Jan 16, 2017

Slow Cooker Beef For Use In Recipes



We are so busy these days and at times just plain tired.  Beef with a few ingredients can be added to a slow cooker and then used in many of your favorite recipes.  You can also cool and refrigerate for up to two days to use. I think if we take a little time to do these things it makes it easier to prepare meals for our family.  

Once you decide what you will be cooking you can prepare the other ingredients. Just store them in the fridge until use in the meal.  This will make fixing your meal a snap!  You can then work with peace of mind, knowing that your meal will be easy tonight. You may want to just relax or go shopping, it's up to you.



Ingredients

1 Lb. stew beef (use a good quallity stew beef or chuck roast)
1 cup water
2 beef bouillon cubes
1/4 cup dried minced onions
1/2 cup onion chopped finely or 1 tsp. onion powder
2 cloves garlic minced finely or 1/2 tsp. granulated garlic or garlic powder
Pinch of each of the following:  salt, black pepper, celery seed, optional: pinch of sugar
* Note * depending on your family size you can double the recipe

Directions

Put all ingredients in slow cooker stir a little, cover and cook on high 4-6 hours or on low for 8-10 hours.  You will want the beef to be fork tender.  Remove beef and broth from crock pot and use in your favorite recipes.  You can even cool and place in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.


Some Ideas

Stir Fry
Mix together 1 Tbs. corn starch that has been diluted in small amount of cold water.
Add corn starch mixture to beef, that has been pulled apart if pieces are too large, Add broth
Stir the following into the beef:  a Small amount of soy sauce, teriyaki sauce, and Worcestershire Sauce
Sit on counter while you stir fry veggies of your choice.
When vegetables are crisp tender add beef mixture to warm through.  Serve over cooked rice or noodles.
* Season only if necessary after tasting.


Gravy/Stews
Add hot tap water to a large cup ( I use a large plastic cup gotten from a fast food recipe) and sit aside
Add 1/4 cup flour to frying pan with the drained broth from crock pot.  Thicken over medium high heat stirring constantly.  Add enough hot water a little at a time if needed stirring constantly to thicken to your liking.  Add vegetables of your choice if you wish cook covered on medium low until tender. Adding water as needed.  Add beef and Turn down heat as needed. Leave on low to keep warm.
* Season only if necessary after tasting.


Stroganoff
At the end of crock pot cooking  add 2 Tbs. flour to small bowl and add a small amount of cold water stir mixing well removing all flour lumps.  Add to crock pot stirring easy but well.  Put crock pot on high and check after 30 minutes or so.  When thickened and warm add sour cream stir warm shortly. Cook noodles of your choice then top with beef mixture.
* Season only if necessary after tasting.


Bouginion
Thicken as in gravy, adding more water or beef broth as needed. Add vegetables (potatoes, carrots, mushrooms, 1 Tbs. tomato paste, a little thyme and cook until tender. Add  beef, add wine heat through and serve.
* Season only if necessary after tasting.



This simple recipe is easy and you can use the beef in many ways:  A gravy with added potatoes, onions and carrots if you choose. Serve alone or over rice. Add some sour cream, touch of heavy cream warm and serve over prepared noodles. Steam or saute some fresh peppers, onions, celery, squash and carrots, to serve on the side. You may want to leave the soup out replace with a cup of water then when beef is tender and add fresh mushrooms and cream: Or thicken with a little flour or corn starch and serve with vegetables for a quick stir fry.  Whatever you decide to make it will make for a hearty warm meal on a cold winter evening after a day of hard work.


We've been very busy around here lately with the home repairs and they are winding down.
It has been an interesting time indeed.
Chuck and I have met and worked with some very nice people.
I can't wait to share the simple before and afters with you.
You may remember our new roof if not you can read about it here

I'll give you a sneak peak at the painting that has begun on the front porch ceiling.
You know my "Haint Blue Ceiling"
You can read about the first post I did while thinking about painting it here



Join me on Facebook for more pictures, links and information that aren't always shared here.
I'd love to have you Hibiscus House Facebook Page
I'll update later friends.
Until then take care.




4 comments:

  1. Stroganoff is a family favorite and you are correct it is easy to do this ahead of time!

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    Replies
    1. Oh wow Ginger Dawn I know you must have the most fabulous recipe!

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  2. Darn it all! Just lost my whole comment! Me & New Computer are NOT BFFs yet!
    Anyway- Beef stroganoff sure sounds good about now. I just did a bunch of beef pieces up last week but have used them all up now. I used some of them in a wrap (spinach/green onions/cheese-heated up in the microwave). Now I think I need to pick up a few more packages of the beef pieces. They were really good and so easy to do in the slow cooker.
    Hope you have a great week- xo Diana

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    Replies
    1. Oh wow a new computer! I know this one will die any day now and I feel for you. Chuck has a new one and frankly I don't know a thing about it. I know you'll get the hang of yours in no time flat!
      Your wraps sound so blame good! You make me hungry!
      Love ya girl hope your week is great!

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