One of my favourite meals for lunch when working from home is beef mince.

At about $AUD11/kilogram, it’s relatively economical. I realise I speak from a privileged position; I have a job and can afford to buy meat. I know many people in society cannot afford to buy any meat.

The meal takes about 20 minutes to prepare and five minutes to eat.

Ingredients

• Minced beef from the supermarket — 300 grams
• Salt
• Cheese — Cheddar — grated.
• Cream — pure, not thickened — pouring cream.

Equipment

• Frypan

Instructions

1. Place the meat into the frypan and add about half a cup of tap water.
2. Place the frypan on a hob and turn on the heat.
3. Bring the water to a simmer and keep the water boiling.
4. With a wooden spoon or spatula, gently press down on the meat to separate it while the simmering water steams it.
5. Season with salt.
6. Add some cheese and a dash of cream when the water evaporates.
7. Turn off the heat, let the residual heat melt the cheese, and incorporate the cream as the meat is gently stirred.
8. Transfer the food to a shallow bowl and eat with a spoon.

Photographs