Diaries of a Determined Cook!

These diaries are my entries to discover if I really can learn how to cook. Now, I can make a mean coffee cake or chocolate chip cookies, unfortunately my family can't live on these. LOL Even though the kids would love to! 

So, here I am with a new kitchen and the culinary skills of my 8 year old son. My husband has cooked for the last 18 years we've been together--"Out of survive," he likes to say. :)

I'll be putting up recipes that have worked for me and letting you know the ones I've majorly screwed up on. And, believe me... there will be quite a few! LOL

Who doesn't like a healthy dinner? Many years ago I took on the challenge to cook this way. Some might say that isn't a really feat, but to a woman who grew up on fatty French foods with lots of butter and cholesterol, it was! For a few years it was tough, however, the kids and my husband have finally come to 'The Healthy Side'. Don't get me wrong, not all these recipes will be that way, but now that I'm in charge of dinner. Heeheehee. They're eating vegetables!

First on the cooking menu a new favorite in my home:

SPICY BEEF STEW

Makes 6 servings-- Prep is 15 min-- Cook 13 min--Slow Cooker 4 1/2hrs on High or 6 1/2 hrs on Low

1 Tbs olive oil
1 pound chuck steak, trimmed and cut into 3/4 inch pieces I buy the packages that are pre-cut because. Yes, just because. :)
1 large onion, chopped
2 Tbs tomato paste
3 Tbs flour
1 1/2 cups low-sodium beef broth
2 tsp cumin
2 plum tomaties, chopped
2 cans (15 ounces each) white hominy, drained and rinsed  (You can find this in the Goya section)
1 each green and yellow bell peper, chopped
1 chipotle pepper in adobo sauce (from a 7 ounce can), seeded and chopped, plus 1 Tbs of the adobo sauce (You can find this in the Goya section) I tend to put a little more in because we like spicy stuff!
2 Tbs lime juice
sour cream (optional) But, it's sooo good with it. 
 
1) Heat oil in a nonstick skillet over med-high heat. Add steak and cook 7 min. Remove to slow cooker bowl.
2) Add onion to skillet. Cook 3 min. Stir in tomato paste; cook 2 min. Add flour and cook, stirring, 1 min.
3) Scrape onion mixture into slow cooker bowl. Stir in broth, oregano and cumin; cook on HIGH for 3 hours or LOW for 5 hours.
4) Stir in tomatoes, hominy, peppers, chipotle and adobo sauce. Cook 1 1/2 hours more. Stir in lime juice. Serve with sour cream, if desired. I actually cut this step out and mix everything together right at the beginning. Nothing has come out mushy and being the beginner that I am, LOL, I'll forget to do all this!

Great meal on a cold day! I'd never had Hominy before and now it's a favorite. :)

Enjoy and Have a Sparkling Day!
Rebecca Rose