Braised Beef with Shallots and Mushrooms

The saying “you can’t please everyone” applies to this recipe.  With that warning being issued, you may decide to stop reading this right now. 

Ingredients:

• 1 –1/2 lb Beef Chuck Roast, cut into serving sized pieces
• ¼ Cup Flour
• 3 Tablespoons Butter
• ½ lb small Shallots
• 1 Cup Beef Stock
• 2 medium Tomatoes, chopped
• 3 Tablespoons Balsamic Vinegar
• 1 Tablespoon packed Brown Sugar
• 2 large Carrots, cut into 2 inch pieces
• 2 Cups Mushrooms, cut into quarters
• ¼ Cup chopped Parsley
• 2 Tablespoons grated Lemon Zest

Recipe From: Campbell’s Kitchen

Preparation:

Coat the Beef with Flour.  Heat the Butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat.  Add the Beef and cook until it is well browned on all sides.  Remove the Beef from the skillet and pour off any fat.

Add the Shallots to the same skillet.  Cook them for 10 minutes until tender.  Stir in the Stock, Tomatoes, Vinegar and Brown Sugar and bring to a boil.  Return the Beef to the skillet and reduce the heat to low.  Cover the skillet and cook for an hour and a half.

Add the Carrots and Mushrooms to the skillet and cook for another 30 minutes.  Remove the Beef and vegetables from the skillet with a slotted spoon and keep warm.

Increase the heat to high and cook the Stock until it has thickened, about 10 minutes.  Return the Beef the Beef and veggies to the skillet and heat through.  Season as desired and sprinkle with the Parsley and Lemon Zest.

 In all honesty two bites were all of this dish I could stand.  Aquaman dutifully ate his, but agreed that this was a recipe we need never revisit.  What a shame!  Plus the chopping took forever.  So sad.

Baked Spaghetti

Sorry for the hiatus – I got smacked upside the head by life and it took a while to recover all my marbles.

A twist on the traditional and one that will have you screaming “More! More! More!”  ‘Nuff said.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb Spaghetti
• 1 lb Ground Beef
• 1 medium Onion, chopped
• 2 – 26oz. jar of Spaghetti Sauce
• 2 Eggs
• 1/3 Cup grated Parmesan
• 5 Tablespoons Butter, melted
• 2 Cups Ricotta Cheese
• 4 Cups shredded Mozzarella Cheese
• ½ Teaspoon Seasoned Salt

Preparation:

            Start by cooking the Spaghetti according to package directions.  Meanwhile, cook the Beef and Onion in large skillet until nice and browned.  Drain and add the Spaghetti Sauce, Seasoning Salt and set aside.

            Next, in a large bowl, whisk together the Eggs, Parmesan and Butter.  Add the drained Spaghetti to the bowl and toss to coat.

            Take half of the Spaghetti mixture and place along the bottom of a greased 13-in x 9-in baking dish.  Top with half of the Ricotta Cheese, half the Meat Sauce and half of the Mozzarella Cheese.  

           Repeat the layers.  Cover with aluminum foil and bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes.  Uncover and finish baking for another 20-25 minutes or until the cheese is melted.

            This dish needs no further rationalization.  One bite and you’ll be smitten.  You're welcome.