Sunday, September 28, 2008

Minestrone alla Milanese

I made this on Saturday morning for my mom. She still hasn't eaten a whole lot of anything, so I thought this might taste good!

28oz reduced sodeium beef broth
14oz diced tomatoes, undrained
1c diced potato
1c. coarsely chopped green cabbage
1c. coarsely chopped carrots
1c. sliced zucchini
3/4c chopped onion
3/4c. sliced frehs green beans
3/4c. coarsley chopped celery (I chopped some of the leaves up too for flavor)
3/4c water
2T EVOO
1 clove garlic minced
1/2t basil
1/4t rosemary
1 bay leaf
15oz cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
Grated Parmesan cheese

Combine all ingredients excpet beans and cheese in slow cooker. Mix well. Cover; cook on low for 5-6 hours. Add beans. Cover; cook on low an additional hour or until veggies are crisp and tender. Remove and discard bay leaf. Garlish with cheese, if desired.

Recipe adapted from "Fix It Quick: Slow Cooker"

Beef Bourguignon

It's been ages since I've actually updated anything in here...I just don't seem to have the time anymore but I'm going to make an effort to work on it a couple times a week.

I made this the other night when my mom had her surgery because it was quick and easy and I could just toss it all in the crockpot and it was all ready to go when I finally got home after 26 hours of being awake.

3lbs boneless beef top sirloin steaks
1/2c. all purpose flour
4 slices of bacon diced
2 medium carrots, diced
8 small new red potatoes, unpeeled, cut into quarters
8-10 mushrooms sliced
24 pearl onions
3 cloves minced garlic
1 bay leaf
1t dried marjoram leaves
1/2t dried thyme leaves
1/2t salt
black pepper to taste
21/2 cups Burgundy Wine or Beef broth (I used half and half)

1. Cut beef into 1/2inch pieces. Coat with flour and set aside.
2. Cook bacon in large skillet over medium heat until partially cooked. Add beef; cook until browned. Remove with a slotted spoon.
3. Layer carrots, potatoes, mushrooms, onions, garlic, bay leaf, marjoram, thyme, salt, and pepper, beef and bacon mixture in the slow cooker. Pour liquid over top. Cover and cook 8-9 hours on low or until beef is tender. Remove and discard bay leaf.

This recipe was adapted from "Fix it Quick: Slow Cooker"