The Glamorous Recipes of a Hausfrau

Old Fashioned Swiss Steak

2010-03-14T14:01:00.000-04:00

Old Fashioned Swiss Steak

1/4 cup plus 1 tbsp all purpose flour
1 tsp. salt
pepper
1/4 tsp. garlic salt
1 lb. boneless round steak (about 3/4 inch thick), cut into serving sized pieces
1 1/2 tbsp cooking oil
1/2 clove garlic, minced
1 cup chopped green pepper
1/2 cup chopped celery
1/2 cup chopped onion
1 15 oz can diced tomatoes, undrained
1 cup beef broth
1/2 tbsp soy sauce
1/8 cup cold water

In a large plastic bag, combine 1/4 c. flour, 1 tsp. salt, 1/2 tsp. pepper and garlic salt. Toss beef to coat. Heat oil and brown meat. Put browned meat in crock pot. Add garlic, green pepper, celery and onion. Then add tomatoes, broth, soy sauce and a bit more salt and pepper. Stir. Cover and cook on high for 3 to 4 hours. Combine water and remaining flour, stir into juices and stir constantly until thickened.

So, basically, brown the meat, dump everything else in and set it and forget it until the stuff is finished, then add the water/flour paste the last 10 minutes or so. It sounds much more complicated than it really is. I just winged it on the spices and the Evil Twin said it was perfect. In fact, he said it was better than my mother's - and that was his favorite dish she cooked for him.

Beef Tips and Noodles

2010-02-22T20:49:00.002-05:00

1/2 cup flour
1 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
4 lbs beef sirloin tips, cubed
1/2 cup chopped green onions
1/2 lb mushrooms, sliced
1 can (10.5 oz size) condensed beef broth
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
2 teaspoons tomato paste or ketchup
1/4 cup dry red wine or water
3 tablespoons flour
Buttered noodles

Combine the first three ingredients and toss with beef cubes to coat thoroughly. Place in crock pot and add green onions and mushrooms.

Combine beef broth, Worcestershire sauce and tomato paste or ketchup. Pour over beef and vegetables and stir well. Cover and cook on LOW setting for 7 to 12 hours. One hour before serving, turn to HIGH setting. Make a smooth paste of the red wine and 3 tablespoons flour; stir into crock pot, mixing well.

Serve with buttered noodles.

I left out the mushrooms because I don't like them. I used stew beef instead of beef tips (because I couldn't find them). I just marinated the stew beef in red wine in the fridge overnight to tenderize it - came out great. I also used hearty beef broth, because I couldn't find any that said "condensed". I set it on HIGH the entire time and it was ready in 5 hours.

Pepper Steak

2010-02-22T20:32:00.001-05:00

Pepper Steak
1 1/2 to 2 lbs. beef round steak
2 tbsp cooking oil
1/4 cup soy sauce
1 cup chopped onion
1 garlic clove, minced
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1/4 tsp. ground ginger
1 can (16 oz) tomatoes with liquid, cut up
2 large green peppers, cut into strips
1/2 cold water
1 tbsp cornstarch.

Cut beef into 3 in. x 1 in. strips, brown in oil in skillet. Transfer to slow cooker. Combine the next 7 ingredients, pour over beef. Cover and cook on low for 5 to 6 hours or until meat is tender. Add tomatoes and green pepper - cook on low for 1 hour longer. Combine the cold water and cornstarch to make a paste, stir into slow cooker and cook on high until thickened. Serve over noodles or rice.

This is a recipe handed down to me by my mom. I follow it to the letter.

Creamy Chicken and Veggies

2010-02-08T09:50:00.002-05:00

This is a very easy and versatile recipe - and it's a crock pot recipe, so that just makes it even easier!

Basically, choose your favorite veggies: in my case I used baby carrots, red new potatoes and some onion.

Then, decide on the kind of chicken you want to use: legs, wings, etc. I used boneless skinless chicken breast.

After that, choose a "cream of" soup. I picked cream of mushroom. Alternately, you could use the "Simmer Sauces" made for stir fry, but I couldn't find any of those.

