Kerala Style Beef Stew

Once you’ve added the coconut milk, be sure not to boil it too long or else the milk may curdle. You can substitute yogurt or plain milk for the coconut milk for health reasons.  Thank you to Chacko’s Kitchen for submitting this recipe.

Kerala Style Beef Stew
 
Author: 
Recipe type: Soups
Cuisine: Indian
Prep time: 
Cook time: 
Total time: 
Ingredients
  • 2 lbs beef
  • 1 carrot
  • 1 potato
  • 4 tomatoes
  • 1-1/2 c. shallots
  • 1 tsp turmeric
  • 2 c. coconut milk
  • 4-5 curry leaves
  • 1 tsp pepper
  • 2-1/2 tbsp cooking oil
  • 2-4 green chilies
  • 4 cloves
  • 1-1/2" cinnamon stick
  • 6 green cardamom
  • 1 star anise
  • salt to taste
Instructions
  1. Clean & cut the beef into 1″ cubes. Drain.
  2. Peel & finely slice the shallots.
  3. Finely slice the tomatoes & store separately.
  4. Peel, wash, & cut the potato & carrot into 1″ cubes.
  5. Heat 2 tbsp cooking oil in a non-stick pan. Add the Garam Masala ingredients (cloves, cinnamon, cardamom, & star anise) & saute for 1 minute.
  6. Add shallots (reserving about 1 tbsp) & saute until translucent, taking about 5 minutes.
  7. Add the drained, cubed beef, potato, & carrot along with the turmeric, salt, & pepper. Saute until all sides are seared & lightly caramelized and browned.
  8. Add the tomatoes, green chilies, & ½ the coconut milk. Transfer to a pressure cooker & cook on high heat until 1 whistle, reducing to a medium flame. Continue to cook for 20 minutes & then 10 more minutes on low flame.
  9. In a separate non-stick pan, heat the remaining oil & saute the reserved shallots & curry leaves. Add the remainder of the coconut milk & bring to a boil on medium heat. Remove from heat.

 

Grandpa Gary’s Meatballs

meatballsGary Says: The meatballs may be stored, covered, in the refrigerator until you’re ready to finish cooking. You can also use this mixture to make hamburgers for grilling.

Grandpa Gary's Meatballs
 
Author: 
Recipe type: Entree
Cuisine: Italian
Prep time: 
Cook time: 
Total time: 
Ingredients
  • 2 lbs. ground beef (80/20 blend)
  • 1 lb. ground pork sausage
  • 2 eggs, gently beaten
  • ½ c. seasoned bread crumbs
  • ½ c. oatmeal (uncooked)
  • ½ c. Parmesan cheese, grated
  • 1 pkg. onion soup/dip mix
  • 4-8 cloves garlic, minced
  • ¼ c. fresh parsley
  • 1-2 tbsp butter
  • 2 tbsp Italian seasoning
  • cooking oil of choice
Instructions
  1. In a large bowl, combine ground beef with ground pork. Mix thoroughly together to combine. Be sure to wash your hands afterwards if you mix with your hands.
  2. Blend eggs, bread crumbs, oatmeal, Parmesan cheese, onion soup mix, garlic, parsley, & Italian seasoning. Using your hands, thoroughly mix these in with the meat.
  3. Take the mixture & form into balls. Set aside & cover with a towel.
  4. In a large skillet, heat the cooking oil of your choice & butter until the butter starts to foam. Place meatballs one at a time into the skillet & keep rolling around to brown on all sides evenly.
  5. Set aside the browned meatballs on a paper towel lined plate to drain. You can now add the meatballs to your sauce to finish cooking.

 

Chicken Cacciatore

Chicken Cacciatore
 
Author: 
Recipe type: Entree
Cuisine: Italian
Cook time: 
Total time: 
Ingredients
  • 3½ - 4 lb. chicken, cut up
  • ½ c. flour
  • ½ c. olive or cooking oil
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 2 medium onions, finely chopped
  • 1 can tomato paste
  • 1 green pepper, finely diced
  • 2 c. diced tomatoes
  • ¼ lb. mushrooms, sliced
  • 2 tsp salt
  • ¼ tsp pepper
  • ½ tsp oregano
Instructions
  1. Dredge pieces of chicken with flour. Heat oil in large skillet.
  2. Brown chicken on all sides in oil. Add remaining ingredients.
  3. Cover; simmer 1 hour or until tender.
  4. Serve with hot cooked spaghetti & grated Parmesan cheese.

Photo Courtesy of Peter Sejersen on Flickr

Pioneer Stew

Pioneer Stew
 
Author: 
Recipe type: Entree
Cook time: 
Total time: 
Ingredients
  • 2 lbs. beef or lamb stew meat
  • 4 tbsp oil or Crisco
  • ½ c. flour
  • 2 c. chicken or beef bouillon
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 2 carrots. cut in 2" pieces
  • 4 medium potatoes, quartered
  • 2 tbsp cider vinegar
  • ½ tsp thyme
  • 1 tsp salt
  • ¼ tsp black pepper
Instructions
  1. In a heavy saucepan with cover, melt Crisco (or heat oil). Dredge beef or lamb meat & brown in hot oil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat.
  2. Add onions & garlic. Cook for 5 minutes.
  3. Add bouillon, bay leaf, thyme, salt, & pepper. cover & simmer for 1½ hours. Add potatoes & carrots.
  4. Cover & simmer for 30 more minutes or until meat & vegetables are tender. Stir in vinegar. Add more salt & pepper as needed.

Photo Courtesy of Jules Morgan on Flickr

Fiesta Burritos

Submitted by Monica Fawver
Serves 8

Ingredients

4 tbsp oil 8 10″ flour tortillas
2 tbsp garlic 4 c. Cheddar cheese, shredded
3 c. cooked chicken, cubed 1½ c salsa, divided
1 can Campbell’s Cheddar Cheese soup 1 box Spanish rice, prepared
16 oz. black beans

Directions

  1. In a large frying pan, saute the garlic in the oil.  Add the chicken, 1 c. salsa, Spanish rice, & black beans.  Simmer for about 5 minutes or until filling is hot.  
  2. Warm tortillas in the microwave for 1 minute.  Roll ¾ c. filling and ½ c. cheese in each tortilla. 
  3. Place the burritos in a baking dish. Combine the cheddar cheese soup & ½ c. salsa. Pour over burritos. 
  4. Bake in 350°F oven for 20 – 30 minutes or until cheese is melted.

Chef’s Note: You can also use Monterey Jack cheese or a blend – either work great.