Needless to say, I've been playing games, wiping runny noses, making snacks, doing kids crafts, watching movies and cleaning up after people for four straight days. Last night I went to the grocery store for fun. It's bad down here in Big D.
So I'm whipping up winter food today. Comfort food without the work. Cheater food. Which means I have a little outside help. Fire up the crockpot today. We're making Cheater Beef Stew!
Cheater Beef Stew
2 lbs. beef stew meat
8 oz. baby carrots
1 white potato, cut into chunks
6 white button mushrooms, halved
1 celery stalk, cut into medium pieces
1/2 medium yellow onion, cut into large chunky dice
1 packet McCormick's Slow Cooker Beef Stew seasoning (the cheater part!)
1 1/3 c water
1/4 cup red wine
2 beef bouillon cubes
1 t garlic powder
1 t kosher salt
cracked black pepper
Mix veggies and beef in crockpot. Remember, you don't want your veggies cut into pieces too small since we'll be cooking them low and slow. Dissolve packet of beef stew seasoning in water. Add to crockpot. Add wine, bouillon, garlic, salt and pepper. Give it a stir.
Cook on Low for 8 hours. DO NOT LIFT THE LID UNTIL IT'S DONE PEOPLE!!!
Inform your family that you will be spending the rest of the day on the couch watching movies such as Bridget Jones' Diary, What a Girl Wants and Overboard. You will not be available for nose-wiping or snack-making. If the chance should arise, you might be able to clear your schedule for snowman-building detail or snowball fight protection. Roll your eyes and huff (notice I say "huff" and not "sigh") when they laugh and say "Yeah, right."
Serve with egg noodles or mashed potatoes or crusty bread. Or noodles and crusty bread. Or mashed potatoes and crusty bread. Or plain. Whatever floats yer boat!
Stay warm and Enjoy!
