With cooler days ahead, we’ll soon be thinking about some good, old “comfort foods” to warm us up. Those dishes also bring back memories of our mothers’ or grandmothers’ Sunday dinners. Beef stew might be one such memorable dish. This recipe for Sweet and Sour Beef Stew, however, offers a twist on the one most of us have eaten in the past.
Serve this Sweet and Sour Beef Stew with these Onion Cheese Muffins, and you may create a meal your family will remember for years to come.
SWEET AND SOUR BEEF STEW
1 1/2 pounds beef stew meat, cut in 1-inch cubes
2 tablespoons cooking oil
2 carrots, shredded
1 cup diced onions
1 (8-ounce) can (or 1 cup) tomato sauce
1 (4-ounce can) mushroom stems and pieces
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup vinegar
1 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon cornstarch plus 2 tablespoons cold water
Hot cooked noodles
Poppy seeds (optional)
Carrot curls for garnish (optional)
Parsley for garnish (optional)
Brown meat in hot oil. Add the next 7 ingredients, plus 1/2 cup water and 1 teaspoon salt. Cover and cook over low heat until meat is tender, about 1 1/2 hours.
Combine cornstarch and 2 tablespoons cold water; add to beef mixture. Cook and stir until thickened and bubbly.
Serve over noodles sprinkled with poppy seeds (if poppyseeds are used). Garnish with carrot curls and parsley, if desired. Makes 4 servings.
ONION CHEESE MUFFINS
2 cups all-purpose flour
3 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1 1/4 cups milk
1/4 cup butter, melted
1 egg
1/4 cup chopped green onions
1/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1/4 cup grated Romano cheese
1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
In a large bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, pepper and garlic powder. In another bowl, combine the milk, butter and egg; stir into dry ingredients just until moistened. Fold in the onions and cheeses.
Fill greased muffin cups two-thirds full. Bake at 400 degrees for 16-18 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool for 5 minutes before removing from pan.
Serve warm. Makes about a dozen muffins.
Brotherton offers website readers one stellar recipe a week in the “My Leader Yummy” feature. Looking for a recipe you can’t find? Email me at kbrotherton42@gmail.com and I’ll see if I have it.
