Thursday, February 22, 2007

Soup or stew jeudi



French Beef Stew
Passport to Flavor Copyright 1993

1 ½ pounds stew beef, cut into 1-inch cubes
¼ cup all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 cans (14 ½ ounces each) stewed tomatoes I used one can of stewed tomatoes and one can of diced tomatoes with basil, oregano and garlic
1 can (14 ounces) beef broth
4 medium carrots, pared, cut into 1-inch chunks
2 medium potatoes, pared, cut into 1-inch chunks I kept the pieces big to avoid mushiness
¼ teaspoon thyme
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard (optional) I used this and wouldn't suggest leaving it out

Combine meat and flour in plastic bag; toss to coat evenly. In 6-quart saucepan, brown meat in oil. Season with salt and pepper, if desired. Add remaining ingredients, except mustard. Bring to boil; reduce heat. Cover and simmer 1 hour or until beef is tender. Blend in mustard. Garnish with chopped parsley and serve with warm crusty French bread, if desired.

6 to 8 servings.
_________________________________

This simple little stew was actually very good. I messed up a little and had to use one can of diced seasoned tomatoes but that probably only made it better. The husband even specifically commented that this was good stew. I thought the addition of the mustard was important - I wouldn't leave it out. I always make my stews the day before which makes them even better. This was definitely one of the best beef stew recipes I've tried. I loved that it was so easy to throw together.

This is my contribution to Cyndi's Soup of Stew Thursdays. She's had a rough couple of weeks, hopefully she'll be able to get to the round up this week.

Blast From The Past: Banana Cake VI from July 2006. I have some bananas and I've been thinking about that cake but I should probably look for something healthier. I think I've dipped enough bananas in chocolate. I've been on a chocolate dipping binge. Pretzels and graham crackers are my current favorites.

Question of the Day: Have you been eating a lot of any one particular food lately? Do you get on food 'kicks' or do you generally eat a variety of things?

3 comments:

Brilynn said...

I eat a variety and still get stuck on one thing... or one type of thing. Like ice cream. It's a problem. I'll want to make like 9 different flavours of ice cream, and then I eat all of them.

Heather said...

When I am trying to eat healthy, I do get on food kicks. Right now Apples and pb are my favorite. I end up a lot of times eating the same thing all week for breakfast or lunch because I make a weeks worth to keep me on track.
this week is Fiber One bars for breakfast and Italian burgers for lunch. YUMMY.

Anonymous said...

Mostly eat a variety...though I have found those salt caramels from Trader Joes that seem to be an obsession (one a night as a treat!)