Salisbury Steak Meatballs

I found this recipe on Pinterest. A friend suggested some things she had changed and then I made a couple more. I apologize in advance that there are no pictures. (See original recipe for pics of the deliciousness!) My family gobbled it all up so fast, I didn't have a chance to take any pictures. I'll remedy that later & update the post. Take my word for it, this recipe is delicious! Here's the recipe with my changes:

*indicates my changes

For meatballs:
1 1/2 lbs ground beef
1/2 cup bread crumbs (I used the plain ones I had on hand)
1 egg
*2 large cloves garlic, pressed 
1/4 cup ketchup
1/4 cup coarse grain mustard (I used dijon mustard I had on hand and did just under 1/4 cup)
1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp seasoned salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1 tsp onion powder
2 Tbsp olive oil (for frying)

For gravy:
2 Tbsp butter
1 onion, chopped fine and set aside
1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
*1 can Campbell's beef consommé
2 Tbsp cornstarch
1/2 tsp seasoned salt
1 Tbsp ketchup
Parsley for garnish (optional)

*Mashed Potatoes:

4 large russet potatoes 

1 cube butter

1/4-1/2 cup heavy whipping cream

Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

Note: I prefer to make the meatballs ahead earlier in the day. It makes the balancing of cooking the meatballs, dicing potatoes for mashed potatoes, turning the meatballs, and all that so much easier! Before I start cooking the meatballs, I also premeasure the gravy ingredients and set aside for quick adding.

In a bowl, mix everything for meatballs together except for the olive oil. Roll into 1" balls. Should make close to 40 meatballs. (I think got just under 40.)

In a skillet, over medium-high heat, add olive oil. Add meatballs, about 20 at a time -depending on the size of your pan. (Mine was a 12" pan.) Don't overcrowd the meatballs. You want plenty of space to be able to turn them over. The original recipes suggests leaving 1/2" buffer zone around the meatballs to avoid meatballs falling apart. Cook the meatballs well on all sides (you want them completely cooked on the inside). Take cooked meatballs out and set aside. I put mine on a plate with foil over them. Repeat with remaining meatballs.

For the gravy, once the meatballs are all done cooking, add the butter and onions to the pan. Using a rubber, heat resistant spatula, stir the butter and onions around. You'll pick up all that yummy goodness left behind by the meatballs. It will add excellent flavor to your sauce. In a bowl, add the cornstarch to the consommé and whisk well to get rid of any lumps. Keep stirring the onions around until they are softened and translucent. Add in the consommé/cornstarch mixture as well as the other gravy ingredients. Mix well with spatula and allow to thicken. This will take about 3-5 minutes. I like to lower the temperature to low after it thickens and add the meatballs at this point. I cover the pan while I finish mashing the potatoes.

Mashed Potatoes directions: 

Peel and dice potatoes. Boil until tender. Drain and pour potatoes into bowl for mixing or into bosch mixer. With mixer or in bosch (with whisk attachment), beat potatoes with butter, cream, and salt and pepper. Add small dashes of extra cream if needed. These mix up fast. Don’t over mix. Taste test for fluffiness as well for taste. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Serve meatballs over mashed potatoes and enjoy! Absolutely delicious!!!

Adapted from Jo Cooks.

Beef Fajitas

We were craving fajitas one night, but we didn't have a seasoning packet. I turned to the internet and I found this homemade seasoning recipe. I cannot even find it again. It was in really random place. But I had all the ingredients on hand for it, so it is the one I used. And boy it did not disappoint.

We used homemade salsa and fresh tortillas (the kind you heat up on the skillet yourself). They really contributed to a restaurant-style fajita. I doubt I can eat a regular tortilla again. Mmmmmm...... What a fabulous meal it was! Just thinking about it again makes my mouth water. ;)

Fajita Seasoning
1 1/2 teaspoon Cumin
1/2 teaspoon Oregano
1/4 teaspoon Salt
1/4 teaspoon Red pepper
1/4 teaspoon Black pepper
1/8 teaspoon Garlic powder
1/8 teaspoon Onion powder
2 Tbsp juice from a fresh lime
Small Dash of worcestershire

Cut steak into fajita strips. Pour seasoning over steak in a ziploc bag. Zip bag and rub seasoning all over meat. We didn't let it marinate. We didn't have time. We just cooked it. But it worked out just fine. You can add peppers and onions if desired. We cooked the onions in a separate pan to caramelize. Once the steak is cooked, pour off the juices and continue cooking steak to "dry it out" a little (not really dry, but not soggy meat pieces). Serve with desired toppings.

