Mom's beef stew
This is the beef stew that I've always known straight from my mom's kitchen. The barley makes it a little bit thicker and the soy sauce gives the broth a nice golden brown color. Mom always did this over the stove, but I've taken to using my slow cooker for making it. I usually prep the vegetables and meat the night before, and put everything together in the morning while making our tea. When I get home from work, the house smells wonderful. Enjoy!
Slow-cooker beef barley stew
Slow-cooker beef barley stew
Meatloaf is the ultimate comfort food
When I think meatloaf, I think of cold fall or winter evenings. It's the best food to have to warm up and settle into the evening with. After experimenting on my own, I discovered the following recipe in my 300 Best Comfort Food book. I was skeptical about the marjoram (because I don't use it much, and I'm not much for the taste either), but it really works in this recipe. Enjoy!
*EDIT: I've been told that the recipe doesn't have the amount of beef to use; you'll need 1 1/2 pounds of beef. You can also do a mix of beef and pork (1lb beef, 1/2lb pork), which is what I've taken to doing lately.
Meatloaf
*EDIT: I've been told that the recipe doesn't have the amount of beef to use; you'll need 1 1/2 pounds of beef. You can also do a mix of beef and pork (1lb beef, 1/2lb pork), which is what I've taken to doing lately.
Meatloaf
My own taco pie
This recipe was born out of hubby pointing out the taco pie kits to me while grocery shopping and demanding that I make it for him. :) I've tried making it in both a shallow pie dish as well as a deep round casserole, and I've found that it works best in the pie plate. The final version uses more refried beans compared to my first try, and has made the pie more filling. If you're not a fan of refried beans, use less; the same is true for the salsa. I liked having my servings topped with shredded lettuce, chopped tomato and sour cream, but hubby prefered topping his with more salsa and some hot sauce. Enjoy!
Taco pie
Taco pie
Shepard's...uh, cottage pie
I like making shepard's pie because it's one of those all-in-one meals: meat, starch and veggies. No need for making any side dishes to go with it (unless you have company, then yes, you will have to make other dishes to accompany it). I recently learned that my "shepard's pie" is actually cottage pie (from Mr. Alton Brown's Good Eats show). The difference is that shepard's pie is made with ground lamb, and cottage pie is made with ground beef. Makes sense when you look at the names of the two dishes. Nevertheless, I still call my recipe shepard's pie. This is my own recipe that I've been using over the years. Enjoy!
Shepard's Pie
Shepard's Pie
All-in-one casserole
I've only made this recipe a few times, but it has definitely become a favorite of ours. It comes from 300 Best Comfort Foods, from one of my favorite sections: A Pound of Ground. I was looking for something new to try and found this great dish. I usually get the rice cooking right away in our rice cooker, and get all the prep and cooking done while the rice cooks (it's usually ready in about 30 minutes, give or take). If you feel the medium salsa is too spicy (or not spicy enough), change it to your tastes. I've found that for me, even though I'm more mild spicy, that the dish is just right because of all the other ingredients mixed together. Enjoy!
Salsa beef and rice casserole
Salsa beef and rice casserole