Beef Stroganoff

This is a creamy delicious version of stroganoff that it loaded with flavor!  It's my own version of a combination of recipes.  You can easily make this vegatarian by adding freshly cooked  mushrooms (like baby portabellas would be fantastic) instead of the meat.

Ingredients
1 lb cooked beef (steak, roast, ground, your choice)
Season meat with seasoned pepper and garlic salt.
I actually don't use the whole pound, but if I did I would double the rest of the ingredients:

1 onion
2 Tbsp butter
1-2 Tbsp olive oil
2 tsp minced garlic
1 cup water
1 tsp veggie stock (concentrate) I love the "better than bullion" kind
1 can cream of mushroom soup (healthy request version because it doesn't have added MSG)
1 tsp or less Worcestershire sauce (optional)
1 small can mushrooms, or cook fresh mushrooms with onions halfway through the sauteing process
salt to taste
pepper to taste (I like a lot!)
dash garlic salt
1 tsp parsley flakes (or better yet throw in some fresh chopped parsley)
1-1 1/2 cup sour cream (depending on how creamy you want it)

Cook meat and set aside. Saute onions in butter and oil on low heat (add mushrooms after about 5 minutes if using fresh ones).  Add minced garlic once the onions are cooked and saute 1 minute longer.  Then add water and veggie stock, cream of mushroom soup, worchestershire sauce, canned mushrooms, and spices.  Cook for about 5-10 minutes until desired consistency.  Last add sour cream and mix well, then add meat.  Serve over pasta.

* Top with fresh dill and parsley if desired!  Yum!!

Butter Ball Cookies

I'm totally on a dessert kick lately now that I'm past my first trimester and back to myself again!  So here's another one.

I grew up with these cookies, and they are still my favorite shortbread/sugar cookie ever. :)

Cream together 1 cup butter, 1/2 cup brown sugar, and 1 teaspoon vanilla till light and fluffy.  Gradually add 21/4 cups sifted flour, mixing till smooth.  Dough will be somewhat crumbly but will stick together when rolled together.  Form into 1-inch balls;  roll in granulated sugar.  Bake on greased cookie sheet at 325 for 20 minutes.  Cool and eat!  Makes about 48 cookies.

Bread Pudding!

You might just think you've died and gone to heaven when you eat this dessert!

Ingredients

• 6 slices day-old bread (I use 6-8 large slices of french bread, or about half a loaf.  and it doesn't have to be day old)
• 2 tablespoons butter, melted
• 4 eggs, beaten

• 2 cups milk
• 3/4 cup white sugar
• 1/2 to 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2. Break bread into small pieces into an 9x13 inch baking pan (or slightly smaller). Drizzle melted butter or margarine over bread. If desired, sprinkle with raisins.
3. In a medium mixing bowl, combine eggs, milk, sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla. Beat until well mixed. Pour over bread, and lightly push down with a fork (I mix it pretty well actually, you don't have to be too light!) until bread is covered and soaking up the egg mixture.
4. Bake in the preheated oven for 45-55 minutes, or until the top springs back when lightly tapped.

Sauce

1 cup white sugar

1/4 cup butter

3/4-1 cup whipping cream (depends on how thick you want it)

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Combine sugar, butter, cream, and vanilla in a large saucepan. While stirring, bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, and stir 3 minutes more. Spoon over warm bread pudding.