Tag Archives: easy dinner recipes

Swiss Steak Supreme – Recipe of the Week

This is a recipe that I have served my family for years.  I know there are many articles on the dangers of eating too much red meat – and yet steak continues to be one of my family favorites.

Recently I was introduced to a wonderful Website:  Well-beingSecrets.com that is filled with great information. You should visit it often.

Helen Nichols, Editor-in-Chief of the site has written an article based on research about 31 Science-Backed Health Benefits of SteakI think you will find it very interesting.  ENJOY (the article and your steak)!

Swiss Steak Supreme

Swiss Steak Supreme
Image by Larry Cowling
Cully’s Kitchen

Ingredients

  • 1½ pounds top round steak (¾” thick)
  • 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
  • ¼ teaspoon dried thyme leaves
  • 1/8 teaspoon black pepper (ground)
  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • ½ cup onion, sliced very thin
  • ½ cup mushrooms trimmed and sliced
  • 2 medium carrots, peeled, trimmed, and cut into 1½” X ¼” strips (optional)
  • 1 can (10.5 oz.) condensed French onion soup

Directions

  1. Have a 10″ or 12″ inch heavy skillet ready (cast-iron preferred) – with a lid.
  2. Place steak between two heavy pieces of plastic wrap and pound with a wooden mallet or bottom of a small sauce pan to ¼” thickness – then, cut into 6 pieces.
  3. In a 9″ pie plate, stir together the flour, parsley, thyme, and pepper.
  4. Place oil in the skillet and heat over medium-high heat.
  5. Dredge each piece steak in the flour mixture and place in the hot oil – cook 3 to 4 minutes on each side.
  6. Add all remaining ingredients.
  7. Reduce heat to low and cover.
  8. Continue cooking until steak is tender (~50 to 60 minutes).
  9. Serve with creamy mashed potatoes and a steamed green vegetable.

Servings: 6

This recipe comes from “Dinner – 55 Easy Recipes” Volume I of the Mama Legacy Cookbook Series. [button link=”http://amzn.to/12PTbCX” bg_color=”#252e8f” border=”#0c0d0f”]BUY NOW[/button]and enjoy all the amazing recipes. 

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Cheesy Tuna Casserole – Busy Mom’s Series

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Cheesy Tuna Casserole
Image by Elizabeth Brixton

Cheesy Tuna Casserole is the perfect family supper as the days get shorter and the weather grows cooler. After a long, tiring day at work and school, this comfort food will be enjoyed by all.

INGREDIENTS

  • 3 cups egg noodles
  • ¼ cup butter (do not use margarine)
  • 1 cup chopped red sweet pepper
  • 1 cup chopped celery (~2 stalks)
  • ¼ cup yellow onion, finely diced
  • ¼ cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 – 2 tablespoons Dijon-style mustard
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 2¼ cups milk
  • 1 can (12 oz) chunk white tuna (water pack), drained and broken into chunks; two 5-ounce pouches chunk light tuna in water, drained; or two 6-ounce cans skinless, boneless salmon, drained
  • 1 cup cubed cheddar cheese
  • ½ cup soft bread crumbs
  • ¼ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese (1 ounce)
  • 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, snipped or minced
  • 1 tablespoon butter, melted

 

DIRECTIONS

  1. Preheat oven to 375º F.
  2. Lightly butter a 2-quart baking dish; set aside.
  3. In a large saucepan cook noodles according to package directions; drain.
  4. Return noodles to pan, cover, and set aside.

Prepare the Sauce

  1. Melt ¼ cup butter in a medium-sized sauce pan over medium heat.
  2. Add sweet pepper, celery, and onion – sauté for 8 to 10 minutes or until tender, stirring occasionally.
  3. Stir in flour, mustard, salt, and black pepper.
  4. Gradually stir in milk and cook, stirring continuously, until slightly thickened and bubbly.
  5. Using a wooden spoon or rubber spatula gently fold sauce, tuna, and cheddar cheese into cooked noodles.
  6. Pour noodle mixture to the buttered baking dish.
  7. In a small bowl stir together soft bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese, and parsley; stir in melted butter.
  8. Sprinkle crumb mixture over noodle mixture.
  9. Bake, uncovered, for 25 to 30 minutes or until bubbly.

To Freeze and Serve Later

  1. Cover baking dish with plastic wrap, then with foil.
  2. Freeze for up to 1 month.
  3. TO SERVE:  Thaw in the refrigerator overnight (may still be a bit icy).
  4. Bake uncovered in preheated oven (375º F) for 65 to 75 minutes or until heated through.
  5. Let stand for 5 minutes before serving.

NOTE:  Can be made with other types of pasta, experiment and find the one your family enjoys the most. 

