Sweet-Sour Stew
Better Homes and Gardens Casserole Cook Book Copyright 1968
¼ cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
Dash pepper
2 pounds beef stew meat, cubed
¼ cup shortening
1 cup water
½ cup catsup
¼ cup brown sugar
¼ cup vinegar
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 cup chopped onion
6 large carrots, cut into ¾-inch pieces
Combine flour, 1 teaspoon salt, and pepper in a plastic or paper bag. Add meat; shake to coat.
In large skillet brown meat well in hot shortening. Combine water, catsup, brown sugar, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, and 1 teaspoon salt. Stir into browned meat; add onion. Cover and cook over low heat for 45 minutes stirring once or twice. Add carrots; cook 45 minutes more or till meat and carrots are tender.
Makes 6 to 8 servings.
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This was one of the best stews I've ever had. It suited me perfectly. I love the combination of sweet and sour and this had the perfect balance for me. Carrots are my favorite stew vegetable so I was perfectly happy having them be the star vegetable here.
I think it was a hit because there were no leftovers! Well, there was some gravy which I saved. It was too good to throw away.
There were plenty of mashed potatoes leftover. They were instant, a cheese variety. I don't think it comes through in the picture but they were the oddest shade of orange, or peach maybe. I wish I could find a good instant potato. They are cheap,easy to keep on hand and fast to make. I found the best ones in Costco but they stopped carrying that brand. I think that brand ruined me for instant potatoes since I never used to mind the supermarket brands that much but now they all stink.
I'm still thinking about the stove. I think it will come down to how I feel when the element finally goes out again but I'm leaning towards a new stove right now. I'd love to have one before Christmas so I could do my Christmas baking in a brand new oven. Honestly, with the limitations I have (I can't spend too much, it has to be electric, it has to be 30-inches), I'm not that excited about getting a new range. Anything that would really excite me is just not feasible.
Question of the Day: How's your weather? It's mid-October and we're already hearing the s-word in the forecast (hopefully only in the mountains).
It's definitely stew weather here... I think the HIGH is supposed to be 45 and it's rainy. We're in New England. Just a couple of weeks ago we had the a/c on at night because it was unbearable HOT!
ReplyDeleteThis stew looks awesome, will definitely make it. I miss the Costco potatoes too, I know exactly the ones you mean, they came in an envelope. I don't hate instant potatoes but I feel like I never get them quite right.
what was the awesome brand of instant potatoes????
ReplyDeleteha, I live in AZ and it took me a minute to figure out what the s-word is. we are supposed to be 100 degrees on Saturday.
I don't remember the exact brand but they were all natural, maybe even organic, baby reds. They have Idahoan brand baby reds now but they aren't the same ones.
ReplyDeletecold, wet and dreary. I need sun!
ReplyDeleteI live in South FL, and it's HOT. We have a cold front coming in the weekend (possible in the 60s :)) and this stew looks good. I'm not sure if you know, but there is a "cash for clunckers" rebate program comming available soon. I don't know anything about it, and not sure if stoves are included, but maybe worth a look into it?
ReplyDeletee
If you want good mashed potatoes with very little effort...
ReplyDeleteTry the new Ore-Ida Ready to Serve kind. They come frozen in a bag. You can either microwave or boil the bag, do a teeny little bit of mashing, and they are ready to go!
I've been making this same stew for yours - we eat it over rice... Love it!
ReplyDeleteIt is cold here -- 20's in October just isn't right
Love your sight - keep cooking!
Our weather has been overcast, drizzly and in the upper 40s for days now. But it's supposed to be sunny and in the 60s this weekend. :)
ReplyDeleteStew is on my menu for later this weekend! I'll take a closer look at the recipe here.
I rarely use instant potatoes. I do make large batches of mashed potatoes and freeze them, though. I put a little plastic wrap right on top of them in the freezer container so they don't form crystals. I just reheat in the microwave. If they look a little watery at first, I just stir them well and thicken right up. So convenient!