Nomday: Stroganoff and Meatloaf

I haven’t done a post about the amazing beef stroganoff in a long while, so that is so our dinner for this week! But, because I am now planning for all day meals, we are doing a bulk purchase and did two beef dishes; apologies to all the veggie-eaters out there. Please make a salad or some steamed carrots for the side dish that will go along great with both meals.

Beef Stroganoff

Approximate Cost: $15.00

Preparation Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 6 – 8 hours

3 lb. ground beef

1 onion, chopped

1 small carton sliced mushrooms

3 clove garlic, minced

2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce

8 oz. sour cream

Brown ground beef, drain and set aside. Saute onion, mushrooms and garlic until soft. Combine all ingredients in crock-pot. Stir until blended. Serve with noodles.

Meatloaf

Preparation Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 6 – 8 hours

2 lbs. ground beef

1 lbs. ground sausage

2 tblsp. Greek seasoning

1 tsp. garlic chopped

½ cup red onion, chopped

Worcestershire Sauce to taste

Form meat mixture into a loaf and place in crockpot. Cook on medium heat.

Nomday: Beer, Cabbage and Brats

Some things require a repeat performance, this recipe is one of those things. Besides, what better meal to enjoy after a weekend at the Made in the Shade Beer Festival in Flagstaff, Arizona. Good times care of Local Lily! Keep a look out for my write up on the festival on www.locallily.com.

Cabbage and Brats

Approximate Cost: $21.00

Preparation Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 10 hours

5 to 6 links apple smoked sausage

1 medium head cabbage, quartered

1/2 large red onion

1 cup creamy honey-mustard dressing

1/4 cup cider vinegar

I chose not to brown the sausage because usually the food is left to cook for more than the average time and I don’t want over cooked meat, if you want it done faster though, I recommend browning the meat first. Combine with cabbage and onion in the Crock Pot. Add remaining ingredients; cover and cook on low for 8 to 10 hours.

Nomday: Ravioli with Hot Ground Sausage

Finally recovered after Phoenix Comic Con, new rehearsals, and a signing for Blackstrap’s Ecstasy at Todd’s Books in Payson, Arizona and I am finally back to cooking. Not that into it though, so here is something simple but tasty!

Ravioli with Italian Sausage

Approximate Cost: $20.00

Preparation Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour

2 bags frozen ravioli (we used portabella mushroom filled)

1 lbs hot ground sausage

1 lbs regular ground sausage

16 oz can pasta sauce

10 oz can crushed tomatoes

3 cloves garlic (crushed)

Add ravioli, pasta sauce, tomatoes and garlic to crockpot. Brown sausage in large skillet and add to crockpot.

Nomday: Stuffed Red Peppers

Stuff Red Peppers in Crockpot

Approximate Cost: $35.00

Preparation Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 4 – 6 hours

3 lbs 80% lean ground beef

1.5 lbs ground hot sausage

6 – 8 large red peppers (tops and seeds removed)

1 small carton mushrooms (chopped)

2 small tomatoes (chopped)

3 cloves garlic (chopped)

2 cans pasta sauce

1 packet tomato pesto mix

1 packet garlic and onion mix

Parmesan cheese to taste

Blend meat, and chopped veggies with garlic and onion mix. Fill peppers with meat mix. Place peppers into crockpot. They should fit snug. Mix tomato pesto mix with pasta sauce. Pour sauce over peppers to fill crockpot. Coat peppers with parmesan cheese. Cover. Cook on high for four hours.

Nomday: Apple Sausage with Onion Mustard

Apple Sausage with Onion Mustard

Approximate Cost: $20.00

Preparation Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 5 -7 hours

1 1/2 to 2 pounds chicken apple sausage links or similar smoked sausage

1 medium sweet onion, sliced

4 tablespoons Creole mustard or other grainy mustard

4 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

4 tablespoons brown sugar

3 tablespoons honey

Cut sausages into 1- to 2-inch chunks. Put sliced onion in the bottom of a slow cooker; top with sliced sausages. Combine remaining ingredients in a small bowl and pour over sausages. Cook on LOW for 5 to 7 hours.

