Goulash

I first made this recipe because it was a dish my hubby liked and had grown up with.  I was searching for a goulash recipe but had never had this dish myself so I decided to do a Google search and found that Paula Deen had a recipe.  Well, I figured I couldn't go wrong with her recipe so I gave it a try and really liked it!  I've cut the recipe in half and adjusted an item or two for convenience.  Her original recipe calls for her special House Seasoning so I've made the substitution without having to make a batch of her House Seasoning.  This is an easy weeknight meal!  Serve with a side salad and your favorite bread for a meal your whole family will love!

Goulash

Adapted from :  Paula Deen's recipe - Bobby's Goulash

1 lb. ground beef

1 yellow onion, chopped (I used 1 cup of a frozen onion seasoning blend)

2 cloves of garlic, minced

1 1/2 c. water

1 15 oz. can tomato sauce

1 15 oz. can diced tomatoes

1 T. Italian seasoning

1 bay leaf

1 1/2 T. soy sauce

1/2 t. salt

1/2 t. pepper

1/2 t. garlic powder

1-1/2 c. elbow macaroni (I typically use only 1 c. but this time I added another 1/2 c. and it was fine!)

Brown ground beef over medium-high heat.  Drain.  Add onions and garlic and cook for about 5 minutes.  Add remaining ingredients (except macaroni).  Stir well and simmer for about 15-20 minutes.  Add elbow macaroni and simmer for 20-30 minutes.  Turn off heat, remove bay leaf and allow to mixture to sit for 10-20 minutes.

Crockpot Beef and Noodles

So lately I've been trying to search for some really delicious crockpot meals.  I only have a few that I make pretty regularly but would love to use my crockpot more often.  Dont' you just love it when the crockpot cooks supper??  Well, I DO!!  The trouble I seem to have is that so many of the recipes call for Cream of Mushroom soup- YUCK!   After lots of reading in cookbooks and online, I've found a few that I want to try over the coming weeks.  Here's the latest- CROCKPOT BEEF AND NOODLES.  I'll be honest - I've never made beef and noodles before but my hubby and I love chicken and noodles so I thought this would be a nice alternative.  Some of the recipes I found seemed rather bland and I wanted the beef to have some flavor.  After lots of searching and reviewing lots of recipes, here's what I came up with.  I think this dish turned out so delicious and I know I'll be making this again and again.  A recipe perfect for those cold winter days!  I hope you enjoy this one!!

 This is soooooo simple!!!!!  Have you ever used the crockpot liners???  They are fabulous!!!

 Place stew meat in crockpot and cover with 2 cans beef broth and 2 cups water.  I realize it looks like a lot of liquid.  Don't worry!!  You will need all that liquid later on to cook the noodles!!

 Add in minced garlic, onion powder, salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.  Cover and cook on HIGH for 4 hours or LOW for 8 hours.

 For the last 30-45 minutes of cooking, add in a 16 oz. pkg. of egg noodles. 

                                     
 Cook until noodles are tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed. 

 Serve immediately!

 Enjoy!!

Crockpot Beef and Noodles

2 lbs. stew meat

2 (14.5 oz.)cans beef broth

2 cups water

1 1/2 T. Italian seasoning

1 T. minced garlic

1/2 t. onion powder

1/2 t. salt

1/2 t. pepper

16 oz. pkg. egg noodles (goes in the crockpot the last 30-45 minutes)

Place stew meat in crockpot and cover with beef broth and water.  Add in Italian seasoning, garlic, onion powder, salt, and pepper.  Cook on HIGH for 4 hours or on LOW for 8 hours.  During last 30-45 minutes of cooking, add in egg noodles.

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Simple Sloppy Joes

This is one of those recipes that I tend to change from time to time.  This is how I made this dish for supper last night.  On occasion, I will even add a splash of Worcestershire for an extra kick or even spicy brown or honey mustard intead of the yellow mustard.  I've tried several different sloppy joe recipes over the last few years and just combined some of the ingredients that I liked while still keeping this a quick and simple recipe! 

 The one thing I love about this recipe is that I almost always have everything on hand!

 Saute' beef and onion seasoning blend together.

                                   

Drain beef mixture.

 In a measuring cup, mix together remaining ingredients.

 Add ketchup mixture to ground beef.

 Simmer for 10-15 minutes.

 Serve on hamburger buns or rolls.  I like sloppy joes on multi-grain sandwich thins!

Simple Sloppy Joes

1 lb. ground beef
1/4 cup frozen onion seasoning blend
1/4 t. garlic powder
1/4 t. salt
1/4 t. pepper
1/2 c. ketchup
1 T. mustard
1 T. brown sugar
1 1/2 t. vinegar

Saute beef and onion seasoning blend until meat is browned and onions are tender.  Reduce heat to a simmer.  Combine remaining ingredients in a small bowl and stir into meat mixture.  Simmer for 10-15 minutes.

Zucchini Casserole

Every summer, a friend of ours brings me a zucchini from their garden.  This year he brought me two!!  I always make this casserole!  I found this recipe on http://www.food.com/ and have only made minor changes.  You can find the original recipe here. Rather than chopping an onion, I prefer to use a frozen seasoning blend (onion, celery, red pepper, parsley).  I used a little less salt as well!

I only used four cups of the zucchini pictured (about 1/2 of this zucchini).  I will use the other half for another recipe.  You will also need 1/2 -3/4 c. of the seasoning blend (depending on your taste), 1/2 T. minced garlic, 1/2 cup sour cream ( I didn't quite have enough tonight), 1 can evaporated milk, 1/2 c. shredded cheese, 2 T. butter, 2 T. flour and salt.

Start by sauteing 4 cups diced zucchini, garlic and seasoning blend in 2 T. butter for about 5 minutes.  Remove from heat.

Add in 2 T. flour and about a 1/2 tsp. salt and stir well. 

Mix well.  Add in evaporated milk, sour cream, and shredded cheese and stir well.

Pour into prepared 1 1/2 quart casserole dish.  Bake at 350 degrees for 30-35 minutes.

Serve immediately!!!!!

The cheesy sauce in this recipe reminds me of scalloped potatoes.  Cheesy and delicious!!

Zucchini Casserole

4 cups zucchini, diced
1/2 c.- 3/4c. frozen seasoning blend (onions, celery, red pepper,  parsley)
1/2 T. minced garlic
2 T. butter
2 T. flour
1/2 tsp. salt
1 5 oz. can evaporated milk
1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 cup shredded cheese (you could certainly use more!!)

Saute zucchini, onion seasoning blend, and garlic in butter for about 5 minutes.  Remove from heat.  Add flour and salt and stir well.  Add  evaporated milk, sour cream, and shredded cheese and stir well.  Pour into prepared 1 1/2 quart casserole dish.  Bake at 375 degrees for 30-35 minutes.