Pot Roast: Back to Basics

Pot roasting beef is a great way to get a tender dish from a fairly tough cut of meat. Pot roast typically refers to tougher cuts of beef: chuck, rump, or brisket cooked by braising. Braising simply means a wet, slow cook. Slow cookers and Crock-Pots® work well for this type of cooking, but the …

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Ground Beef and Cabbage Skillet

Heather says: File this meal under pretty good comfort food. Mr. Heather filed it under “should make again” but he’s from Minnesota and used to consider “hotdish” its own food group. Relax, I’m just teasing to pick on my in-laws. Everyone say hi to Nan and Gramps. Back to the food, it’s important to remember …

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Beef Pepper Steak

Heather says: Beef pepper steak is a great meal that can be prepared in about the same amount of time it takes to make rice. It’s also flexible enough to play with. Use different colored bell peppers for variety and if you’d like, toss in extras like: bean sprouts, snow peas, or mushrooms. This meal …

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Fish and Chips, Oven Fried Recipe

Heather says: While I will always prefer the beer battered and deep fried fish, this version is a close second and is much healthier. Nearly any white-fleshed fish will do: cod, walleye, or whiting for example. If you would like the chips done completely in the oven, follow the directions for these potato wedges, omitting …

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Pseudo Shepherds Pie Recipe

Heather.jpgHeather says:

Traditional Shepherd’s pie contains lamb, gravy, and vegetables, covered with mashed potatoes. Its close cousin cottage pie contains beef. This version substitutes vegetable stock for the broth used to make the gravy and contains kidney beans to provide protein. As the mashed potatoes contain milk and are topped with cheese, this one dish* meal is suitable for lacto-ovo vegetarians. If you are opposed to alcohol, just use an additional 1/2 cup of stock.

*It ends up in one dish but takes several to cook.

Pseudo Shepherds Pie Ingredients

  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 medium diced onion
  • 2 cloves garlic – minced or pressed
  • 2 carrots, diced
  • 2 ribs of celery, chopped
  • 1 cup mushrooms – sliced
  • 1 cup vegetable stock
  • 1/2 cup red wine (or substitute an additional 1/2 cup of stock)
  • 1 tsp cornstarch
  • 2 cups or 1 can kidney beans (fully cooked)
  • 1/2 cup frozen vegetables (use whatever you have on hand: corn, green beans, peas)
  • 1/2 tsp dried thyme
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • pepper to taste
  • 4 potatoes – peeled, and cut into 1″ cubes
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 1 tbsp butter
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 2 oz of cheddar cheese

Directions after the jump.

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How To Make Beef Stew

Heather says: Growing up, I thought I hated beef stew. I avoided it at all costs. Then came the day I was on complete bed rest during my first pregnancy. I had just gotten out of the hospital, and my ex-husband’s grandparents were kind enough to bring over dinner. Not knowing the depths of my …

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Chicken in the Crockpot

Dear Home Ec 101, What can I put in the crock pot with some chicken breasts? I’m not wanting to dump a hunk of cream of salt and fat, Ummmm I mean cream of chicken in on top. other suggestions for something a bit different. ~Starving in Stirling Heather says: Who am I to knock …

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Meatloaf: Back to Basics

Dear Home Ec 101 Ladies, I was talking to my sweetie yesterday about my inability to make a meatloaf. I have tried everything. I once bought a pan with holes in the bottom that would drain the grease into another pan – this was to make my meatloaf grease free but delicious. It was nasty. …

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