You put in the veggies, layer the chicken on top (I had 4 pieces), then put the "cream of" soup on.

Optionally, you can add garlic or ginger. I threw in about a teaspoon of minced garlic and towards the end, I added salt, pepper and paprika (just sprinkled a bit over top).

Do not add water, the slow cooking will retain enough fluid.

Put the lid on and that's it! Cook for 3-4 hours on high or 6-8 on low.

Tuscan Chicken Simmer

2010-01-25T09:30:00.005-05:00

I found this one on the Kraft website, feeling in a rut over dinner ideas. It's simple, it's delicious, it's adaptable.

Ingredients:
4 small boneless skinless chicken breast halves (1 lb.)
4 oz. (1/2 of 8 oz. pkg) cream cheese, cubed
1/4 cup water
1/4 cup pesto
2 cups grape or cherry tomatoes
1 cup finely shredded Italian 5 cheese blend

Heat large nonstick skillet sprayed with cooking spray on medium-high heat. Add chicken; cover. Cook 5 to 7 minutes on each side or until done (165 degrees F). Remove chicken from skillet; cover to keep warm.

Add cream cheese, water, pesto and tomatoes to skillet. Cook, uncovered, on medium heat 2 min or until heated through, stirring occasionally.

Return chicken to skillet. Cook and stir 1 min. or until chicken is coated and heated through. Sprinkle with shredded cheese.

Serve with fettucine or your favorite pasta!

I didn't use the tomatoes, as I am not fond of hot tomatoes and I only used about 2 teaspoons of pesto - it can be an overwhelming flavor. The Evil Twin and I loved this, the kids: not so much. When I make it again (and I will), I plan to halve the cream cheese/pesto sauce and then serve the kids chicken with marinara sauce and cheese. All with fettucine, of course!

Slow Cooker Savory Pot Roast

2009-02-16T21:17:00.002-05:00

1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 pouch (2 oz.) dry onion soup
red potatoes (cubed)
carrots (I use the baby ones and just add a handful or two)
3 lb. boneless beef bottom round roast or chuck pot roast

Stir soup. onion soup mix, potatoes and carrots in crock pot. Add beef and turn to coat.

Cover and cook on low for 8 - 9 hours or high 4 - 5 hours.

Serve with rolls and a green salad. Nom, nom, nom.

Mild Mexican Appetizer

2008-12-17T09:47:00.000-05:00

2 lg (8 oz) bricks of cream cheese
Small jar of Ragu spaghetti sauce
jar of Picante Hot sauce
(Optional - small package of cooked shrimp)
1 small can of chopped black olives
1 large green pepper, chopped
1 bunch of green onions, chopped - include green tops (I used enough to make about a cup of onions)
1 pkg each (the 2 cup bags) of shredded monterey jack cheese and cheddar cheese.

Layer in a 9 x 11 baking dish. Let cream cheese soften before. Mix equal parts of Ragu and picante sauce (or to taste - I used about a cup of each) and layer ingredients in order listed. Serve with Tortilla chips, corn chips or snack crackers (I like the Tostitos).

I make mine w/o the shrimp simply because some people don't eat shellfish for religious reasons, have allergies or high cholesterol. It is good WITH the shrimp, but I find it's easier (and less expensive to make) without them and still good.

Strawberry Dessert Cake*

2008-11-25T21:17:00.002-05:00

1 and 1/2 Angel Food cakes
2 small boxes frozen strawberries
1 large pkg strawberry jello
1 large container CoolWhip
Fresh strawberries for garnish

In a 9x13 dish, break cakes into small pieces. Drained thawed strawberries, saving the juice. Make the jello with 2 cups hot water and use strawberry juice as cold water. (if not enough, add cold tap water). Put strawberries in jello mix. Pour over cake. Refrigerate and let gel overnight. After cake is set, put CoolWhip on top and garnish with fresh strawberries.

