I’m sitting here typing this post as the ice accumulates outside. But thankfully, it isn’t as bad as it could be. We still have power! And with any luck, we’ll keep it all the way through this storm. We had a bad ice storm eight years ago where we were without power for a week. But that’s another story for another time.
So on the assumption we have power and are able to cook as normal, here are some more meal ideas for the week.
Taco Soup
Nothing warms you up faster than a delicious bowl of soup. And taco soup is one of my favorites. Probably because it’s so easy. Just brown your hamburger and mix in taco seasoning as you would for tacos. Then add a can each of corn, black beans (drained), Rotel tomatoes, and chili beans. Now you can mix this up however you like, but I either add a can of tomato sauce or a can of enchilada sauce then enough beef broth or water to get the desired consistency. Simmer on the stove for 30 minutes and enjoy. I love mine with sour cream, grated cheese, and crunched-up tortilla chips on top. Yummy!
Hot Beef Sundae
These were introduced to me at the Iowa State Fair Beef Quarters, and boy are they wonderful. And simple to make! Just take mashed potatoes, add shredded roast beef, grated cheese, and gravy. (For those who like it…my family seldom gets gravy. Mostly because I don’t like it and I don’t like to make it. Poor souls.) Then top it off with a cherry tomato and you’re good to go. I add corn to mine, too, so I can consider this a “One Dish Wonder.” Scrumptious!
Oh no. I just looked outside and the trees are starting to hang pretty heavy from the ice.
Biscuits and Gravy
Okay, I just said I don’t care for gravy, but then I remembered biscuits and gravy and I love biscuits and gravy. So I wanted to redeem myself to those of you who crave gravy. Now, most of you are probably used to biscuits and gravy for breakfast, but it works great for supper, too. And if you haven’t tried it with beef sausage before, you really must. Beef sausage is the best!
Now, you can definitely look up a different recipe, but I go with this super simple one my Mom taught me. Put frozen (or canned) biscuits in the oven. Or make your own from scratch. I do that once in a blue moon. Then, in a large skillet, brown 1 pound of beef sausage (or you can just use hamburger and have hamburger gravy over bisuits), add a can of cream of mushroom soup, then refill your empty can about 2/3 full of milk, swish it around to get the last traces of soup, and add it to the skillet. Presto change-o. Biscuits and gravy! Add salt and pepper to taste and get supper on the table in 20 minutes. I like it with green beans, but you can have whatever veggie you would like.
Reuben’s
Oh my. This is making my mouth water. When I was a kid, I thought Reuben’s were evil. I did NOT like them. Sauerkraut?! Who in their right mind would eat that stuff?! But as I’ve gotten older, I’ve grown to love the stuff. I eat it straight out of the can while I’m making these in fact. And again, feel free to look up a fancy recipe, but I like things super simple.
So for mine, I take some nice rye bread, butter it like you would for a grilled cheese, mix up mayo and chili sauce till it looks right, spread that on your bread, add corned beef, (And okay, I use the $.79 prepacked stuff and I like it just fine. But you could definitely up the quality there.) sauerkraut, and cheese and then grill. Or if I’m making several, I put them in the oven for about 10 minutes per side and make them that way. These are so good!
Gyros
Okay, this may be more of a summertime meal, but I get a craving for it in the winter, so we have these once in a while even in the winter months. And the picture really isn’t quite representative of what I usually make, but it sure looks good, doesn’t it? See, I use ground beef for mine, but you could use gyro meat…though I’m not really sure what it is. Lamb? Goat?
Anyway, I use the recipe in my Betty Crocker Cookbook, but you can Google any recipe you’d like. These are fabulous!
Well, I’m going to wrap this up because my mother-in-law just called and said their power just went out. Bummer! So good luck with your recipes!
Beef. It’s what’s for dinner!