Tag Archives: mushrooms

New Beef Bourguignon

Don’t tell Julia child that we are not using her recipe ! This is a time consuming recipe, but it is great for special occasions – it’s not just everyday that you get Beef Bourguignon 🙂

Beef Bourguignon
Beef Bourguignon

6 servings
344 calories per serving

2 1/2 t oil, divided
1 1/2 lb. lean beef stew meat
2 c sliced onions
2 c sliced carrots
1 c diced green bell pepper
1 can diced tomatoes, undrained
12 oz whole mushrooms, quartered
1 14 oz. can beef broth
1 1/2 c red wine (a Burgundy or Beaujolais is recommended)
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 T tomato paste
1 bay leaf
1/2 t salt
1/4 t pepper
3 T flour
2 T butter, softened

To caramelize onions, heat a skillet on medium high heat and add 1 t oil than add onion slices and cook on medium high heat for 7 minutes, stirring frequently. Add a bit if salt and pepper and then reduce heat to low, cover, and cook 15 minutes, again, stirring frequently. You want the onions to become a nice golden color, but remain very moist. If they start to dry out in the first 7 minutes, reduce the heat a little. If they start to dry out during the covered cooking period, add a tablespoon or more of hot water and mix well.

Heat oil in a large Dutch oven* to medium high heat. Blot meat on paper towels – it will brown much better the drier it is. Add beef and cook until brown. Remove from pot and set aside. Add carrot, mushrooms and green pepper to pot. Cook 4 minutes then add onions and cook another 2 minutes and then return beef to pot. Add tomatoes, broth, wine, garlic, tomato paste, bay, salt and pepper to pot. Mix well and cover and bring to a simmer and cook on low for 2 hours. Discard bay leaf. Combine flour and butter and mix well until it becomes all incorporated into a paste. Spoon 1/2 c of pan juices into the flour and whisk until very smooth. Then add back to pan and stir. Serve immediately.

*Dutch Oven – every kitchen needs a Dutch oven – some recipes just do not come out the same without one. It is a very heavy duty pot that allows you to cook things slowly for hours without burning the contents. From soups to stews to sauces, this is a kitchen must have. I don’t think you need a really pricey one (some come in at over $330 ! yeeks !) as I have an $80 version that has been treating me good for years and years.

Spinach with Mushrooms

Both spinach and mushrooms are low on the calorie scale, but high on the flavor scale. Combine them for a great tasting very low calorie side dish that you can whip up in just minutes.

Spinach with Mushrooms
Spinach with Mushrooms

4 servings
52 calories per serving

2 shallots, sliced thinly
1 clove garlic, minced
1/4 c beef broth
3/4 t oil
4 oz fresh or canned mushrooms, sliced or quartered if button
1 lb. baby spinach leaves
1/4 t pepper
1/4 t salt
¼ t garlic powder

Combine shallots, garlic, 2T broth and oil in skillet. Cook 5 minutes or until shallots are softened. Add mushrooms and the remaining broth and cook 5 more minutes or until mushrooms are softened. Place on high heat and add spinach a bit at a time and stir until spinach is wilted, about 2-3 minutes. Add salt, garlic powder and pepper and serve.

Beef Stew

There’s nothing like a hot bowl of stew on a cold night. This one is packed with goodness and tastes so very yummy !

Beef Stew
Beef Stew

4 servings
275 calories per serving

1 lb. lean steak (sirloin, London broil, filet, etc.) cut into 1 inch cubes
8 oz. sliced mushrooms
2 c green beans
2 large carrots, peeled and sliced
1 lb. potatoes, peeled and cut into 1 inch cubes (about 1 very large)
1 can (14 oz.) fat free beef broth
1 can (14 oz.) fat free beef gravy
¼ t garlic powder
1/8 t onion powder
Salt and pepper to taste
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 t olive oil

Heat pan to medium high heat and then add oil. When oil is hot, add beef. Sprinkle with garlic powder, onion powder, salt and pepper. Cook beef until browned on all sides, about 4 minutes. Add garlic and cook for another 5 minutes on medium heat, stirring occasionally. Add broth, gravy, and carrots. Bring to a boil. Then cover and cook 45 minutes on low heat. Add potatoes and cook another 30 minutes. Add green beans and cook a final 15 minutes.

Alternately, you can add all at once and crock pot this meal on low 5-6 hours – but the veggies will not be as crisp.

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