Beef Stew...yum

So here is my version of beef stew. I have some super tasters in my family, so after many tries I found that this one satisfies everyone in my family and is very easy to make. I usually do this on a weekend and prefer the taste of it cooked in the oven, but I included directions for crock pot cooking in case anyone would like to make it during the week. It is a basic recipe, so feel free to add any veggies that your family may like. My family like to add shredded Tillamook Chedder to the top before eating. Yum! Make it your own by adjusting vegetables and spices to your taste buds. Enjoy!
Beef Stew
1 lb. stew meat or 1 lb cut up roast meat
2 TBLS canola oil
16 oz. tomato puree
Water
2-4 TBLS Better Than Bouillon Beef
1 TBLS garlic powder
1 TBLS dried basil
Salt & pepper, to taste
8 medium size carrots, sliced into rounds
2 large potatoes (baker), chopped in to chunks
1 medium onion, chopped

Take the Demarle large or small stock pot, depending on amount you want to make. I use the small stockpot for my family of four and we have leftovers for lunch the next day. Heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add the meat and quickly brown all sides. The point of this is to NOT cook the meat but to sear all sides of the meat. This should only take 1-2 minutes. Once this is done, add the tomato, you can use juice, original spaghetti sauce or, stewed tomatoes. I happened to have canned tomatoes that I pureed in the blender because my family doesn’t like “chunks” of tomato. Then add 4 cans of water (use a 1 to 4 ratio of tomato to water). I dissolve the Better Than Bouillon (BTB) in a ¼ cup hot water, using a fork or spoon to mass it up (I buy my BTB at Costco), add to stockpot.
Then add the garlic powder, basil, salt and pepper. Put a lid on the pot or cover with tin foil. Now you can either cook it in the oven or on the stove top. Cooking it without the vegetables creates a rich, thick broth but it tastes good all cooked at the same time as well. It just depends on the time frame that I am working with.
Oven Version: In the oven cook at 200 degrees for 4-6 hours, add the vegetables, and increase the heat to 350 degrees and cook for 2-3 more hours.
Stove top: You can cook on the stove top on low for 6 hours, add the vegetables, increase heat but do not let the stew boil. In the last two hours add the vegetables.
Crock pot: If this is something you want to make while you are working, or away from home, you can cook it in the crock pot. Put all the ingredients in, stir, and put on low for 6-9 hours.
Times are approximate. When in doubt, cook longer. This is a recipe that can’t really be over-cooked!

AT LAST!!!!

Hi Everyone, so sorry for the delay! What a way to start off my blog! My computer contracted a virus and so I was without it for 1 week +! I thought I was going to go crazy, I think I may be addicted to the internet, I was having major withdraws after about 3 days. But here I am again and to make up for my absence I will be posting a couple of recipes this week! Thanks for patience!

February Specials for Customers and Host

Hi Everyone,
Here is the February Customer Special!!! Yeah!! This is a beautiful stock pot and a GREAT price only $129.99, that's a $70.00 discount! Follow this link and view the flyer under Customer Special, lower right hand corner of page http://www.demarleathome.com/
Edges are reinforced and all rims are flared for non-drip pouring.
Thick aluminum is sandwiched between two stainless steel layers ensuring a fast uniform distribution of heat.
Body is made of stainless steel, specially designed to heat quickly and steadily so foods cook evenly without scorching. Also resists sticking.
Graduation marks inside for easy measuring.
Handles are made of cast stainless steel, securely welded and polished.
Handles stay cool to the touch during cooking.
Can also be used in the oven for baking.
Induction capable.
Lifetime Warranty.
We also have an amazing Host Special this month as well. There are a lot of extras being offered, even the new Magnetic Measuring Duo. Follow this link and view the flyer, http://content.demarleathome.com/page/host_specials
If you have been considering being a Host this is the month to do it! I only have 3 dates left, so book soon if you would like to Host a party!

Valentine Dinner's

Last Friday I had a Party. It was actually more of a "show and tell", we cooked three dinners and made two desserts. Below are the recipes, in case you didn't make it. The food was so yummy! I forgot to take pics of the fish and chicken and we ate it all. Next time I make it I will take pics and post them. The evening was a lot of fun!
It was fun to show how easy it is to prepare food using Demarle and how low calorie it is too!
Those that came really enjoyed it and are excited for next month.

I am excited for my next "Show and Tell" which will be on Friday, February 12 at 6:30pm. Please come and bring a friend! There will be a raffle, lots of food, and more learning. I will also be showing the new products that came out the 1st of February!
P.S. The pictures posted are of the Peachy Pork, Fancy Ice Cream and Heart Shaped Cake.

Valentine’s Dinner #1

Peachy Pork Chops

2 pork chops, no bone

½ cup canned peaches

¼ cup reserved syrup from peaches

2 TBLS Traeger BBQ Rub

Rub both sides of pork chop with BBQ rub, place in pan. Mash peach pieces, and mix with syrup, spoon over pork chops. Cover and bake in Crockpot on low for 6-8 hours OR in oven on 350 degrees for 1 ½ to 2 hours. Remove from oven and serve.

Rice

1 cup long grain rice

2 cups water

Combine ingredients in Round Mold, cover with Octagonal Silpat. Microwave on high for 15 minutes. Let sit for 3-5 minutes and then serve. You can add Herbs, spices or replace the water with chicken broth. You can also increase or decrease the recipe as needed.