* This recipe, I believe was from a Weight Watcher's booklet, so it called for light frozen strawberries and CoolWhip and sugar free strawberry jello. I've always made it with the regular stuff, but if you want to slice off some calories/sugar content - I'm sure it'd be just as good. And it IS tasty!!

Cream Pound Cake

2008-11-14T11:04:00.002-05:00

With the holidays approaching, I thought I would throw this one out if anyone likes pound cake (and who doesn't?)

I've made this several times with super results each time.

I found this recipe in a Country Cooking Recipe Collection of Prize Winning Desserts.

Cream Pound Cake
6 eggs
2 & 3/4 cups sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 cups all purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 pint whipping cream

In a mixing bowl, beat eggs at high speed for 5 minutes or until pale yellow. Gradually beat in sugar and vanilla, mixing until sugar is dissolved. Combine flour, baking powder and salt; add to batter alternately with cream. Pour into a greased 10 in. tube pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 60 to 70 minutes or until cake tests done. Cool in pan 15 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely. Yield: 12 - 16 servings.

Easy Beef and Broccoli

2008-07-30T22:33:00.003-04:00

2 cups instant white rice, uncooked
1 tbsp. oil
1 lb. beef stir-fry strips
2 cups frozen broccoli florets
1/4 cup hoisin sauce
1/4 Catalina dressing
1 tbsp. grated gingerroot

Cook rice as directed on package. Meanwhile, heat oil in large non-stick skillet on medium-high heat. Add meat; cook 3 min. or until evenly browned, stirring frequently.

Add broccoli, hoisin sauce, dressing and gingerroot; stir. Cover. Cook 5 min. or until heated through.

Serve over the rice.

I found this one on the Kraft website when I was just desperate for new ideas. This is a big hit with the whole family. Tip 1: after browning the meat, I drain the leftover oil/fluid. Tip 2: I use top round steaks and just cut them into strips myself. Tip 3: double the hoisin sauce if you like a good bit of sauce. Tip 4: I use garlic instead of the ginger and it's turned out great every time. Oh, and I also use the regular white (long cook) rice because I don't mind spending the extra time prepping it.

BONUS TIP: Add snow peas, onion, water chestnuts, etc. to the whole thing. I throw the onions in to the beef strips to cook together, then add the rest towards the end! A real family pleaser here!

Apple Crisp

2008-07-30T22:16:00.003-04:00

Peel and thinly slice 10 cups of apples (about 10 med-large size)
Add 2/3 cup sugar
Add 1 tsp cinnamon
Stir the apples up so they are all evenly coated, then put in a 9 x 13 pan and spread evenly

In another bowl, combine 1/4 cup melted butter, 2 tbsp sugar, 1 tbsp cinnamon and 1 yellow cake mix. Mix together until crumbly and sprinkle evenly over the apples.

Bake for about 35 - 40 min. and serve warm.

This also heats up well for leftovers. I usually cut the recipe in half and make only an 8 x 8 dish because it is a lot unless you have a crowd to eat it. I also think the 2/3 cup sugar (if you make the recipe as stated) is too sweet... If you try this one, you'll have to experiment with the sweet factor to your liking.

Very yummy, though!

Veggie Pizza

2008-07-30T20:29:00.001-04:00

This is a good one for hors d'oeuvres at a party or just as a nice lunch in the summertime.

2 large cans of crescent rolls
1 8oz cream cheese, softened
1 8oz. sour cream
1 pkg Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing
Shredded Cheese
Veggies (broccoli, carrots, cauliflower, tomatoes, black olives or other toppings of your choice - I like using the little shredded or matchstick carrots).

Spread crescent rolls on cookie sheet and press seams together. Bake per directions on the can. Let cool. Mix cream cheese, sour cream and dressing in a bowl. Spread mixture onto crescent rolls. Chop veggies and spread onto rolls. Sprinkle with cheese. Refrigerate for 1/2 hour. Cut & serve.

