Ah, the joy of discovering a dish that feels like an old friend—Easy Joe’s Special is exactly that. Imagine a cozy evening, where the aroma of savory goodness wraps around you like your favorite blanket; this recipe is a crowd-pleaser that’ll make even your pickiest eater crack a smile. And let me tell you, it’s as easy as finding a viral cat video—quick, satisfying, and something you might just come back to time and again.
Steps
- Mince the garlic and dice the onion. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat, and cook the garlic and onion until they are soft and translucent, about 5 minutes.
- Add the ground beef to the skillet along with oregano, salt, and Worcestershire sauce. Cook until the beef is browned, breaking it into smaller pieces as it cooks, which should take 7-10 minutes.
- Once the beef is cooked, add the frozen chopped spinach. Continue to cook and stir until the spinach is completely thawed and heated through, breaking up any clumps as needed.
- Lightly whisk the eggs in a separate bowl. Push the beef and spinach mixture to one side of the skillet and pour in the eggs, gently scrambling them until cooked but still moist, making sure not to mix them with the beef until fully cooked.
- After the eggs are cooked, stir them into the beef mixture and turn off the heat. Crumble or roughly chop the feta cheese and sprinkle it over the skillet along with the grated parmesan cheese.
- Stir everything to combine, taste the mixture, and adjust the salt if necessary. Serve immediately, perhaps with a piece of hearty toast or stuffed inside a pita for a complete meal.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 yellow onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 pound ground beef (90/10)
- 1 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 pound frozen chopped spinach
- 6 large eggs
- 2 ounces feta cheese (optional)
- 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
Nutritional Values
Calories: 1806 kcal | Carbohydrates: 30 g | Protein: 181 g | Fat: 120 g | Sodium: 3108 mg | Fiber: 12 g
FAQ
- What is Joe’s Special and what ingredients are typically used?
- Joe’s Special is a hearty dish originating from a San Francisco restaurant, traditionally made with ground beef, spinach, and eggs. This version features additional ingredients like feta cheese and oregano for extra flavor.
- Can I use a different type of cheese if I don’t have feta?
- Yes, you can substitute feta with parmesan cheese. If you choose to use only parmesan, consider increasing the amount to 1/4 cup for more flavor.
- Is it necessary to use frozen chopped spinach, or can I use fresh?
- While the recipe uses frozen chopped spinach for its texture, you can also use fresh spinach. Just make sure to chop it finely to avoid long, stringy pieces.
- What are some serving suggestions for Joe’s Special?
- Joe’s Special can be served in various ways, such as open-faced over whole grain toast, stuffed inside a pita, or accompanied by a fresh piece of fruit for a balanced meal.
- Can this dish be made spicier?
- Absolutely! If you enjoy a bit of heat, you can add crushed red pepper flakes while cooking the ground beef for an added spicy kick.
Tips
- Use bagged frozen chopped spinach for a better texture, but if you opt for block spinach, ensure it’s chopped to avoid long, stringy pieces. Feel free to use a whole 10-ounce block if desired.
- To achieve distinct clumps of egg, cook the eggs separately from the beef mixture. Push the beef and spinach to one side of the pan, scramble the eggs until cooked, and then combine them with the beef. Alternatively, use a separate skillet for larger egg clumps.
- If you don’t have feta cheese, you can substitute it with parmesan cheese. Just increase the parmesan to 1/4 cup to maintain the dish’s flavor.
- Enhance the dish by adding sriracha for a spicy kick or incorporating a sliced tomato for freshness when serving.
Equipment
- Non-stick skillet or frying pan – A good quality skillet is essential for cooking the ground beef, spinach, and eggs without sticking.
- Whisk – Useful for lightly whisking the eggs.
- Garlic press or mincer – If you don’t already have one, this can make mincing garlic easier and quicker.
- Cheese grater – For grating parmesan cheese, if not already grated.
