Recipe: Classic Swiss Steak for the Crock Pot

I don’t know about you, but my time in the kitchen has been greatly limited since taking on a new job. I’m out the door at 7:00 AM and arrive back home around 6:00 PM every day. Given my new schedule, i’ve had to find more recipes that allow me to whip up something in 30 to 40 minutes or throw something in the crock pot before leaving for work each morning. All I can say is “Thank heaven above for the person who invented the crock pot”!

This is a classic Swiss Steak recipe. Turns out tender and moist every time.

Classic Swiss Steak – Crock Pot Style
1 round steak (you can use cubed steak if you like)
2 cup flour
1/4 tbsp. butter
4 oz. tomato sauce
1 onion, sliced
1 green pepper, sliced

Cut steak into serving portions. Combine flour, salt, and black pepper in medium-size bowl. Roll cut steaks in flour mixture, coating both sides. Melt shortening or butter in a hot skillet. Brown round steak on both sides, but do not cook. Place in Crockery Pot and add tomato sauce, onion, and green pepper. Cook on low for 6 to 12 hours (high up to 6 hours).

Y’all Enjoy!

Recipe: Easy Beef Vegetable Soup

Fall has finally arrived and I’m making soup.  I love a big bowl of hearty soup with some crusty bread.  So very comfort food!   The other thing I love about – easy.    Oh, you could spend hours letting is simmer on the stove, but who really has time for that these days.  Nope!  I’m a get’ er done kinda gal and prefer something tasty and quick.  No need to worry about ‘what’s for dinner’.   I made this for dinner last night and the boys ate it all.  (I had one bowl.)  Give it a try this fall.

Starwoodgal’s Easy Beef Vegetable Soup

1 to 1 1/2 pounds beef stew meat – (I recommend getting the good stuff. Lean trim)
1 can diced tomatoes (14 1/2 oz)
1 can tomato soup
4 cubes beef bouillon
Water
1 large onion – chopped
2 cloves garlic – chopped
2 stalks celery – chopped
3 or 4 carrots – sliced
1 can green beans
1 cup frozen corn
thin spaghetti
salt and pepper to taste

Drizzle some olive oil in deep pot or dutch oven and heat.  Add sliced/diced onion, garlic, and the stew meat.  Season with S&P and brown the meat.  Add everything else except the spaghetti.  Add a couple of cans of water (use soup can to measure).  You’ll need enough water to make sure ingredients are covered, but visible.   You can always add water if you need it later.  Be careful about adding salt because your bouillon cubes are salty already.  Simmer for 30 minutes or so.  Add spaghetti.  Just enough to have a few pieces on each spoon full.  Break into 1 inch pieces.  Cook for an additional 12 to 15 minutes and enjoy with bread or saltines.

Y’all Enjoy! 

Recipe: Noodle Mess

My husband loves ‘noodle mess’. His mother made this for him a lot when he was a kid. He thought the recipe was something complicated and I’m so ‘whatever! It can’t be that difficult. It’s noodles’. So I asked her what ‘noodle mess’ was one day and she just laughed and said ‘Whatever I have in the pantry, plus ground beef, tomatoes, and noodles’. (seriously) And, since I’m all about the easy-to-make, quick, down and dirty cooking method – on top of which the hubster loves this stuff – I’m all over it. I make this at least twice a month. Throw a little salad and buttery, toasted bread on the side and viola – dinner!

Mem’s Noodle Mess

1 cup uncooked elbow macaroni or whatever pasta you prefer (I’ve made it with all kinds)
1 pound ground beef, or turkey, or sausage – your choice
1 can of diced tomatoes (season or not – your choice)
1 small can of tomato sauce
1/2 cup chopped onion
1 clove garlic – chopped

Now – I’ve been known to add corn, red beans, diced green paper, mushrooms – whatever. If you have it in your pantry or frig and it sounds good, throw it in there. I bet replacing the tomatoes with Rotel would be really good too if you want to spice this up a bit.

Brown the meat, throw everything else in and season to taste with salt and pepper. Meanwhile, cook your pasta according to directions and drain. Add to the meat mixture and stir and that’s Mem’s Noodle Mess.

Throw a little grated cheese on top for kicks.

Y’all Enjoy!