Slow Cooker Beef Stew

 

It's almost too hot for this recipe here in Florida!  Ah, who am I kidding ... it's definitely too hot for it (for me anyway).  But, my northern readers may be able to squeeze in a day or two where they can enjoy this slow cooker meal.  It is simple, easy and packed with flavor. 

There is something comforting about this dish.  It warms you from the inside out plus it basically cooks itself!  I love coming home to house that smells like I have been slaving over the stove all day.

Ingredients

2 lbs stew beef
2 tablespoons of flour (I used Bob's Red Mill All Purpose Gluten Free Flour)
2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil
1 bag of baby carrots
1 1/2 cups of chopped celery
3 potatoes, diced
1 onion, diced
2 tablespoons of Worcestershire sauce
1 - 32 ounce container of beef stock

Instructions

Toss beef and flour into a ziploc bag and shake to coat.
Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat.
Brown beef in pan for about 2 - 3 minutes.
Toss beef into slow cooker.
Add onion and Worcestershire to pan and cook for 2 minutes then add to slow cooker being sure to scrap the bottom of the pan to get all the tiny bits of meat that stuck while you were cooking the beef.
Add the rest of the ingredients to the slow cooker.
Set to cook for either 8 hours on low or 3 - 4 hours on high.
Serve over noodles, rice or with a crusty piece of bread.
Enjoy!

Banana Bread (Gluten Free)

 

Am I the only one that thinks Gluten Free foods are outrageously priced these days?  I know food prices have increased but $6 for a loaf of bread?  Really.  Are you serious? I refuse to re-mortgage my house in order to feed my gluten sensitive daughter the treats she loves!  Therefore, I do most of the baking for her.  At first there were MANY disasters.  Gluten-free baking can be tricky.  Rest assured, any recipe I post has been baked and taste tested!!  If it doesn't satisfy everyone in my home it doesn't make it to this blog!

Ingredients

2 cups Gluten Free All Purpose Flour (I use Bob's Red Mill)

3 ripe bananas

2 eggs or (2 tablespoons flaxmeal & 6 tablespoons of water= egg equivalent)

2/3 cup sugar

1/2 cup apple sauce

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon xanthan gum (omit if using wheat flour)

2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Mash bananas in a large bowl.

Add egg, apple sauce, oil and sugar to bananas and mix well.

Next add flour, baking soda, baking powder and xanthan gum.

Mix well and pour into a greased loaf pan.

Bake for 45 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean.

Cool and serve.

Enjoy!