Beef Stroganoff & Mad Men

I wanted to make something special for the season premier of Mad Men on Sunday. I figured a comfort dish from the 60's would be a great fit.  I gave my husband an option between 2 of his favorite meal:  Meatloaf and Beef Stroganoff.  It was a tough decision but he chose Beef Stroganoff.  I was surprised because he usually goes for meatloaf without hesitating.  I went for the crockpot method so I could throw it on after we got back from the lake and relax the rest of the day while smelling the magic happen.

If you haven't seen an episode of Mad Men, you must do so now.  It's a great show and Don Draper is too cool for school and super hot.  End of story!

2 lbs round steak, cut into 1 inch cubes, fat removed
1 1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp ground black pepper
1 tsp sweet paprika
1 c all purpose flour
4 tbsp unsalted butter
1 tbsp canola or vegetable oil
1 large onion, cut into half rounds
1 lb cremini mushrooms, sliced
1/4 c dry red wine
2 tbsp tomato paste
2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1 c beef broth
1/4 c dried porcini mushrooms, crumbled
1 c heavy cream
Noodles or long-grain rice for serving

Mix the salt, pepper, paprika and flour in a large plastic ziplock bag.  Add the meat, toss to coat and shake off the excess flour.  Heat the butter and oil in a large skillet over high heat.  Add the meat a few pieces at a time and brown all sides.

Transfer the browned meat to the insert of a 5-7 quart slow cooker.  Add the onions and cremini mushrooms to the skillet.  Saute over medium-high heat until the vegetables are softened and browned. (7-9 minutes)

Transfer the contents of the skillet to the slow-cooker insert.  Deglaze the skillet with the wine, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon.  Add the tomato paste, Worcestershire, and broth and heat.  Transfer the liquid to the slow-cooker inset and stir in the porcini mushrooms.

Cover and cook on high for 3 hours.  Stir in the cream, cover, and cook on low for an additional hour.

Serve with noodles or steamed long-grain rice.  Serves 8.

Cannoli Ice Cream

We were in the mood for something cool and sinful this weekend.  My husband suggested that he whip up a batch of ice cream.   I wasn't going to argue.  This is the first time he's made ice cream this summer.  He usually makes a few batches every year and we share the majority of it with friends.  In the past he's made flavors such as coffee, cheesecake, cinnamon oatmeal cookie dough, chocolate peanut butter swirl, honey ice cream and more that I can't recall.  My favorite has been the cinnamon oatmeal cookie dough so far.  It's very similar to the Ben & Jerry's version in my opinion.  It was not only my favorite due to the fact that I made the cookie dough but my husband is an amazing ice cream maker.  Also, oatmeal cookies are my fave as well as anything with cinnamon!   I'd love to hear your recipes & suggestions for a crazy concoction. What other ice cream should he make? 

He's not positive where he found the original recipe he adapted or else I'd give props.  If you love cannolis you'll love this. The recipe only makes a small batch so it's perfect for a sinful treat in a small dose or to double to share.  Some sort of cookie crumble over the top would be good in my opinion.

Cannoli Ice Cream

1 3/4 c whole milk ricotta cheese

2/3 c sugar

2/3 c heavy cream

1/2 tsp Grand Marnier (you can substitute with frozen orange juice concentrate)

zest of one small lemon

pinch of kosher or sea salt

1/4 c pistachios, chopped

1/4 c mini chocolate chips

In a food processor, combine the ricotta, lemon zest, sugar, and vanilla until well blended.  With cover on and blade spinning, slowly pour in the heavy cream.  Add the Grand Marnier.  Place the mixture in a bowl, and place that bowl in a larger bowl filled with ice water.  Set in the refrigerator until thoroughly chilled.

Churn in your ice cream machine according to manufacturer’s directions.   Mix in pistachios and chocolate chips after ice cream has firmed up a bit.  Place in a container in freezer until firm.  Makes about 2 pints.  

Whoopie Pie Wednesday

Cakeballs are fabulous.  Cupcakes are fabulous.  Anything with frosting is fabulous.  Whoopie Pies have now been confirmed by me as fabulous!  I've been wanting to try these out for a while now.  I finally caved.  I made Red Velvet and Devil's Food. Ohh emm geeee!!   Babe, you're taking these to work for the guys to devour.  I've had one of each flavor and I'm going to have to let them go far away from me or I'm gonna have to call in sick tomorrow just so I can stay home to stuff my face with this sweetness in private!

Cookies
1 Box Cake Mix (any flavor)
2 eggs
1/2 c butter (1 stick)

Beat ingredients in a mixer until combined.   Using cookie scoop, place them on ungreased cookie sheet about 2 inches apart. Bake 10-11 minutes.  Let cool in pan about 5 minutes transfer to rack to cool completely while you make the filling.  Or you could just enjoy them as cookies.  They're very moist! But why wouldn't you want frosting?!

Cream Cheese Filling
1 pkg cream cheese, room temperature
2 c powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla

Beat all ingredients in a small bowl until combined.   Add powdered sugar in increments of 1/2 c to thicken if needed.  Spread about 2 tablespoons of filling on the flat surface of cookies and sandwich together.  Makes 16 cookie sandwiches.

Hawaiian Pork Burgers

We really should use our grill more often. It's just too dang hot out there right now.   I love almost anything off the grill.  And it's sad to say but my husband just showed me how to use the grill for the first time. This is my first meal where I've been the grillmaster and not depended on him.  I'm very proud of myself but shame on me for waiting so long.  There are so many possibilities for tasty meals off the grill.  

When the subject of grilling comes up, I think of grilled cheesy dogs, asparagus,  zucchini, squash, pineapple, peaches, beer can chicken, kabobs and burgers.  (In that order too.)  I have a weak spot in my heart for almost burnt cheesy dogs.  Other than that, I only eat hot dogs at baseball stadiums.  Is that weird??  Oh well. 

I've never had a pork burger until now.  I thought this would make a tasty version.  At first it was weird since I'm use to medium well meat.  So when I look down and saw the light color of the pork, it grossed me out at first.  I kept thinking it was undercooked.  I got over it.  It was delicious!!  Enjoy!

1 lb ground pork

2 tbsp pineapple juice
1/3 c red bell pepper, finely diced
1/3 c yellow bell pepper, finely diced
1/3 c green bell pepper, finely diced

1/3 cup teriyaki sauce
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper

In a medium bowl thoroughly combine teriyaki sauce, pineapple juice, all bell peppers, salt and pepper. Add pork and gently bring all the ingredients together with your hands; do not over-work the meat. With dampened hands, form pork mixture into 4 patties of even thickness, or make 6 smaller patties, if desired. Transfer patties to a lined baking sheet, cover loosely with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.

Light the grill or preheat the broiler. Cook patties, turning each carefully with a spatula once, for about 6 minutes per side, or until just cooked through.

I served on a whole wheat bun with spicy mustard and lettuce.  The spicy mustard went really nice with the flavor.