{easy beef stroganoff}

Remember this recipe fro BBQ Pulled Pork? It was a McCormick seasoning packet that was the secret, and now I've stumbled onto their seasoning packet fr Beef Stroganoff. It tastes just like you made it from scratch, and because the stew meat is simmering all day long in the crockpot, it it is incredibly tender, and just falls apart. Yum!! I do not include the mushrooms...I am not a fan. :)

Beef Stroganoff

You Will Need:

2 lbs. stew beef, cut into 1-inch cubes
1 pkg. (8 oz.) mushrooms, halved or sliced
½ cup chopped onion
1 pkg. McCormick® Slow Cookers Beef Stroganoff Seasoning
1 cup water
1 cup sour cream (I use light, or Fat-free)

Place beef, mushrooms and onion in slow cooker.

Mix Seasoning and water until blended. Pour over beef and vegetables; toss to coat well. Cover.

Cook 8 hours on LOW or 4 hours on HIGH. Stir in sour cream until well blended. Cover. Cook 10 minutes longer on LOW. Serve over noodles, if desired.

Makes 10 servings.

{summer salads}

Summer = Salads!! Here are a few of my favorites...

Chicken Pasta Salad

Everyone has a favorite chicken salad, and this is just one of mine. It takes a little more time to make, but definitely worth the effort.

1 1/2 lbs. chicken breasts, marinated overnight in:

1/2 c. olive oil
1/4 c. red wine vinegar
1 tsp. Dijon mustard
1 tsp. crushed garlic
1 tsp. dried basil
1/4 tsp. thyme

Grill the chicken, then cut up into 1/2 inch cubes.

Salad:

20 oz. multi-colored corkscrew pasta
1 c. broccoli, cut into small pieces
1/2 c. purple onion, diced
1/2 c. green pepper, chopped
1/2 c. red pepper, chopped
1 c. celery, chopped
1/4 c. + 1 T. freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Grilled, marinated chicken

Dressing:

1/2 c. olive oil
4 T. lemon juice
1/2 c. mayo
2/3 c. sour cream

Combine salad ingredients, toss with dressing. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

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Hawaiian Chicken Salad

Talk about refreshing!

3-4 cooked chicken, cubed
3 c. cooked rice
1 1/2 c. chopped celery
1 can pineapple tidbits, drained
1 can mandarin oranges, drained
1 c. slivered and toasted almonds
1 1/2 c. red grapes, halves

Dressing:
2 T. orange juice
2 T. red wine vinegar
1 tsp. salt
1 1/2 c. mayonnaise

Mix dressing together and pour over chicken. Add remaining ingredients. Mix well, and chill at least 2 hours.

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Peanut Thai Noodle Salad

1/4 c. lime juice
1/4 c. soy sauce
1/4 c. honey
1/4 c. unsalted peanuts

Place in blender; blend until smooth.

2 carrots
1 c. pea pods
1 small red pepper

Cut into matchsticks.

8 oz. fusilli pasta

Cook pasta according to package directions, add vegetables to water during last 3 minutes of cooking time. Drain water from pasta and veggies, then toss with sauce. Sprinkle peanuts on top to serve.

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Frog Eye Salad

I have loved this salad since I was a child, despite its name. :)

1 1/3 c. (8 oz.) Acini Pepi pasta, uncooked
1-20 oz. can pineapple chunks, drained (reserve 1/4 c. juice)
1 3/4 c. milk
1/4 c. sugar
1-3.4 oz. package instant vanilla pudding
1-8 oz. can crushed pineapple, drained
2-11 oz. cans mandarin oranges, drained
2 c. Cool Whip, thawed
3 c. mini marshmallows (optional)
1/2 c. flaked coconut

Cook pasta 11 minutes. Rinse with cold water, drain well. In a large bowl, beat reserved pineapple juice, milk, sugar, and pudding 2 minutes. Gently stir in pasta and remaining ingredients; cover and refrigerate at least 5 hours. Makes 12 servings.