Teriyaki Rice Bowls

One night my husband and I wanted something different for dinner. I suggested teriyaki. He suggested steak and this is what we came up with. He did a great job cooking the meat. I think it might be his job from now on! ;) I'll stick with the rice on this one. It's hard to screw up rice!

This teriyaki sauce is so versatile. We use it for chicken. We use it for beef. But one night I wanted a rice bowl. It hadn't crossed my mind to use it for the beef for that! It was super simple and way yummy! And it could just have easily had chicken if you're not a beef person.

Teriyaki Sauce (click for recipe)

2 lbs steak cut up into pieces

Veggies (we did just carrots this time but next time we'll do carrots, broccoli, onions, peppers, asparagus, and snow peas)

Long Grain Rice

Cook steak in a small enough pan so that the juices don't cook out. Add veggies and allow them to get soft and cooked in the meat juices. Add teriyaki sauce and cook until sauce is about half cooked out (gone into the steak and veggies).

Cook rice as desired. Serve over rice and enjoy!

Note: You can marinate the meat in half of the sauce (reserving the other half for when you cook it). For me, it worked to just cook it all in the pan together. But if you want a more subdued teriyaki flavor, marinate it, taste the meat when it is cooked and decide if you want to add the remaining reserved sauce. Don't worry, the sauce keeps well in the fridge for awhile.

Saucy Beef and Broccoli

Saute until lightly browned:
1 steak- thinly sliced (you can also use stew meat) & 1T oil

Make sauce with:
1 can tomato soup
3T soy sauce
1T vinegar
1t garlic powder
1/2 t crushed red pepper (optional)

Pour over beef & simmer 15 minutes.
Add: 3 C steamed & drained broccoli

Toss together & serve over white rice.

Slow Cooker Beef Enchiladas

from a list of crockpot recipes from a church function

1 lb ground beef
1 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup chopped green pepper
1 can (16 oz) pinto or kidney beans, rinsed and drained
1 can (15 oz) black beans, rinsed and drained
1 can (10 oz) diced tomatoes and green chilies -it is all together, undrained
1/3 cup water
1 tsp chili powder
1/2 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1 cup grated sharp cheddar cheese
1 cup grated monterey jack cheese
6 flour tortillas (6 or 7 inches)

In a skillet, cook beef, onion, and green pepper until beef is browned and vegetables are tender; drain. Add the next eight ingredients; bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes. Combine cheeses. In a 5 quart crock pot, layer about 3/4 cup beef mixture, one tortilla and about 1/3 cup cheese. Repeat layers. Cover and cook on low for 5 to 7 hours or until heated through.

***Lo-Fat tip: Use ground turkey instead of hamburger

Oven Stew

from mom

4 or 5 cans of cream of mushroom or cream of chicken soup
(we just do a couple of each or whatever we have on hand)
2 pkgs Lipton onoin soup mix
4 lbs stew meat (thawed)
1 quart+ water
1 can tomato soup or 1 can whole tomatoes
1/2 cup barley (optional)
2 onions, diced
Desired amount of diced potatoes and carrots
1 to 2 Tbsp tapioca for thickening
Frozen corn, peas, beans (added only 1/2 hour before serving)

Cook in large pot in oven for 4 to 5 hours at 250. Serve.

Prime Rib Roast

from mom

1 Roast
1 cup vinegar
¼ cup oil
1 tsp garlic
1 tsp pepper
½ tsp Accent (optional)
1 tsp salt
1 Tbsp sugar
2 Tbsp Heinz 57
2 Tbsp Ketchup
2 Tbsp Worcestershire Sauce

Put roast in crock pot. Combine all ingredients and pour over roast. Cook on low about 10-12 hours, depending on size of roast. Over night works well.