Nomday: Cabbage and Brats

Cabbage and Brats

Approximate Cost: $21.00

Preparation Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 10 hours

5 to 6 links bratwurst sausage

1 medium head cabbage, coarsely shredded

1 large red onion

1/2 cup creamy honey-mustard dressing

1/4 cup applesauce

1 to 2 teaspoons caraway seed

1/2 teaspoon celery seed

salt and pepper to taste

I chose not to brown the sausage because usually the food is left to cook for more than the average time and I don’t want over cooked meat, if you want it done faster though, I recommend browning the meat first. Combine with cabbage and onion in the Crock Pot. Add remaining ingredients; cover and cook on low for 8 to 10 hours.

This turned out so tasty! I am not sure it will make it the entire week and I am thinking of adding potatoes next time to bulk it up a bit more.

A bit of trivia: Chou-chou means cabbage in French, but it is also a term of endearment ie; Ma petite chou-chou!

Mmmmday! Meatloaf or Stuffed Red Peppers

Mmmmm, Monday!

This week is low carbs but very much not vegetarian!

Crockpot Meatloaf

Prep: 10 minutes

Cook: 4 – 6 hours

3 lbs 80% lean ground beef

2 cans cream of mushroom soup

3 cloves garlic (crushed)

1 small carton mushrooms

6 saltine crackers (crushed)

3 tblsp Worcestershire sauce

1 packet onion soup mix

Salt & pepper to taste

Combine all ingredients except mushrooms and mushroom soup in bowl with ground meat. Shape into loaf (giant meatball) and place in crockpot. Pour soup over loaf and cover with mushrooms. Cover. Cook on low heat for four to six hours.

Or

Stuff Red Peppers in Crockpot

Prep: 10 minutes

Cook: 4 – 6 hours

3 lbs 80% lean ground beef

1.5 lbs ground hot sausage

6 – 8 large red peppers (tops and seeds removed)

1 small carton mushrooms (chopped)

2 small tomatoes (chopped)

3 cloves garlic (chopped)

2 cans pasta sauce

1 packet tomato pesto mix

1 packet garlic and onion mix

Parmesan cheese to taste

Blend meat, and chopped veggies with garlic and onion mix. Fill peppers with meat mix. Place peppers into crockpot. They should fit snug. Mix tomato pesto mix with pasta sauce. Pour sauce over peppers to fill crockpot. Coat peppers with parmesan cheese. Cover. Cook on high for four hours.

It's Mmmmmday Again! Mac & Cheese and Ravioli

It is Mmmmmday again! I am super low budget this week, but with three different recipes. All three are noodle-y goodness, so advance apologies to the low/no carb. fans out there.

Mac & Cheese LVL I

Prep: 10 min

Cook: 45 min

One 16oz box Shells

1 can cheese soup

1 can heavy cream

Small block of cheddar cheese (shredded)

3 garlic cloves (crushed)

1 tsp dry mustard

Black pepper to taste

Boil noodles until chewy, strain and set aside. Combine all other ingredients in crockpot and stir until smooth. Stir in noodles. Cook on low for 45 minutes or until cheese is melted and creamy.

Mac & Cheese LVL II

Prep: 10 minutes

Cook: 45 minutes

3 medium broccoli flowers (cut)

3 small cans of tuna (drained)

16 oz box elbow macaroni

12 oz shredded cheddar cheese

12 oz shredded mozzarella

6 oz sliced provolone

Parmesan cheese to taste

½ cup 2% milk

½ stick butter

4 cloves garlic

1 tsp dry mustard

Salt & pepper to taste

Boil noodles until chewy, strain and set aside. Melt butter. Combine all ingredients in crockpot and cook for 45 minutes or until broccoli is soft and cheese is creamy.

Ravioli with Italian Sausage

Prep: 5 minutes

Cook: 20 minutes

1 bag frozen ravioli

1 lbs hot ground sausage

16 oz can pasta sauce

3 cloves garlic (crushed)

Boil ravioli, strain and set aside. Brown sausage in large skillet. Add sauce and crushed garlic to skillet, finish cooking meat in sauce. Add ravioli to meat sauce.