Cowboy Steak and Bean Stew

Oh my heavens!!! Two posts in one day!  I had a heavenly day off today and have been able to cook up a small storm in the Worley House.  We started with Bomb Diggity Donuts, some yummy blueberry pancakes and now we are making some amazing stew for dinner.  Creative juices flowing I was too excited not to share.  I dedicate this post to a dear friend out in Sodak whose heart is on the mountains and prairies of Montana.  Kelly Girl, this one's for you!  One of these days we are going to make this and share a beer or two...or three...or you know, LOL!

Cowboy Steak and Bean Stew

3lbs steak of choice cubed
2 bell pepper chopped
1 large onion chopped
1 29oz can chili beans (heat of choice, I used mild)
2 14 oz cans kidney beans (drained and rinsed)
1 12oz can pinto beans (drained and rinsed)
1 12 oz can diced tomatoes (no seasoning)
1 30oz can tomato sauce
1 12oz jar Heinz Au Jus Beef Gravy
1/4 cup Chili Garlic paste (I get this in the Asian food aisle)
2 Tbsp garlic powder
2 Tbsp Ancho Chili powder
2 Tbsp Chili Con Carne powder
2 Tbsp Worcestershire Sauce
salt and pepper to taste
oil for cooking

Heat pot to medium heat, coat bottom of pot with vegetable oil.  Heat for about 5 minutes and add spices to the oil including chili garlic paste.  Stir around to warm the spices then add the meat.  Brown meat for about 10 minutes.  Once the meat is browned, add green peppers and onions and cook with meat until softened.  Add the rest of the ingredients and let simmer for an hour or longer until the meat is tender.  Taste before serving and adjust seasoning as needed.  Serve with biscuits or cornbread. 

ENJOY!

Easy Cheesy Mac and Cheese

As we move from the winter months and head for Spring I am anxious for my menu to start changing over to grilled foods.  Me being impatient, imagine that for those who know me, decided it was time to hit the grill over the weekend.  I bought some wonderful Italian Sausages and my husband was completely ready for picnic type food.  Well then, the wind picked up, the sky turned gray, it got colder than it had been and the snow started falling and blowing.  Ughhhhhh! Since I have had my trials and tribulations with being sick the majority of the winter and now am on the upswing, I decided to cook indoors.  Well I decided I still wanted a picnic, even if it was to be done indoors.  And nothing screams picnic or winter comfort food like a good, creamy, steamy hot, macaroni and cheese!  Well to the fridge I went, and of course, I was short on my usual ingredients for my regular baked mac and cheese.  So improvise it was and OMGoodnessssss did it come out good!  This is perfect for someone that doesn't cook on a regular basis or if you just need that quick and easy dish for a last minute dinner or potluck.

Quick and Easy Cheesy Macaroni and Cheese

1/4 cup butter
4oz softened cream cheese (I used Light Philadelphia Cream Cheese)
1 can evaporated milk
2 10oz cans Campbells Cheddar Cheese Soup
Salt and Pepper to taste
8-10oz macaroni noodles (cook to package instructions and drain)

Cook your macaroni and set aside.  On stove in a pot on medium heat, melt butter and cream cheese together.  Add evaporated milk and stir together then add soup.  Mix until creamy, will thicken on its own then add noodles and seasoning.  Serve hot!

**If you want it cheesier, you can add another can or add some shredded cheddar cheese.  A nice twist would be some diced ham and scallions.

ENJOY!

Baked Bacon Mushroom Cheese Burgers

Hi everyone!  Well I am back after a little winter hiatus.  Seems like our family has been through every sickness that you can possibly get exposed too over the holidays and last month.  But this definitely gave me the time to come up with some quick and easy recipes to share with all of you.  As we all know when your household gets sick or you are the one that gets sick, time is not necessarily on your side when it comes to preparing meals for the rest of your family that is still healthy.

So everyone, keep washing those hands and cover your mouth when you cough! We can survive the cold and flu season together!

Baked Bacon Mushroom Cheese Burgers

8 pre-made Angus or 90/10 ground sirloin beef patties
2 10oz Cans of Campbell's Cheddar Soup
8 strips of bacon cut in half
1-2 8oz cans mushrooms drained (we like a lot of mushrooms so I use 2 cans)
salt/pepper/garlic powder for seasoning to taste
**optional fried onions that you normally use on green bean casserole.

Preheat your oven to 425 degrees.  I have a large cast iron paella pan that is big enough that I can brown and then put in the oven.  If you have to do this in two steps, season your patties then brown on top of the stove then add to your baking pan.  Once in your baking pan layer your burgers starting with the cheddar soup, then mushrooms, then criss cross your bacon on top.  If using the fried onion, that is the topping put on last.  Place in the oven and cook for 30-45mins.  These are absolutely wonderful!  My husband and son ate them up!

ENJOY!