Cowboy's Delight

Today was a rainy, Valentine's day and I thought something warm and hearty sounded good for dinner.  I knew the kids would come home from school with sugar highs and want some good food.

So I pulled out the trusty crock pot and got to work preparing something yummy.  

When I was a child in elementary school, one of my favorite school lunches was 'Cowboy's Delight'.  It's basically a delicious version of goulash.  This was back when the cooks actually prepared our meals from scratch and served them hot and fresh.  I don't think most schools do that anymore.  Anyway, today I made it by accident while experimenting.  When I took that first bite, the memories came flooding back.  I never want to forget this recipe!

So here it is:

Ingredients

1 lb. ground beef, browned

1 14.5 oz. can beef broth

1 28 oz. can crushed tomatoes

1 8 oz. can tomato sauce

1 Tbsp. dried chopped onion

2 tsp. garlic (crushed, chopped or minced)

1 tsp. basil

1 tsp. parsley

salt & pepper

12 oz. package of macaroni

1/2 - 1  cup water

 

 

Put everything except the macaroni and water in the crock pot.  Cook on low for 6 hours or on high for 4 hours.  30 minutes prior to serving, stir in the uncooked macaroni and water and let cook through.  If you want a more soupy consistency, you can add more broth or tomato juice when you add the macaroni.  Serve with breadsticks found here if you'd like.

 

 

 

Enjoy!



Crock Pot Beef Stew

It has been snowing for days!!  It's been cold and wet and all I've wanted to cook is comfort foods.  Needless to say, I am loving my crock pot this week! ☺

 

Today it's beef stew!

 

Ingredients

 

carrots

celery

potatoes

1 onion (optional)

1-1 1/2 lbs. stew meat

1 can of cream of mushroom soup

1 can of tomato soup

1 envelope of dry onion soup mix

 

 



 

Spray the inside of the crock pot with a non-stick cooking spray.

 

Cut the vegetables into bite size pieces and layer at least one cup of each in the crock pot.  I almost always put an onion in my stew, but this recipe has onion soup mix already so it's your choice.

 

 

 

In a skillet, brown the sides of the stew meat in butter or oil.  I sprinkle about a tablespoon of flour over the meat while it's browning.  Once the sides are brown (the center should still be pink), place the meat over the vegetables in the crock pot.

 

 

 

In a separate bowl, combine the soups and soup mix and stir well.  Pour over the meat and spread it around.

 

 

 

Cover and cook for 6-8 hours on low.  It smells delicious!

 

 

Stir and serve with crackers or bread. 

 

 

Enjoy!