Beef Bourguignon

I always buy one package of beef with no fat and one with some to balance out my stew

Brown meat in olive oil, after cutting into bite size pieces that has been floured, with some herbs. (What ever you enjoy)  Rosemary, Sage, Thyme.

After browning meat remove to a dish, and then add to pan:

I – Onion

2- Carrots

2- Celery

1-sweet potato or 1 dry belt potato

6 Mushrooms sliced

1/2 red pepper
1/2 green pepper
Cut all approximately the same size

Brown all

Then put in a large pot adding meat

2 Tablespoons Worcestershire sauce

¼-cup tomato paste or 1 tomato

2-  Garlic cloves crushed

1 tbsp. Parsley,

½ tsp. salt,

½ tsp. pepper,

½ tsp thyme, oregano 
1 tbsp of brown sugar

Add 2 cups of broth

½ bottle of red wine. (robust)

¼-cup flour to ¼ cup of broth

mix  to thicken

I always mix these two together in a jar as not to have lumps.

Bring to a light boil, then cover and put into the oven at 325 for 2 to 3  hours.
I turn my oven to 200 for the last 2 hours

When meat is tender and the gravy is thick, add a cup of frozen corn and peas.

Serve over rice or noodles or mashed potatoes
with baking powder biscuits or garlic bread.

Stews are always better the second day. 

Left overs make beef pot pies for the freezer.

Date Loaf

Ingredients 

Aj's date loaf

1 3/4 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup brown sugar
1 egg, beaten
1 cup chopped dates
2 tablespoons butter
1 cup nuts (walnuts,

1 cup boiling water
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 tsp nutmeg

Directions:

Heat oven to 350F, lightly grease a loaf pan.
Mix the dates, butter& boiling water, set aside& cool.
When cooled mix in the beaten egg& sugar.
Mix the flour, baking soda& salt together.
Add dry ingredients to the batter.
Add nuts and vanilla, blend well.
Pour into the prepared loaf pan.

Bake in 350F oven for 50 minutes or until a wooden skewer comes out clean when inserted in the center.

Starting 2014

Salads

So many different salads to choose to make.
It just makes you want to look forward to dinner.
Add a few pieces of chicken, cheese or eggs. Or a little roast
beef if your taste buds crave that beef, like mine do. I like to add nuts
raisins, cranberries, even dates. Add variety to make it fun. Just watch
the dressings they can add so many calories to a simple salad.

Greek salad	Layer salad
Turkey salad	Oranges, chicken and  greens