Beef Stroganoff with Horseradish Sour Cream

Ready for some comfort food?

What a great way to take the chill off, other than making comfort food.  This recipe will have dinner on the table in 30 minutes and is made all in the same skillet.  I just love one pot dishes, don't you? 

Beef Stroganoff was such a big hit back in the 70's and 80's, and for good reason.  You can't beat the flavors of rich beef, mushrooms, sour cream, and horseradish.  Memories of this dish bring back pleasant feelings. Always served over egg noodles, I just love it.  Like eating mashed potatoes, such a homey feeling.

So the other day my love got me a special edition magazine called Cuisine One Dish Dinners. What a great book.  If you happened to see it at the grocery store do yourself a favor and pick on up.  It is filled, filled, filled with excellent recipes, and side dishes.  So this recipe for Beef Tip Stroganoff with Horseradish Sour Cream caught my eye and I knew I needed to make this, and soon.  

It appears as a more elegant version of the old classic with a dollop of horseradish sour cream on top rather than stirred into the entire dish.  Also this version is served over rice instead of noodles.  The recipe also called for Beef tenderloin tips which I substituted for a nice top sirloin steak cut into bite sized pieces.  

This dish turned out perfect.  Better than I remembered and definitely considered comfort food.  Great for the family (omit the horseradish for the kiddos) or even elegant enough to serve company.  I just love this dish and intend to bring back the Beef Stroganoff single handedly.  Would you like to join in?

Beef Stroganoff with Horseradish Sour Cream

Adapted from Cuisine One Dish Dinners

Serves 4

Time:  30 minutes

3 T unsalted butter, divided

1 lb beef top sirloin, cut into bite size pieces

8 oz button mushrooms, stemmed

2 c thinly sliced onions

1 T tomato paste

1 T garlic, minced

3 T flour

½ c dry sherry

1 1/3 c reduced sodium beef broth

½ c sour cream

2 T prepared horseradish

1 T fresh minced dill

2 t lemon juice

white or brown rice, cooked

Melt 1 tablespoon butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat.  Add beef and sear until browned about 2-3 minutes.  Transfer beef to a place using a slotted spoon.  Melt remaining 2 Tablespoon butter in the same pan.  Add mushrooms and cook until beginning to brown, about 3 minutes.  Add onion and cook about 4-5 minutes.  Stir in tomato paste and garlic and cook 1 minute.

Sprinkle mushrooms with flour and cook another minute, stirring.  Deglaze pan with sherry, scraping up any brown bits.  Stir in broth and bring to a boil, stirring frequently.  Stir in beef and return to a boil.  Reduce heat to low and simmer until slightly thickened, about 5 minutes.

For the sour cream, combine sour cream horseradish, dill and lemon juice.  Stir until well combined.  Serve stroganoff over cooked rice and add a dollop of horseradish sour cream.


Linked to:  Weekend Potluck
                Foodie Friday

                Full Plate Thursday

Fuji Apple Chicken Salad

I traded in my normal scrumptious sandwich this weekend for a fresh salad.

Boy, I'm glad I did!

This is my take on Panera's Fuji Apple Chicken Salad which is a killer of a salad. My lives up to it's mentor in every respect. Nicely grilled chicken slices, Fuji apple chips lend crunch (Trader Joe's), while Gorgonzola cheese crumbles add tang. All on a top of mixed spring greens mixed with romaine and some great veggies. Oh, and don't forget the toasted pecans...my favorite. This salad is perfect as a main dish for lunch or dinner The combination of flavors make this a winner, and to top it off the slightly sweet dressing takes it over the edge.

TIPS

Here are some tips from Panera about making fresh salads of your own at home. The beauty of a salad is its ultimate versatility. Whether it is served as a side or dished up as the main course, there’s almost no end to the combinations you can create. It’s really about layering flavors and textures. 

Start with Quality Lettuce 
Don’t be afraid to mix varieties. Tender baby leaves work well in almost any combination: spinach and romaine, for example. Arugula and red leaf is another delicious blend. Try mixing fresh herbs in with the lettuce it will add a layer of depth to the salad and allow you to cut back on extra dressing at the end to enhance the overall flavor. Basil, dill, parsley, mint, and chives are good ones to try.

