Lazy Sunday Stew

Who are we kidding? Every day is lazy around here! Not for long though, I feel that given my last pregnancy I only have about a month left of the sickies. Don't be fooled by my plastic bowls and plates. This stew tasted like it deserved to be served on a golden platter.

The meat was so tender it melted in my mouth. The flavors of the carrots, potatoes, and peas with the tomato flavor in the sauce was the epitome of comfort food. It may seem like a strange meal for Arizona in the middle of August, but I do very little normal around here. Might I add the cornbread is the perfect touch to a dish like this.

Ingredients:
4 lbs bottom round, trimmed and cut into 2-in pieces or 4 lbs precut stew meat
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/3 cup olive oil
2 large yellow onions, chopped
1 6-oz can tomato paste
1 cup dry red wine
1 pound Yukon gold potatoes, cut into 2-in pieces, peel if desired
8 oz baby-cut carrots
1 14.5 oz can beef broth
1 T kosher salt
1 T fresh thyme leaves or 1 tsp dried thyme
1 bay leaf
1 cup frozen peas

Directions:
Heat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly coat the beef in the flour. Heat 3 tablespoons of the oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat (Dutch oven matters here--the lid has to be heavy enough to really trap moisture and heat). Add some of the beef to the pot, being careful not to crowd the pieces. Cook until browned, about 7 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate; set aside. Repeat with remaining oil and beef. Reduce heat to medium, add the onions and cook for 10 minutes. Add the tomato paste and stir. Add the wine and cook, stirring to scrape up any browned bits, for 1 minute. Add the beef, potatoes, carrots, broth, salt, thyme, and bay leaf. Cover and bring to a boil. Transfer to the oven. Cook until the beef is tender, 2 to 2 1/2 hrs. Remove and discard the bay leaf. Add the peas and cook over medium-high heat for 3 minutes or so. Ladle into individual bowls.

TO FREEZE: Omit the peas. Let the stew cool, then ladle it into resealable freezer bags. Store for up to 3 months.

Picnic Worthy Baked Beans

I'm going to a picnic and I'm bringing.........

A- Almond Joy Pie








B- Baked Beans, but not just any Baked Beans. The kind of baked beans that have people going back for seconds and thirds. Thanks to Louise for hosting this fabulous Picnic.



I promise once you try them you will never go back to the "old beans." Perhaps the only weird thing about this recipe is the mental debate I had on Ketchup vs Catsup. Why the different spellings?





Ingredients:

1 lb ground beef
1 large onion chopped
1 tsp salt
1-2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
1/2 tsp dry mustard
2/3 cup Ketchup
1 can red kidney beans
1 16oz pork and beans
3 TBS brown sugar
Cooked and chopped bacon (optional)

Directions:
Cook meat and onion till browned. Mix with remaining ingredients and pour into casserole dish and bake one hour at 350 degrees.

Easy Garlic Marinade

Happy 100th post to me! It seems like I should of made something more extravagant to mark this occasion, but I have to say it was pretty tasty for being so easy.

Garlic Marinade

Ingredients:

1-2 whole garlic bulbs
3-4 teaspoons snipped fresh basil
1 tablespoon snipped fresh rosemary or 1 teaspoon dried, crushed, rosemary
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons fresh squeezed lemon juice

Directions:
Blend all ingredients in a blender. Place boneless beef rib eye steaks or sirloin steak into a zip lock bag and pour mixture over meat. Place sealed bag in casserole dish and put in in fridge for 2-24 hours. Grill as desired. I doubled this sauce as I had a large steak.

Makes for great fajitas the next day!

Savory Crockpot London Broil

It was just one of those meals that was just really satisfying for a Sunday afternoon. I love the crockpot. It is perfect for cooking in Arizona.

1 1/2 to 2 pounds round steak
1 1/2 cups chopped onion
8 ounces sliced fresh mushrooms
1 package (about 1.5 ounces) dry stroganoff mix
1 package (about 2.75 ounces) country gravy mix (enough to make 2 cups)
1 can (10.5 ounces) condensed beef broth, undiluted
Dash pepper
1 teaspoon dried parsley flakes
Salt, to taste
2 Tbs. corn starch mixed with cold milk
Preparation:

Cut beef into 1/2-inch pieces. Sear in pan until just cooked. Combine in the slow cooker with the onions and mushrooms. Toss with the stroganoff and gravy mixes. Stir in the beef broth and wine; sprinkle with pepper and the parsley flakes. Add well mixed corn starch for thickening. Cover and cook for 7 to 9 hours; taste and add salt, as desired.
Serve with hot cooked rice, noodles, or potatoes, and a green vegetable or tossed salad.
Serves 4 to 6.







I also made orange glazed rolls with grapefruit zest instead of the standard orange zest. It was refreshing and the perfect touch for this meal.

Beef Stroganoff

1 Round Steak cut into small cubes (sprinkled with tenderizer)
Flour, salt, and pepper
1/2 cup chopped onion
1 clove of garlic minced
1 can mushrooms sliced (some juice)
1 cup sour cream
1 can condensed tomato soup
6 drops Tabasco sauce ( I used more)
1/2 tsp salt
1 1/2 Tbsp. Worcestershire
Dash of Pepper

cooked spaghetti
Parmesan cheese

Dip meat in flour and brown in oil. Add onion, garlic, and mushrooms. Combine sour cream, tomato soup, and seasonings. Pour over meat. Simmer till tender at least 1 hr. Serve over Spaghetti and top with Parmesan cheese. Serve and Enjoy!

(I doubled everything for leftovers)