Beef Stroganoff

I'm always scouring the interwebz for recipes that will be appropriately low in fat, sodium and carbs for SuperDad's taste and my waistline.  One of my favorite comfort foods is beef stroganoff as my dad used to make a German version served over mashed potatoes.  I dearly wish I had the recipe for that.  But in my household stroganoff usually means made with turkey, no sour cream, no mushrooms, whole wheat noodles.  So...not really stroganoff at all.

Thankfully my father-in-law is in town so I can add all those no-nos back in and claim it's because he won't like it otherwise.  Since for once I can make stroganoff as it was intended to be, I'm cobbling together a recipe gleaned from many to make Ultimate Easy Beef Stroganoff. 

Ingredients:

1 lb ground beef

2 tbsp butter

1/2 medium onion, chopped

1 small can sliced mushrooms

2 cloves garlic

1 can cream of mushroom soup

1 packet brown gravy

1 cup water

2/3 cup sour cream

Directions:

Brown the beef in a large, high-sided skillet.  Drain and set aside on a separate plate

Melt butter in the skillet and add onions and mushrooms.  Sauté until onions are soft, about 4 mins.  Add garlic and sauté another 2 mins.  Add beef back to skillet and stir to combine.  

Add the cream of mushroom soup, gravy packet and water.  Stir vigorously (but don't make a mess) to make sure there aren't any lumps.  Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 15 mins or so.

Stir in the sour cream until it is fully incorporated.

Serve over hot egg noodles, rice or (my favorite) mashed potatoes.

This version is pretty close to what my dad used to make.  I have also heard you can use a cup of red wine instead of the water for a richer dish but I have not tried it.  Didn't want to experiment on the in-laws but next time I'm breaking out the bottle to give this version a shot.  Maybe I'll even put it over mashed potatoes!

Next time:  Enchiladas and my super shredded chicken short cut!

Toddlers to teenagers

Similar conversation with G-

Me: So what did you do in school today?

G: Nothing.

Me: Who did you see?

G: No one.

Me: Where are you going?  (As she wanders away from me)

G: Nowhere.

Last time I checked you were two, kid, not a tween.  Please God, don't ever be a tween.

4 going on 13

Having in depth conversations with H has never been more interesting...
 
N: H
(nothing)
N: H
(nothing)
N: Hhhhh?
(nothing)
N: H!
H: Huh?
N: I was calling you. 
H: Uhuh.
N: Are you listening to me?
H: (grunt)
N: Want to play a game?
H: Eh.
N: Do you want to have a snack?
H: Eh.
N: Do you want to have ice cream?
(Head flips quickly around) 
H:Ice cream?!?
N: Ah...now you hear me (insert smile.) I want to talk to you.
H: Did you say ice cream? 
N: Yes, but I want to talk to you.
H: Let's get the ice cream.
N: Let's have it after dinner. I want to talk with you.
H: No thanks, I'm busy.

(What!?!?!?!)
 When did my four year old turn into a teenager?

 
 N

  

Am I the only one that thinks this is crazy!?!

Okay, so I'm going to start of with stating that I am not, or have I ever claimed to be, a good driver. In fact, I have many a friend who volunteer to drive every time we go out just so they don't have to sit while I drive (think imaginary brake from start to finish.) I come to terms with my faults and am okay with that. However, I can't believe how crazy some of the drivers are here! Case in point- I'm driving home with H, who is happily playing Angry Birds on my phone (yes, I'm that mom) when I see the car, two cars ahead of me, with its hazard lights on.
(Now I have to warn you that this is where the story turns crazy and unbelievable, but everything I tell you is the truth, nothing but the truth...)

So, as I was saying, I'm merging on the highway at 60MPH (did I leave that part out before!?!) as the car in front of me swerves away to avoid the SUV with its hazards on. As I passed the SUV, I watched it proceed to BACK up the on-ramp, around a blind corner, and get off of the interstate it mistakenly got on!

Now I hate to say this- but if this had happened in Seattle everyone would have called the police claiming drunk driving or such, But I live in the fabulous world of sunshine, beaches, and indecency of epic proportions. To think H will be on the road in only 12 years- now more than ever I'm ready to invest in the 'bubble boy protection' unit!

Wish me luck on my next journey, I'll need it!
N

Hey look, it's a blog!

I made us a blog.  Now I have to go clean bathrooms with a small baby strapped to my chest.  I had chips and three red vines for lunch.

Your turn.

(I promise to post better in the future when in-laws are not arriving in short time)