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Asian Short Ribs – Busy Mom’s Series

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Asian Short Ribs makes a great family dinner because you can prepare it in minutes and the flavor from the marinade is appealing to all ages. Although this recipe is specifically for short ribs, the marinade is so tasty that is works well with a variety of meats: grilled beef, pork, or chicken.  

Asian Short Ribs

INGREDIENTS

  • 4 pounds short ribs (thin slices with bone attached)

MARINADE

  • 3/4 cup soy sauce
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons sugar (white or brown)
  • 1-2 tablespoons honey
  • 2-3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1″ chunk ginger, grated
  • 3-4 green onions, finely chopped
  • 1-2 teaspoons sesame oil
  • Freshly-ground lack pepper, to taste

Preparation

  1. Tenderize enough to break fibers and allow the marinade to penetrate into the meat (at a minimum pierce with a fork)
  2. Mix the marinade ingredients, pour over the meat, and allow to marinate – minimum 2 hours, or up to all day or overnight.
  3. Grill or broil the ribs 3-5 minutes per side, or to desired doneness. (Avoid overcooking)
  4. Serve on a bed of finely sliced lettuce, if desired.



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Slow Cooker Recipes – Tips for Good Results

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Slow Cooker Recipe Boo
Click on Image to Purchase Cookbook

 

Slow cooker recipes can be found everywhere.  Choosing them is extremely easy because the cookers are so versatile. Don’t underestimate the value of this wonderful kitchen appliance. If you are among those who think they are only good for making soups and stews; let me assure you they can do so much more.  

 

Tips for Making the Most of your Slow Cooker Recipes

  1. A slow cooker will not brown meat – The temperature is too low. The meat will be cooked completely (temperature reaches 190º F.) but not have that golden glaze that is characteristic of browning meat in a pan. If you want to have the look and flavor of browned meat, brown it in a skillet before adding it to the cooker.
  2. Choose your meat wisely and save money – Because the cooking process takes at least four hours (HIGH setting), you do not have to buy the tender (and expensive) cuts of meat. The juices tenderize the meat as it cooks.
  3. Use fresh herbs – The slow heating process will bring out the essence from the herbs to enhance the flavor of your food.
  4. Some veggies take longer to cook – Root vegetables like potatoes, carrots and turnips take longer to break down and soften when cooking. For even cooking of all the ingredients it is better to place these veggies on the bottom closest to the heat.
  5. Cut up or dice your vegetables in closely-sized pieces – This ensures that everything will be cooked thoroughly. The main idea behind slow cooking is slow even cooking.
  6. Thicken sauces during the last 30 minutes of cooking – If you want to thicken your sauce, stew broth, or soup stock, add your thickener (flour or cornstarch) during the last half hour of cooking and turn the temperature control up to HIGH. Remove the lid since cooking is basically finished.
  7. Do not fill the cooker completely full – It will be harder to reach a steady simmer if the pot is full. Leave at least one-third to one-half of the pot empty.
  8. Remove fat before cooking – To reduce the amount of fat in a recipe, eliminate as much as possible before you start cooking. Skin raw poultry and remove excess fat. Trim the fat from beef, pork chops, etc.
  9. Thaw meat before cooking in the slow cooker – Frozen meat may not reach the appropriate cooking temperature in the time allotted for cooking.
  10.  Frozen vegetables do not have to be thawed – They can be added 30 minutes before the end of cooking time.
  11. Peeking is not allowed – Constantly lifting the lid during cooking can increase your cooking time. When you lift the lid you lower the temperature and interrupt the simmer – so resist the temptation to “check it out.”

Now that you know what can be cooked in the slow cooker and how to cook the different foods, it is time to find new recipes and use it more frequently than your stove. In other words – use it whenever possible.

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Macaroni and Cheese for Slow Cooker, Busy Mom’s Slow Cooker Recipe #5

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Macaroni and Cheese for Slow Cooker
Macaroni and Cheese
© rafer76 – Fotolia.com

Macaroni and Cheese for Slow Cooker is the ideal way to cook this childhood favorite and wonderful comfort food. This easy recipe will be appreciated by all – especially you (the cook).

INGREDIENTS 

  • 1 package of macaroni noodles
  • 1 can evaporated milk
  • 3 large eggs
  • ½ cube butter (do not use margarine)
  • 2 bags of grated mild cheddar cheese
  • ½ cup whole milk

DIRECTIONS

  1. Cook the noodles according to the directions on the package and drain.
  2. Place half of the cooked noodles in the slow cooker.
  3. Cover with half of the cheese.
  4. Add another layer of noodles and top with the remaining cheese.
  5. In a separate bowl, combine the evaporated milk and eggs and whip until frothy.
  6. Salt and pepper to taste – use a light hand, more can always be added.
  7. Pour milk and egg mixture over the noodles and cheese.
  8. Slice the butter and place around the top.
  9. Add the whole milk carefully.
  10. Cook on LOW for approximately three hours.

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