Showing posts with label potatoes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label potatoes. Show all posts

Spicy Beef and Potato Soup

Here in Texas it is finally getting cold!  The low today was 33 degrees and it will warm up to nice 61 degrees.  


So let the soups began!


I thought that I got this recipe from my friend Shari who lives in Minnesota but a couple a years ago I was telling her how much I like this soup.  She had never had the soup so I have no idea where I got this recipe.


I will add about a tablespoon of Chicken Base to give it that heartiness. I do that with other things when it just needs something. I get my Chicken Base at Sam’s but you can get it at any grocery store.  


Also here is a great recipe for cornbread using Bisquick and cornmeal …. Like it’s even good the next day!


https://itsallaboutagoodrecipe.blogspot.com/search?q=Cornbread






 



Spicy Beef and Tomato Soup


1 lb lean ground beef

4 cups cubed peeled potatoes

1 small onion

1 lg can (29oz) tomato sauce

4 cups water

2 tsp salt

1 ½ tsp pepper

1 can rotel  or ½ to 1 tsp hot pepper sauce


1 Tbl chicken Base

 

In a large dutch oven or stick pan brown ground beef, drain the fat.  Add potatoes, onion & tomato sauce.  Stir in water, salt & pepper and rotel tomatoes.  Bring to boil; reduce heat & simmer 1 hour or until the potatoes are tender and the soup has thickened.


I do however cook the potatoes separate in a pan then I drain them and pour into the soup. 

 

Serves 6-8 about 2 qts


Here is the Chicken Base I use, I buy their Beef Base too it’s basically like adding chicken bouillon cubes but better.  I do however love Knorr’s chicken bouillon cubes that would work too.. they are soft and dissolve well.

 


 


Roast Beef


I believe we had Roast Beef every Sunday growing up!  There is nothing like walking into a house on a Sunday after Church with Roast in the oven!  I love love roast and I love the house smelling like roast when I walk in the door.

One time my sisters and I were waiting on my parents to come home.  My mom had a roast in the oven and we were dying to take a bite so we did!!  We took out the roast very carefully and took  a few nibbles and when we went to put it back in the oven we DROPPED it!  Oh my!  We acted pretty fast getting it up off the floor along with the potatoes and carrots putting it back in the pan and into the oven.  I think our parents thought something was up because none of us ate any as far as I can remember.  We just weren't hungry ;).  We didn't tell our parents for several years! 

The only other time we didn't eat something my mom made was when she made lamb once only once.  I think I cried because my favorite stuff animal growing up with this floppy white little lamb with a satin little bow.  My sisters loved that lamb too so we three stood together and none of  us budged.  Love my sisters!

I believe the trick to a good roast is searing the meat first because it locks in the juices.  I personally like to cook it in the oven verses the crock pot.  The crock pot makes a good roast and if you need to let it cook while you are at work go ahead.  I suggest cooking it for 8 to 10 hrs depending on what your settings are for your crock pot.

In the oven I like to cook it at 275 for about 4 hours.  The meat will just fall apart!  In my roast I add potatoes, carrots, onion and garlic. 

Most meats have a breaking point especially roast and brisket (since they are so large).  If when you take it out it's not there (the breaking point) cook it for another 20 to 30 minutes (on low heat).





Peel the potatoes and cut them into cubes (about 2 inches), slice onions in quarter pieces, chop 2 garlic cloves and I now just buy ready to eat carrots.



In a dutch oven or a nice heavy pan with a lid pour about 2 to 3 Tbsp of Vegetable oil in pan and heat up on med heat


This is a smaller roast than what I normally buy... When I find roast on sale I get it!!  Kroger and Tom Thumb run it on sale alot.  I do prefer Tom Thumbs roast over most they have angus beef.