Paprika Chicken with Sour Cream Gravy

2008-04-11T21:36:00.003-04:00

1/2 cup all purpose flour
2 tsp. paprika
1 tsp. each salt, ground pepper, garlic powder, cayenne pepper
4 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves
1/4 cup butter or margarine
1 can cream of chicken soup (or 98% fat free cream of chicken soup)
1/4 cup sliced green onions
1 carton (8oz.) sour cream

Mix flour and seasonings. Coat chicken.

Melt butter in skillet. Add chicken and cook until browned.

Add soup and onions. Cover and cook over low heat 10 minutes or until done. Stir in sour cream.

This recipe is very easy and my whole family loves it. However, I use cream of mushroom soup and only about half the can plus half of an 8 oz container of sour cream - AND, I do the soup/sour cream sauce on the side and just let people dip the chicken in it themselves. I also often omit the green onions because I almost never use a whole pack before they go bad. It's good either way.

Another easy prep tip is to put the flour and seasonings in a large Ziploc type bag and add the chicken, shake around, then place in skillet to brown. Throw the baggie with any leftover coating away and voila! Easy clean up too!

Blonde Brownies

2008-04-11T21:33:00.002-04:00

I got this recipe from my mom and it was always one of my favorites. I make it from time to time for myself, too.

In large bowl, cream 2/3 c. margarine (or butter), 2 3/4 cups brown sugar (one box), and 3 eggs.

Add: 2 3/4 cups self-rising flour and mix well.

Add one cup chopped nuts, 1 tsp. vanilla and one small package chocolate chips. Pour into greased and floured pan. Bake at 325 degrees for 30 minutes or until done.

My Dad's Vegetable Soup

2008-03-23T14:10:00.004-04:00

This one is so easy - my dad used to make this several times a year and we loved it. Now, The Evil Twin makes it (from Dad's handwritten recipe). I don't have measurements on this one, per se. It's a recipe where you just add as much or as little of what you want and let it cook. Nothin' to it.

1 or 2 large cans V8 or Tomato Juice - depending on how tomato-ey you want
Carrots (sliced)
Onion (diced)
Potatoes (cubed)
Canned corn
Canned tomatoes
Salt
Pepper
Water

Add all ingredients in a large pot. Add water until there is enough liquid for your liking. You can also add celery, peas, green beans, zucchini, (almost any veggie) and/or macaroni pasta if you like that - I think the noodles tend to get a little water logged when it comes to leftovers, but use your judgment.

Heat to boiling, turn down to simmer. Let cook for 2 or more hours on stove top until all veggies are tender.

That's it.

Beef and Macaroni Casserole

2008-02-20T21:29:00.002-05:00

1 lb ground beef
1/4 cup onions, minced
7 oz. macaroni noodles
1 can diced tomatoes (I like to drain them)
1/4 cup ketchup
Cheddar Cheese (how ever much you like)

Brown ground beef and onions together in a skillet. Boil macaroni according to pkg directions (I just wing it and boil for about 10 mins). Add all ingredients together, but save some cheese. Put into casserole dish and layer cheese on top. Bake at 350 for about 20 minutes.

This makes GREAT leftovers. You may want to add salt and pepper before baking, but I like to add it per serving - everyone here likes it differently.

Slow Cooker Italian Sausage Subs

2008-02-09T19:24:00.000-05:00

Got this one off the Bob Evans recipe site and tried it today. Thumbs up by the grown ups in the household, not so much with Buddy and of course, Sissy is way too little for Italian Sausage.

1 package (19 oz.) Italian Sausage
1 red pepper, sliced
1 green pepper, sliced
1 onion, sliced
1 26 oz. jar of tomato pasta sauce
5 sub buns
provolone cheese

Cook sausage in skillet until brown. Place in crockpot. Add peppers and onion. Top with sauce. Cover and cook on low for 4 to 6 hours.

These were good after 4 hours - another tip - buy sturdy buns and put the cheese on the bottom bun before putting sausage link and sauce over that. That way the bottom bun doesn't get too bogged down with sauce and start to fall apart.

Texas Caviar

2008-02-07T16:37:00.000-05:00

This one's from Buzzardbilly. I haven't tried it yet, but it sounds great!

