Rancher’s Beef Stew
My friend Jennifer who is a fantastic cook, sent me this recipe. I hope you try it and enjoy it.
For the Pot: Recipes from Brandywine River Museum
Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania Serves 6 to 8.
¼ C vegetable oil
1 large onion, chopped
2 lbs beef chuck, cubed
¼ C all-purpose flour
2 C tomato juice
2 t salt
½ t freshly ground pepper
2 bay leaves
½ t dried marjoram
¼ C chopped, fresh parsley
1 C water
4 medium potatoes, peeled and quartered
4 carrots, quartered lengthwise
½ C diced celery
½ lb sugar pea pods, trimmed (I often substitute frozen peas.)
In a large heavy skillet, heat the oil over moderate heat. Add the onion and saute’ until golden. Remove and set aside. (I use the Dutch oven I’m going to cook the stew in.)
Dredge the beef in the flour and brown on all sides.
Add the tomato juice, salt, pepper, bay leaves, marjoram, browned onions, parsley and water. Cover and cook over low heat for 1 hour, or until the meat is tender.
Add the potatoes, carrots, and celery. Cover and cook for 30 minutes more.
Add the pea pods and cook for 5 to 7 minutes, until the vegetables are tender.
Remove the bay leaves and serve.
Chocolate Gravy
2 Tablespoons cocoa
1 Tablespoon + 11/2 teaspoons all purpose flour
1/4 cut + 2 Tablespoons white sugar
1 cup milk
1 1/2 teaspoons softened butter
1 teaspoon vanilla
Whisk cocoa, flour and sugar together until there are no lumps. Pour the milk into the above mix and stir well.
Place all into a saucepan and cook over medium heat, stir frequently until the consistency of gravy (7-10 minutes) Remove from heat and stir in butter and vanilla, stirring until the butter is melted.
Makes enough for 6 servings
Serve immediately..... Fantastic over the baking powder biscuits recipe below.
No time for fancy fudge? Try this Quick and Easy Fudge
16 oz semi-sweet chocolate
1 14 oz can sweetened condensed milk
2 teaspoons vanilla
1 1/2 cups chopped walnuts
Line an 8 X 8 dish with aluminum foil
Chop chocolate into large pieces and place in a microwaveable bowl with the can of condensed milk.
Microwave on high setting and stir 1-2 times till chocolate is soft (about 2-3 minutes)
Remove from microwave and stir till smooth.
Spread into the prepared pan and place in the refrigerator for about 2 hours until firm.
Cut into squares.
Cooking Tip: No Condensed Milk, make your own
1 cup evaporated milk
1 1/4 cup sugar
put above into a saucepan and heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves and the mixture thickens some.
Let mixture cool.
You now have condensed milk!
Baking Powder Biscuits
2-2 1/2 cups flour
3 heaping teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/3-1/2 cup oil
1 1/2 cup milk (powdered is okay)
Sift flour, salt and baking powder into bowl
Add Oil and milk to make a fairly still mix. Add more flour to thicken if necessary.
In another bowl, put approximately 1/2 cup flour.
Using a large spoon, scoop out enough mixture to make a 2" round ball.
Drop into the flour and coat the dough.
Pat into 1/2" round patty and place on baking sheet.
Bake in preheated oven 325-350 degrees for 15-30 minutes until golden brown on top.
I love this recipe since I am not one who likes to take time rolling out dough and cutting the biscuits!
Quick and Easy Chicken Summer Salad
Take chicken breasts, bake or broil with lemon juice squeezed over the top, a dab of olive oil and garlic salt. When cooked and cool, cut into strips.
Lay chicken on top of a tossed salad containing various types of lettuce (regular head lettuce, romaine, bib, and spinach leaves) cut up pieces of tomatoes, celery, onion, carrots, cucumbers, bell peppers. Add cheese of your choice finely grated over the top of the salad. Add dressing of your choice and croutons if desired.
Serve as main course for dinner with either crackers or homemade bread or rolls and a glass of iced tea!
BAKED Tortilla Chips
You can also do this with tortillas: cut tortillas in pie slice pieces to your liking. Dip in equal parts of melted butter & olive oil. Bake for a few minutes on 425. You can also add seasoning to your taste before you put them in the oven...garlic, Greek seasoning, etc. They are gooooood! Grab the Salsa
Summer Breezes Smoothie
1 cup yogurt, plain nonfat
6 medium strawberries (frozen ok)
1 cup pineapple crushed, canned in juice
1 medium banana
1 tsp vanilla extract
4 ice cubes. (I use more than 4)
Place all ingredients in blender and puree until smooth
*** Serve in a frosted glass ***
Makes 3 servings
serving size 1 cup
calories 121
fat less than 1 g
sat less than 1 g
cholesterol 1 mg
sodium 64mg