Sautéed Green Beans

2 cups frozen or fresh green beans

1 clove garlic

½ tsp salt

1 TBLS butter OR

½ TBLS olive oil

Crush, mash or chop garlic put it, salt, butter or olive oil in round mold. Cover with octagonal Silpat, microwave on high for 30 seconds. Add green beans, mix to cover green beans and microwave on high for 2-4 minutes, or till desired doneness is reached. Serve and enjoy!!

510 Calories

Valentine’s Dinner #2

Crusted Chicken Breast

½ cup Italian bread crumbs

½ cup grated parmesan cheese

1 tsp. garlic powder or Mrs. Dash Garlic and Herb

1 egg

2 chicken breast

1 TBLS melted butter

Beat egg in dish, mix bread crumbs, parmesan cheese, and garlic together in separate dish. Dip chicken breast in egg mixture, then put into bread crumb mixture, be sure to cover both sides. Place breaded chicken breast in desired mold and drizzle with melted butter. Bake in 350 degree oven for 30 minutes. Serve immediately.

Mashed Potatoes – Microwave Style

2 large baker potatoes

½ cup milk OR ¼ plain yogurt

4 TBLS butter or margarine

Salt

Pepper

*Chives, parsley, garlic or other herb (optional)

Peel potatoes, cut into large chucks and rinse under cold water. Put in Round mold and cover with Octagonal Silpat. Put in microwave on High and cook for 5-10 minutes or till they can be smashed with a fork. Remove from microwave and mash with potato masher, add remaining ingredients and mix together. Serve!

Sautéed Spinach with Garlic Butter

6 cups fresh spinach

1 clove garlic, chopped or mashed

2 TBLS butter

Place butter in Round Mold, add garlic, place octagonal Silpat over the top of the mold and microwave on high for 30 seconds. Add spinach, put Silpat over the top of the mold and microwave at 30 second increments till spinach is wilted. Stir to cover with garlic and butter, serve immediately.

580 Calories

Valentine’s Dinner #3

Baked Tilapia

2 Tilapia fillets

2 TBLS butter, margarine or olive oil

1 TBLS Mrs. Dash Herb & Garlic or Traeger Beef Shake(my favorite)

Defrost Tilapia in sink for 30 minutes. Rinse fish with cold water, pat dry, rub both sides with seasoning. Place on Flexipat drizzle with melted butter (margarine or olive oil). Put in 400 degree oven for 20 minutes. Remove from oven and serve immediately.

Steamed Broccoli

2-3 cups broccoli, cut up

1 TBLS butter, margarine, or olive oil

Salt

Pepper

Place broccoli in Round mold, put Octagonal Silpat over the top. DO NOT add any water or liquid! Cook on high in microwave for 1-3 minutes. Remove from microwave, be careful when lifting Silpat, escaping steam will burn you! Season with desire seasoning and butter. Serve!!

Roasted Red Potatoes

2 medium size red potatoes

2 TBLS Traeger Beef Rub

1 TBLS olive oil

Cut up potatoes into bite size chunks, put into a Ziplock bag or bowl, add olive oil and seasoning. Mix till all potato pieces are covered in oil and seasoning. Transfer to Silpat, put in 400 degree oven for 20 minutes or till potatoes are fork tender.

420 calories

Valentine’s Desserts

Microwave Chocolate Cake

Devil’s Food cake mix

3 eggs

16 oz. sour cream or plain yogurt

10 full size Reese’s peanut butter cups, wrappers removed

Mix all ingredients together except for peanut butter cups. Pour half of mixture into Bundt mold, press peanut butter cups into batter and pour remaining mix over the top. Bake in microwave on high for approximately 10 minutes. When done, remove from microwave and allow to cool for 5-10 minutes. Invert onto plate and drizzle with ganache. Enjoy!!!

Super Easy Chocolate Ganache Recipe

12 ounces semisweet or bittersweet chocolate, chopped finely (or use chips)

1/2 pint of heavy whipping cream

2 tablespoons unsalted butter

1/4 teaspoon vanilla

1 tablespoon of flavoring, such as espresso or bourbon (optional)

Pour chopped chocolate (or chocolate chips) into a metal mixing bowl. Stirring constantly, heat whipping cream, butter and vanilla in a small saucepan to just about boiling, but don’t let it actually come to a boil. You should see bubbles forming around the edges of the pot. If you’re using a thermometer, heat it to about 180 degrees. Immediately pour hot cream mixture over chocolate and use a small whisk to mix until completely smooth. Add flavorings, if you’re using them. Makes about 2 cups of ganache.

Fancy Ice Cream

1 pint vanilla (or any other flavor) ice cream

½ cup frozen raspberries ( any frozen berry will work)

Chocolate shavings (optional)

Raspberry sauce (optional)

Soften ice cream in microwave, 30 seconds, mix in berries. Using Demarle Spatula spoon into Brioche Tray, cover with Medium Silpat. Freeze for 1 hour or up to 3 days. Using a warm washcloth on the bottom of the mold, invert onto plate. Decorate with berry sauce and chocolate shavings! Serve immediately.

Heart Shaped Cake

1 box cake mix

1 can vanilla frosting

Flower Mold

Mix and bake cake according to directions on box. When is it cooled, cut into fourths (this creates the heart shape), frost and decorate. We used chocolate shavings(chocolate chips chopped up) and raspberry syrup.