comfort food

Slow Cooker Swiss Steak

6:26 AM



Slow Cooker Swiss Steak 

3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon pepper
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 to 2-1/2 pounds boneless beef top round steak
1 to 2 tablespoons butter
1 can (10-3/4 ounces) condensed cream of mushroom soup, undiluted
1-1/3 cups water
1 cup sliced celery, optional
1/2 cup chopped onion
1 to 3 teaspoons beef bouillon granules
1/2 teaspoon minced garlic

In a shallow bowl, combine the flour, pepper and salt. Cut steak into six serving-size pieces; dredge in flour mixture. In a large skillet, brown steak in butter. Transfer to a 3-qt. slow cooker. Combine the remaining ingredients; pour over steak. Cover and cook on low for 8-9 hours or until meat is tender. Serves six.

Gravy

Slow Cooker Pork Loin

7:55 AM



Slow Cooker Pork Loin

One 3 1/2- to 4-pound pork loin
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder 
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger 
1/8 teaspoon dried thyme 
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 tablespoon cooking oil 
2 cups chicken broth 
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice 
1 tablespoon soy sauce 
3 tablespoons cornstarch 

Trim the visible fat from the loin. If necessary, cut the roast to fit into a 3 1/2-, 4- or 5-quart slow cooker. In a small bowl, combine the garlic powder, ginger, thyme, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Rub the spice mixture over the entire surface of the loin. In a large skillet, heat the oil over medium to medium-high heat and brown the loin slowly on all sides. Drain off the fat. Transfer the loin to the slow cooker. Combine the chicken broth, lemon juice and soy sauce in a small bowl; pour over the loin. Cover and cook on low for 8 to 10 hours or on high for 4 to 5 hours. When the roast is done, transfer the meat to a serving platter and cover to keep it warm. To make the gravy, pour the juices from the slow cooker into a glass measuring cup. Skim off the fat. Measure 2 cups of liquid, adding water to the juices if necessary to make 2 cups. Transfer the juices to a saucepan, reserving 1/2 cup. Stir the cornstarch into the reserved 1/2 cup of juices until dissolved, then stir into the juices in the saucepan. Heat over medium heat, stirring frequently, until the gravy is thickened and bubbly, 2 to 3 minutes. Cook and stir 2 minutes more. Season the gravy to taste with salt and pepper. Slice the roast and serve it with the gravy.



Gravy

Smothered Pork Chops

12:22 PM


Smothered Pork Chops

1 cup all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons onion powder
2 tablespoons garlic powder
1 teaspoon cayenne
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
4 pork chops, 3/4-inch thick, bone-in
1/4 cup olive oil
1 cup chicken broth
1/2 cup buttermilk
Put the flour in a shallow platter and add the onion powder, garlic powder, cayenne, salt, and pepper; mix with a fork to distribute evenly. Pat the pork chops dry with paper towels to remove any moisture and then dredge them in the seasoned flour; shaking off the excess. Heat a large saute pan or cast iron skillet over medium heat and coat with the oil. When the oil is nice and hot, lay the pork chops in the pan in a single layer and fry for 3 minutes on each side until golden brown. Remove the pork chops from the pan and add a little sprinkle of seasoned flour to the pan drippings. Mix the flour into the fat to dissolve and then pour in the chicken broth in. Let the liquid cook down for 5 minutes to reduce and thicken slightly. Stir in the buttermilk to make a creamy gravy and return the pork chops to the pan, covering them with the sauce. Simmer for 5 minutes until the pork is cooked through. Season with salt and pepper and garnish with chopped parsley (if desired) before serving.