Add Layers of Flavor
A seasonal approach will help you combine the types of ingredients that go well together. Remember things that grow together go together: carrots, cucumbers, and tomatoes; apples and cranberries; mushrooms, spinach, and onions. Another way to build a super salad is to layer complementary regional flavors. Add a little protein to any salad that you want to make a meal. Keep the pantry stocked with nuts, dried fruit, and good-quality extra virgin olive oil. Making your own light dressing lends a freshness to the salad. One of the best dressing is made of olive oil, salt, pepper, and fresh lemon juice. It’s simple, fresh, and easy—and delivers a ton of flavor.

Don’t Forget the Croutons
Good croutons come from good bread. They add a lot of great texture to any salad.

Try cubing day-old bread, toss with olive oil, salt, and pepper; and toast in a 350°F oven until dry and crispy.

So I hope you enjoyed these tips and try some creative combinations for your salads.

Fuji Apple Chicken Salad

serves 2

Salad:
1 boneless skinless chicken breast
salt & pepper, to taste
2 cups of mixed spring greens
2 cups of romaine lettuce, torn
2 Roma tomatoes, seeded and chopped
1/4 of red onion, sliced into rings
1/4 c toasted pecans
1/4 c Gorgonzola crumbles
1/2 c Fuji apple chips

Dressing:
2 T apple juice
2 T white balsamic vinegar
2 T cider vinegar
1/2 t salt
3 t sugar
1 t lemon juice
1 clove of garlic, minced
4 T olive oil

Heat skillet over medium high heat.  Salt & pepper chicken, and place in skillet.  Cook for 5 minutes until golden brown and then flip over.  Cook another 4-5 minutes until chicken is done and no longer pink inside.  Remove chicken from the skillet and allow to cool slightly.  Once cooled slice chicken into thin slices.

On two serving plates or bowls, divide spring greens, romaine lettuce, tomatoes, and red onion rings.  Top each plate with half of the chicken slices.  Add 2 tablespoons of pecans to each plate.  Add 2 tablespoons of Gorgonzola cheese to each plate.  Top with Fuji apple chips, dividing among both plates.

Make Dressing:  In a small mason jar, add all dressing ingredients.  Top with the lid and shake until well combined.  Drizzle dressing over each salad and toss to coat.  Serve.


Linked to:  Totally Tasty Tuesdays

Peanut Butter Banana Sandwich aka "The Elvis"

I'm running out the door...

Today's "MY" day.  The day I do things that I want.  Pampering day, shopping day, anything that tickles my fancy.  So I'm off to attend a couple of classes.  First up is a class on making Easter Baskets.  Easter is a favorite holiday of mine, so making an Easter basket is right up my alley.  Brings back so many great childhood memories.  

And, it that is not enough, I'm attending another class too!  A cooking class discovering the many dishes using fresh spring vegetables.  How cool is that!  I can't wait to share these recipes with you.

Needless to say I'm running around the house trying to get ready.  One thing about me....I'm hungry in the morning.  My stomach is actually yelling "feed me" from the moment I wake up.  Always has been...always will.  So a quick on the go breakfast is a must today.

Do you find yourself ever needing a good breakfast, one that travels well?  One you can take with you and eat along the way?  I think there are always times like that. This sandwich is perfect for on the go rush breakfasts.  The combination is classic peanut butter, bananas, and toast.  Also known as "The Elvis" (I'm a huge Elvis fan!) This is wholesome and good for you, if you use the right ingredients.

To make this lighter we use a light wheat bread (lower calories and carbs), light peanut butter (lower fat and sodium), and a banana (healthy as is!).  Simple to make, full or protein, and easy to eat on the run.  Plus the kids will love it!

Hope you enjoy my "quick" breakfast sandwich.  "Thank you, thank you very much!"

Peanut Butter Banana Sandwich aka "The Elvis"

serves 1

2 slices of light wheat bread
4 T light peanut butter
1 medium banana, sliced

Toast the wheat bread until golden brown.  Spread peanut butter on both slices of bread.  Top one bread slice with banana slices covering the peanut butter.  Top with the other slice of bread, peanut butter side down.   Slice sandwich in half and enjoy.