Wednesday, October 12, 2011

A COOL EVENING - SOUP AND STEWS ARE IN ORDER!

Good evening!  Thought I would take this time to update you!  Yesterday Travis came home with his lip black,  I was shocked; I had forgotten that he had a follow-up appointment with dermatologist.. They did a biopsy on his lip six week ago.  They froze his lip three times and didn't actually say the big "C" word, but told him she didn't like the biopsy report.  So he has been in major pain today.  I didn't go to church but cooked him homemade chicken-rice soup!  He only ate one helping - not sure if appetite wasn't the same as usual or he just tolerated it.  Please pray the lip will heal properly and all will be ok!!

Monday was a holiday from the bank so I made a delicious (even if I do say so myself) beef stew.  So - here is the recipe as I remember it!  It makes a large amount -- but it went fast!!

COUNTRY BEEF STEW

1 large pkg. stew meat or cut up a big nice piece of sirloin steak in inch squares
1 onion chopped
2 to 3 garlic cloves, pressed
1 pkg. (5 or 6 large) carrot, cleaned and cut into about 1/2inch chunks
8 to 10 large red potatoes - peeled and cut into at least fourths
1 can hominy, drained
1 can (15-1/2 oz.) diced tomatoes
2 tablespoons tomato paste ( I love the paste in the tube)
Salt to taste
Good shakes of black pepper (of course I used Penzey's Fresh Ground and probably used 1 tablespoon)
3 large bay leaves
1 tsp. sugar
2 tablespoons Pensey's Beef Roast Flavoring
2 cups cheap red wine
2 tablespoons Canola oil

Heat Canola oil in large skillet and add beef - seasoned with salt and generously covered with black pepper.  Saute until red is missing.  Add onion and garlic, red wine and bay leaves.  Cook until onion is tender and wine is cooked down.  Place beef mixture  in a large crock pot.  Start on high and add 2 cups hot water and 2 tsp. chicken instant chicken bouillon.  Allow to cook until starts to boil.  Add carrots.  Then add potatoes and let cook for about 20 minutes on high.  Then add tomatoes, hominy,sugar,  and other seasoningsm- except tomato paste.   Let cook until meat is tender.  Check water and if needed add 1 cup very hot.  Taste and add salt and black pepper to taste.  Once meat is tender add the tomato paste and cook just a little longer, put on warm until ready to serve!!

Sounds involved - but it flows and I had it ready in about 4 to 5 hours.  It could have been much faster but I would  put the veggies on top of beef in crock pot and go shopping, or go to Mom's.  Normally I would have cooked it all in a big old iron pan with a lid  either left it on the stove top or put in the oven for about 2 hours!  Same thing accomplished.!!! 

I had bought a chicken and had planned to cook it and make chicken enchiladas but Travis wanted soup so that is what I did!!  Yes - I actually bought a whole chicken, cut it up, took off 98% of the skin, then boiled it. Why - when there is every choice at the grocery store:  whole chicken cup up; chicken breasts, with skin or skinless, with bones or boneless; chicken legs or thighs - skinless or with skin.  Well - here is a lesson in being a little old fashion!   The whole chicken was $4.69 - the cut up chicken was $10.49 (smallest one and that was at Super 1) - so I decided I could take about 5 minutes and cut that old bird up!!!!  Yes - something I hate worse than cutting up chicken is sacking my own groceries , taking them to the car, and putting them in the car.  Then you have to unload them at hone!  But - I was near there when I got finished getting hair done -and it is cheaper - so I bit the bullet and did it!!

Oh here is a tip I have been intending to give!  Have you tried the Gourmet Chicken Salad with Cranberries and Pecans at Sams.  It is in the deli (where special cheeses are located).  IT is wonderful - I love it.  It seems to have a dressing that has poppy seeds.  It would be great for a luncheon or just to eat!  I shared it with my sister and then my Mom. 

The only deed I did on Monday was take my Mom a big helping (probably two helpings) of stew and earlier the chicken salad -- but that was good!  So tomorrow we all need to try to make someone else happy!!!    I hope you have a great tomorrow and God will grant you a special blessing.

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