In the pan place the roast in the hot oil let it sear on that side for about 3 to 4 minutes...
while it is searing add Worcestershire sauce, black pepper and Lawry's garlic salt (with green lid)


Turn sides and add seasonings to that side....also sprinkle some flour lightly on the roast I forgot to take a picture of that... just lightly so that it thickens the juice a tiny bit.


add the chopped veggies and season them with garlic salt (can use regular salt if you want) and pepper then add 1 cup of water.  Cover and place in over for 4 hrs on 275 degrees


Just out of the oven :)


So tender and moist!



1 roast
6 to 8 potatoes (peeled and cut up)
10 to 15 baby carrots
1 onion (cut into long pieces)
2 garlic cloves
Lawry’s garlic salt
Black Pepper
Worcestershire sauce
2 Tbsp vegetable oil

Searing the meat.   Place 2 Tbsp of vegetable oil into a dutch oven or roasting
Pan.  Place roast into pan add garlic salt, black pepper and Worcestershire
Sauce on each side browning the meat to keep juices inside.

Sprinkle some flour on each side of roast this will help thicken the juice that the
Roast makes.

Place roast in the middle of the pan add potatoes, carrots, onion & garlic along
The side of the roast.

Add 1 cup of water

Bake at 275 degrees for 4 hours

If you don’t have 4 hours increase oven temperature to 300 or 350 the lower the
Temp the tender the roast.

Baking at 350 roast should be done in about 2 ½ hours…



Baked French Fries



Ok, so I will have to say these are really good baked fries!  Now you do add oil to them but at least they are not saturated in oil while frying them since you bake them!  This is a french fry that taste so much closer to a real fried french fry but they are baked!   

I will always try at least once to bake things that are usually fried but if it doesn't taste good I won't do it again!  Like I haven't mastered a baked tortilla chip yet.  Just not the same! So I will fry up some corn tortillas in a skillet with some oil especially when I make tortilla soup! 

I am a sucker for anything that has to do with a potato!   Really I am! 

Something happens to these frys when you let them soak in the hot water it releases some of the starch. 




Cut potatoes lengthwise


boil some water


pour boiling water over potatoes and let sit 10 to 30 minutes


drain potatoes and dry each one with a paper towel then add oil and toss


add 4 Tbls oil, salt, pepper and I love to add Lawry's Garlic salt (with green lid)...I didn't have it this time :(


toss potatoes in oil...you could get by with adding just 2 to 3 Tbsp of oil instead of 4 tbsp



bake in oven tossing them after 10 minutes


I don't like mine too brown so this is when I pull them out but if you like your more crisp and brown bake until they are the color you like!  Just poke a fork in to see if they are tender before taking out.


                                                           

Baked Oven Fries

Ingredients
3 russet potatoes (about 24 oz. total), peeled and cut lengthwise into even sized wedges
 5 tbsp. vegetable, canola or peanut oil, divided
¾ tsp. kosher salt, plus more to taste
¼ tsp. freshly ground black pepper, plus more to taste

Lawry's garlic salt to taste with the green lid
Preheat the oven to 475˚ F. Place the potato wedges in a large mixing bowl. Cover with hot water; soak for 10-30 minutes. Put 4 tablespoons of the oil onto a heavy, rimmed baking sheet. Tilt the sheet side to side to evenly coat the pan with oil (a pastry brush can also help with this). Sprinkle the pan evenly with the salt and pepper. Set aside.


Drain the potatoes. Spread the wedges out on layers of paper towels or on clean kitchen towels. Pat dry with additional towels. Wipe out the now empty bowl so it is dry. Return the potatoes to the bowl and toss with the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil. Arrange the potato wedges on the prepared baking sheet in a single layer. Cover tightly with foil and bake for 5 minutes. Remove the foil and continue to bake until the bottoms of the potatoes are spotty golden brown, 15-20 minutes, rotating the baking sheet after 10 minutes. Using a metal spatula and tongs, flip each potato wedge keeping them in a single layer. Continue baking until the fries are golden and crisp, 5 -15 minutes. Rotate the pan as needed to ensure even browning.

When the fries are finished baking, transfer to a paper-towel lined plate to drain some of the grease. Season with additional salt and pepper to taste. Serve warm.