BRAISED GROUND BEEF WITH APPLES AND DRIED CHERRIES
Prepared in 15 minutes or less plus 2 hours to simmer.

2 lbs of ground beef
1 cup frozen peas
3 tbs extra-virgin olive oil
1 large onion, peeled and coarsely chopped
¼ tsp red pepper flakes
2 tsp nutmeg
½ tsp ginger
½ cup dried cherries
2 green apples, peeled-cored and diced into ½-inch cubes
1 tsp fresh rosemary, chopped
½ cup cider vinegar
2½ cups apple juice
2 lemons, juiced
Salt and fresh pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 300°F and center baking rack.

Season the beef with salt and pepper.

In a small Dutch oven or cast-iron pot, heat 1 tbs olive oil over high heat.  Add the seasoned beef and cook for 5 minutes or until it's gently pink.

Transfer beef to a bowl and set aside.  Lower heat to medium and add remaining olive oil.  Add chopped onion, red pepper flakes and cook for 5 minutes.

Add diced apples, dried cherries, peas, chopped rosemary, lemon juice and cider vinegar.  

Bring to a boil.  Return beef to this pot and add apple juice plus 1 cup of warm water.  

Bring to a gentle simmer.

Cover pot and place into oven to braise for 2 hours.  Goes very well with buttered egg noodles.  Serves 4-6.