes.
Mix the pork and potatoes through carefully so you won’t break the potatoes up in the process. Season the mixture well with black pepper, soy sauce and oyster sauce. We use more oyster sauce than soy. If you like it saucier, add some water or chicken stock to make a bit of a gravy. We usually let it cook for a few minutes more so the flavours can sink into the potatoes and mince, and the mince is definitely cooked through. That’s pretty much it. Enjoy with rice (and a green vegetable dish for a more balanced meal).
I'm TFP, a food blogger from Perth, Western Australia.
{ 10 comments… read them below or add one }
Thanks a lot, TFP! I can’t wait to try this out.
I plan on trying it out too! Just as soon as this damn weather cools down and my love of cooking anything more than a salad returns…
my grandmother used to make it for me all the time with slices of chicken thighs or pork slices and gosh it tastes yummy everytime! she sometimes varies the recipe for me and use an equal amount of ketchup and oyster sauce (because i am obsessed with ketchup!), maybe you can try that as well! btw, have you always known the dish to be minchee? i realized that i dont have a name for it! xx
try it with chicken, it’s yummy too!
i made this for dinner tonight — it was GREAT! thanks, tfp!!
CS,
Hope you like it. Let me know how it goes.
Holly,
Cool! (Or should that be Hot!?) I crave hot food all year round, no matter what the weather.
Lydia,
Growing up,I don’t remember my grandma calling this dish by any name. It was only as an adult that I noticed my mum referring to it as minchee. I was just pleased to finally have a name for it other than “pork mince with potato cubes”. :) Ketchup sounds interesting, but I think Jac wouldn’t be into that as much as me. I could always stir some into my serve, couldn’t I? :)
Kiran,
Oh yes. Chicken is good with everything!
Great, Sarah! Glad to hear it!
Anything that has potato + oyster sauce + soy sauce is yummy haha. I made one the other day, with cauliflower in it too. Oh gosh I polished off SUCH A HUGE BOWL!
Comfort food, indeed :) Love your blog, always gets me hungry hehe. Thanks for the pictures of all the yummy food, TFP!
My pleasure, Stephanie. I’m always pleased to hear the blog makes someone hungry! I agree – oyster sauce, soy sauce and potatoes are a magical combination.
I made this for my family last night and it was a huge hit! I served bok choy, something I love to eat but have never cooked before, and it was great too. When a 7 yr old says “I cant stop eating this stuff!” you know you have a winner.
Oh, it was even better the next morning at breakfast. I thought if TFP can do it, so can I. I might start eating dinner left-overs for breakfast from now on, lol.
My sister has asked for this recipe after hearing us rave about it. Thanks TFP, you saved supper.
Cool, chef biatch! Jac was chuffed when I told her about your comment. And I think it’s brilliant you tried it for breakfast AND found it to be better the next day! I always reckon it tastes even better the next day. Let me know how it goes with your sister. :)