Beef Burgundy in the Crock Pot

I love the depth of flavor in this simple, homey dish, so good on a cold rainy day like today, or those blustery winter days.

I planted basil a couple weeks ago so I would have it through the winter months; cold drippy weather came earlier than expected.

The same weather makes it perfect for a hot, hearty stew!

Ingredients:
1/3 cup all purpose flour OR 1 teaspoon glucomannon for THM or gluten free
2 teaspoons salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
2 lbs. beef stew meat, cubed
1 1/2 cups sliced carrots
8 - 12 oz. sliced mushrooms
4 small onions, cut in large chunks or 10 oz package pearl onions
4 cloves garlic, minced or pressed
1 bay leaf
2 cups beef broth
3/4 cup burgundy

In a 4 qt (or larger, if that's what you have) slow cooker, combine the beef, flour or glucomannon, salt and pepper, mixing well to coat the meat.

 Add all the other ingredients.

Cook on high for 8 hours or low for 12 hours.

Serve over Dreamfield's pasta for THM, rice pasta or rice for gluten free, or egg noodles if it doesn't matter; my guys prefer the egg noodles, I usually eat it over Dreamfield's rotini.

 Enjoy!

Tex Mex Rice Casserole

I must be in a carb mood because that seems to be what I am caving to lately. Another from my older recipe binder, this spicy rice and corn casserole really hit the spot!

Loaded with complex carbohydrates, topped with cheesy goodness, and just the right amount of spice, how can you resist?

Ingredients:
3 cups cooked brown rice
1 10 oz package frozen corn
2 cloves fresh garlic, minced or pressed
3/4 cup chopped sweet onion
1 cup milk or half and half
1 1/2 teaspoons chili powder
1/2 teaspoon cumin
3 teaspoons red hot sauce ( I used Frank's)
2 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
2 cups shredded cheddar + 1/2 cup to top
1 large tomato, sliced

Grease a 3 quart casserole dish. Mix together the rice, corn, garlic, onion, milk, chili powder, hot sauce, salt, pepper, and 2 cups cheese in the casserole.

Top with the sliced tomato.

Bake in a preheated 350F oven for for 35 to 40 minutes or until hot throughout. Sprinkle the rest of the cheese on top and return to oven until melted, 10 minutes.

 Enjoy!

Savory Egg Noodles with a Special Little Something

Every great once in a while, a recipe I haven't made in years just pops into my head and is on my mind until I make it. Sometime around 20 years ago, this noodle dish appeared at a pot luck event, I was so taken with it I asked several people until I discovered who brought it.  This was not the prettiest dish on the table, in fact, I probably would not have tried it except for the fact that I love egg noodles.

As you read through the recipe one of the ingredients may seem out of place, however, it literally makes the dish! Try it, you won't be sorry.

Ingredients:
1 small head cabbage
1 medium yellow onion
2 tablespoons butter
1 large bag egg noodles, width does not matter
1 stick real butter (8 tablespoons)
1 12 oz jar mild banana pepper rings
salt and pepper to taste

Begin by cooking the noodles according to package directions, drain and set aside.

While the noodles are cooking, shred the cabbage and chop the onion.

Saute the cabbage and onion in the 2 tablespoons butter.

 Into a medium crock pot or back into the pasta pot, put the drained noodles, sauteed cabbage and onion, the stick of butter and the jar of banana peppers, that's right, just dump that whole jar in, if you are leery then start with 1/2 the jar, salt and pepper to taste. Sometimes I pour most of the liquid in and just a few peppers because one of my family members likes the flavor but picks the peppers out.

 Stir gently. Set crock pot to low to keep warm or just stir and serve, yum!