Beat the Clock Beef Barley

Soup...Stew...Stouwp?  I literally had 15 minutes before I had to leave for work this morning, when I remembered the package of stew beef in the fridge that I needed to use. Not to mention, I needed something for dinner after a day of working and then running to appointments when the work day is over.

A 60 second check of the pantry and freezer indicated I had everything I needed. Disclaimer--this is not a wholesome from scratch recipe but it will give the appearance and taste of one. 

Spritz the crockpot with some cooking oil. Toss the stew beef and dry gravy packet together and pour into the crockpot.

Add to this:

1/2 cup of barley rinsed

12 ounces frozen mixed vegetables

1 cup frozen diced potatoes

1 cup of frozen mirepoix

8 ounces of  canned tomato sauce

2-15 ounce cans low sodium beef broth

 2 tablespoons of worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon dried parsley

1/2 teaspoon of onion powder

1/4 teaspoon of paprika
1/8 teaspoon of garlic powder

pinch of salt and several dashes of pepper (I prefer to add more salt and pepper to taste upon completion of cooking)

Give it a good stir or 2. Cover and cook on low for 8-10 hours.

The final result is a thick, rich and hearty soup/stew/ stouwp.  Very flavorful and rich--with beef so tender it falls apart.

I served it with some take and bake french bread -slathered in butter of course-- and a big ol' glass of moo juice. Not too shabby for less than 15 minutes of pep time, eh?

What are y'all cooking?

Crockpot Smothered Cube Steaks

Not exactly  the most health conscious or diet friendly but oh so delicious when you just gotta have comfort food!

Here's what you need

Ingredients and supplies
4-6 cube steaks
3/4 cup AP flour
1 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1/8 tsp dry mustard powder
1/8 tsp paprika
1/8 tsp ground red pepper
meat tenderizer
ground black pepper
10 ounces of water
1pkg of brown, mushroom or onion gravy mix (I used brown)
1 can cream of onion soup
large plastic bag
plastic wrap
bowl
whisk
meat mallet
crock pot ( I used a crock pot liner also)
small amount of vegetable or canola oil
electric skillet (or frying pan and burner)
spatula or tongs

Lightly sprinkle the cube steaks with the meat tenderizer. Add all the spices and flour to a large plastic bag. Shake to mix well. Dredge the cube steaks one at a time in flour mixture, gently shake to remove excess flour. Place the cube steak between a folded piece of plastic wrap and GENTLY  use the flat side of the meat mallet to pound the flour mixture into the cube steak. I can not stress the gently aspect enough. You don't want to obliterate the meat. It will be tender enough when it is finished cooking.

Repeat the flour dredge  one more time, shaking off the excess and let set to finish the other pieces of cube steak.

Once all the pieces have been dredged, add a small amount of oil to the electric skillet, heat to 400°F  (or below the smoke point of the oil you are using). Add the cube steak to hot oil to quick sear each side. No more than minute on each side. You just want to brown the meat, not cook it--the crock pot will take care of the rest. Preheat crock pot--I set mine to low and put a teaspoon of water in the bottom and cover until I am ready to add stuff.

While the meat is browning, combine the water and gravy mix. Whisk until smooth. Add the cream of onion soup. Mix well. Pour half into the crock pot. Place the browned cube steaks in the crock pot and sprinkle in black pepper.

When you are finished adding all of the cube steaks pour in the remaining gravy/ soup sauce.

Mmmm...you can see the minced onion from the soup

Cover and let cook undisturbed for 2 hours. Flip the cube steaks and spoon sauce over as needed. Recover and let cook another 2 hours. By now the sauce has thickened and started to brown. The steaks will be fork tender.

Now, I admit this isn't the most photogenic meal, but it is damn good! This cooking technique works well for all sorts of cheap and tough cuts of meat. Thicker cuts of meat will require adjusted cooking times. I don't know about you but cooking in the crock pot is one of my favorite cooking methods for busy days. Nothing like fix it and forget it!