My kids win.

So my kids have a favorite dinner that is made by their grandmother.  I had never had this or even heard of this before being with their father.  So my ex in laws are from New York, the Bronx to be exact so one assumes when they say they are making spaghetti, it is going to be great sauce with meats and peppers and all the trimmings.  Now don't get me wrong my mother in laws Italian spaghetti is probably my favorite of all time, anywhere, so when she says she is making American spaghetti, I'm intrigued.  So this is now my kids favorite and actually it's everyone's favorite except my late father in laws.  My mother in law would have to make him something separate for dinner when she made this.  So, to make a long story short, I am making American spaghetti this weekend for my kids and I have to tell you it is very time consuming, and here it is........

AMERICAN SPAGHETTI:

2 Large cans whole peeled tomatoes
2 bricks New York Sharp Cheddar Cheese
1 box thin spaghetti

In a blender, blend the whole peeled tomatoes until smooth
put tomato sauce in large saucepan
cut cheese into small pieces and add to tomato sauce
stir while cheese melts
cook spaghetti and drain
once cheese is melted serve over noodles

And there you have it, it sounds odd but it's very good and pretty rich.

You got the wrong meat!

So when you ask someone else to go to the store and they decide to go rogue on what they are supposed to get it can be frustrating.  So when said person came home with a gigantic family sized round steak thinking it an equivalent to sirloin, ribeye, etc. something you can throw on the grill and call it a steak dinner, the let down is palpable.  This may or may not have happened to me lately which caused much research as to what could be done with this meat.  When I first learned how to make Chicken Fried Steak from my grandmother she used round steak which she pounded to tenderize, my mother on the other hand uses ground cube steak which is what I have come to prefer.  SO! I knew I would be making something different. So here are a few options I found, in case this has or might ever happen to you......

BEEF STROGANOFF

2 lbs. boneless round steak cut 1/2 inch thick slices
1/2 c. butter
1/4 to 1/2 c. sliced onions
5 tbsp. flour
1 1/4.c beef broth (10 1/2 oz. can)
1 tsp. Dijon mustard
1 (6 oz.) can mushrooms (drained)
1/3 to 1/2 c. sour cream or yogurt
1/3 to 1 c. wine, red or white (optional)
Egg noodles

Cut meat into 1/2 inch cubes or strips. In dutch oven or large skillet melt butter, add meat and saute until brown. Push meat aside and add onions. Cook until transparent. Push onions aside and add flour. Cook until bubbly. Add beef broth and bring to boil. Turn heat down, add mustard. Cover pan and simmer (low heat) for 1 hour or until tender. 15 minutes or less before serving add mushrooms, sour cream and wine. Serve over egg noodles.

HERE IS THE NEXT ONE I WILL TRY WHEN THE WRONG STEAK REARS ITS HEAD AGAIN, AS I KNOW IT WILL...... :)

Round steak sauerbraten is made with round steak, onion, brown gravy mix, vinegar, ginger, and other ingredients.

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 pounds round steak, about 1/2-inch thick
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1/2 cup chopped onion
• 1 envelope brown gravy mix (approx. 1 ounce)
• 1 1/2 cups water
• 2 tablespoons white or red wine vinegar
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 small bay leaf
• Hot buttered noodles, optional

Preparation:

Cut beef into thin strips. In a large skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Add beef strips and brown quickly; add chopped onion and cook until tender. Remove beef and onion from skillet; add gravy mix and water. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Stir in vinegar, brown sugar, salt, pepper, ginger, Worcestershire sauce, and bay leaf. Return the meat and onion to the skillet; cover and simmer for 1 to 1 1/2 hours, stirring occasionally. Serve with hot buttered noodles.
Serves 4 to 6.

What am I doing!?!

Ok, well here goes.  If there was one thing I never thought I would be, it would be a "blogger".  However I hav found several blogs I enjoy lately and have gotten positive feed back on them when I've shared them with friends.  However, the fact is I love to cook.  This passion has come and gone over the years however recently I have become a little obsessed.  My life is hectic during the fall with football so my goal is to find meals which are quick and somewhat healthy for practice nights and things which are a little more gourmet yet easy enough for anyone to make.  I enjoy making new things and empressing friends and family, I hope you will too.  I am going to try to post pics along with whatever food I am working with. So, bear with me, I am a busy gal however will try to post regularly.