2 cans shoepeg white corn
2 cans kidney beans
1 can garbanzo beans (chick peas)
1 can black-eyed peas
1 can black beans
2 cans Ro-Tel Mexican Fiesta tomatoes
1 bunch green onions
1 bottle Paul Newman's Olive Oil and Vineger Dressing.
2 bags of Fritos Scoops

Drain and rinse all of the beans and the corn. (Don't drain all, then rinse because it will clog your sink somewhat. Drain a can; rinse a can.) Put them in a huge bowl (because it makes a lot). Chop the green onions and throw them on top. Add the tomatoes and Paul Newman's dressing. Stir and use the scoops to eat. I think it tastes better after sitting in the fridge a while, but we've been known to start feasting as soon as the stirring's done.

Evil Twin's Wife's Famous Meatballs

2008-02-05T20:17:00.003-05:00

Meatballs
1 lb lean ground beef
(or ½ lb lean ground beef and ½ lb Italian sausage - I like just the ground beef)
1 egg
¼ cup minced onion
¼ cup parmesan
2 cloves minced garlic
4 tsp. parsley
¼ tsp. salt
¼ tsp. pepper
¼ cup dry bread crumbs
3 slices white bread tossed with 2 tbsp. water (I don’t use this, makes it kinda bready).

I like to sprinkle a little oregano in the bowl too, just do it to suit your taste if you opt for it.

Combine and form into balls. Bake at 375 for 20 minutes.

This recipe will make about 20 to 25 meatballs depending on their size. I do mine about an inch around, maybe a little smaller. Be careful pulling them off the foil or they'll lose the bottom part.

I also double or triple this recipe and freeze the leftovers for easy spaghetti meals later in the month.

Chicken in a Garden

2008-02-05T20:14:00.000-05:00

Chicken in a Garden
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Tomato
Onion
Potatoes
Carrots or baby carrots
Worcestershire sauce
Paprika

Tear off one good sized square of foil for each piece of chicken. Place each piece in middle of each foil square.

Put a slice of tomato and a slice of onion on top of each. Lay cubed potatoes and baby carrots (or bigger carrots, cut in about one inch pieces) around chicken.

Fold up sides of foil to form a pouch. Pour Worcestershire Sauce liberally into packet. Sprinkle with paprika.

Close up packet and place in oven. 375 for about 40 minutes or so (make sure veggies are tender).

I’ve only used this recipe, but I bet it would be good using other veggies as well (broccoli, zucchini, etc.).

Easy Stuffed Green Peppers

2008-02-05T20:07:00.001-05:00

1 pound lean ground beef
1 package of spanish rice (Uncle Ben's) or a box (but you'll have to prepare it according to pkg directions
1 can of tomato sauce
4 medium to large green peppers
Shredded cheddar cheese

Cut tops off green peppers and discard tops. Put deseeded peppers in large pot of boiling water. Let them blanche for at least 10 minutes (this will soften them up and cut the baking time down).

Brown ground beef, drain, add spanish rice to beef - sprinkle a little cheese in there if you're so inclined (I do).

Pour the tomato sauce in the bottom of a 8x8 baking dish and put blanched peppers on top of that. Spoon beef/rice/cheese mixture into each shell. Sprinkle with more cheese and bake in oven about 350 for 20 minutes or so.

These make GREAT leftovers, so feel free to double the recipe and freeze a few for later lunches.

Crock Pot Chicken Tortillas

2008-02-05T10:43:00.000-05:00

Crockpot Chicken Tortillas
4 (or how many ever) boneless, skinless, chicken breasts
1 jar/can of picante or salsa (whatever heat you like)
1 pkg of dry taco seasoning

Put chicken in crock pot. Add taco seasoning to salsa and pour over chicken. Set to high and cook for 8 hours. Shred and use in tortillas, enchiladas, etc. It's good with tomato, lettuce, frijoles, sour cream, cheese, black beans, black olives, etc. Dress to fit your tastes. Yummy.