Beef and Ground Beef

It's Best to Brown:
      For the best color and flavor, ground beef should be browned before using it ina slow cooker recipe. The exception is when preparing a meatloaf or similar dish. 
       Althoug it isn't necessary to brown other cuts of meat or poultry, the process can in hance the flavor and the appearance and reduce the fat in the finished dish.

Beef in Mushroom Gravy:

2 to 2 1/2 pounds boneless round steak
1 to 2 envelopes dry onion soup mix
1 can (10 3/4 ounces ) condensed cream of mushroom soup
1/2 cup water
plus 1 to 2 tablespoon beef boullion granuales
Mashed Potatoes, optinal

Cut steak into six servings sizes pieces; place ina slow cooker. Combine soup mix, soup and water, and boullion. Pour over beef. cover and cook on low for 7-8 hours or until meat is tender. Serve with mashed potatoes if desired. YIELDS: 6 servings.

Beefy AuGratin Potatoes:

1 packages (5-1/4 ounces) augratin or cheddar and bacon potatoes
1 can (15 1/4 ounces) whole kernel corn drained
1 can (10 3/4 ounces) condensed cream of potatoe soup, undiluted
1 cup water
1 can (4 ounces) chopped green chilies, drained
1 can (4 ounces) diced pimientoes, drained
1 can (4 ournces) mushroom stems and pieces drained
1 pound ground beef
1 medium onion, chopped

Set aside potato sauce mix aside. Place potatoes in a slow cooker; top with corn. In a bowl, combine soup, water, chilies, mushrooms, pimientoes and reserved sauce mix; mix well. Pour a third of the mixture over corn.

In a skillet, cook beef and onion over medium heat until the meat is no longer pink; drain. Transfer to slow cooker. Top with remaining sauce mixture. Do not stir. cover and cook on low 4-6 hours or until potatoes are tender. YIELD: 4-6 servings

Garlic Beef Stroganoff:

2 teaspoon beef bouillion granules
1 cup boiling water
1 can ( 10 3/4 ounces) condensed cream of mushroom soup, undiluted
2 jar ( 4 1/2 ounces each) sliced mushrooms drained
1 large onions, chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 1/2 to 2 pounds bonless round steak, trimmed and cut into thin strips
2 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, cubed
Hot cooked noodles

In a slow cooker, dissolve bouillion in water. Add soup, mushrooms, onions, garlic and Worcestershire sauce. In a skillet, grown beef in oil. Transfer to the slow cooker, Cover and cook on low for 7-8 hours or until meat is tender. Stir in cream cheese until smooth. Serve over noodles.
YIELDS: 6-8 servings.


Try To Trim Down:
When preparing meat or poultry for the slow cooker, trim off excess fat. It retains heat, and large amounts of fat could raise the temperature of the cooking liquid, causing the meat to over cook.


Slow-Cooked Swiss Steak

3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon pepper
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 to 2 1/2 pounds boneless round steak
1 to 2 tablespoon butter or margarine
1 can (10 3/4 ounces) condensed cream of mushroom soup, undiluted
1 1/3 cut water
1 cup sliced celery, optional
1/2 cup chopped onion
1 to 3 teaspoon beef bouillion granules

In a shallow bowl, combien, flour, pepper and salt. Cut steak in to six servings size pieces. Dredge in flour mixture. In a skillet brown steak in butter. .Transfer to slow cooker. Combine the remaining ingredients pur over steak. Cover and cook on low for 8-9 hours or until the meat is tender.
YIELDS: 6 servings
 
Cube Steaks with Gravy:
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
6 beef cube steaks (1 1/2 pounds)
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 large onion, sliced and seperated into rings
3 cups water, divided
1 envelope mushroom gravy mix
1 envelope brown gravy mix
1 envelope onion gravy mix
Hot mashed potaotes or cooked noodles

Place flour ina a large resalable plastic bag. Add steaks, a few at a time, and shake until completely coated. In a skillet, cook steaks in oil until lightly browned on each side. Transfer to a slow cooker. Add the onion and 2 cups water. Cover and cook on low for 8 hours or util meat is tender.
   In a bowl, whisk together gravy mixes with remaining water. Add to slow cooker; cook 30 minutes longer. Serve with mashed potatoes or noodels.
YIELDS: 6 servings