Apple and Beef Stew

Whenever I make slow roast beef, apple is always a special ingredient. The sweetness of apple makes wonder to any dish. So, when I started cooking stew, apple was one of the main ingredients. Apple and Beef stew is a comfort food for my family. It is so easy to make and always a hit with my picky husband and kids.

Ingredients:

• 1 lbs. beef chuck, dice
• 1 red apple, peeled, seeded, dice
• 1 ½ c. potato, peeled, dice
• 1 c. carrot, peeled, dice
• 1 bell pepper, seeded, dice
• ½ c. canned garbanzos
• 2 T. tomato paste
• 1 can Progresso Vegetable Classic Hearty Tomato Soup
• 1 T. lemon juice
• 2 bay leaves
• 2 sprigs fresh thyme
• 1 T. fresh parsley chopped
• Salt and pepper to taste
• ¼ c grated cheddar cheese

Preparation:

1. In a pot or Dutch oven, heat oil. Sauté onion and garlic. Add beef, let brown. 
2. Add the Progresso tomato soup. Let boil. Stirring constantly.
3. Add tomato paste, bay leaves, thyme. Stir, cook, cover and simmer for about 1 ½ hours or until the beef is tender.
4. When the beef is tender. Add the potatoes, carrots, lemon juice, parsley. Let boil. Simmer for another 30 minutes or until all the vegetables are done.
5. When the vegetables are done, add the bell pepper and grated cheese. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
6. Serve hot top with parsley.

Green Beans with Fried Onions

A quick and easy side dish. The crispy fried onions added an extra element to already delicious buttered green beans.

Ingredients:

• 1 c. green beans, washed, trimmed
• ¼ c. onions, thinly sliced
• ¼ c. flour
• 1 c. cooking oil
• 1 T. unsalted butter
• salt and pepper to taste

Procedure:

1. Cook the green beans in boiling salted water until tender. Shock in an ice water bath to stop the cooking and reserve.
2. Soak the onions in ice water for 1 hour.
3. Heat the oil.
4. Drain and dry the onion thoroughly.
5. Combine flour, salt and pepper. Toss the onion until coated. Shake off excess flour.
6. Deep fry the onion until golden brown and crisp. 
7. Place the onion in paper towel to remove excess oil. Sprinkle with salt to taste. Set aside.
8. Melt the butter, add the reserved beans and heat thoroughly. Add salt and pepper to taste.
9. Serve beans immediately, top with the fried onions.