Low Carb Philly Cheese Steak

Who likes Philly Cheese Steak Sandwiches?  I do!  But I also like quick and easy meals after work.  I'll let you in on my little secret to a quick and easy plate of goodness! And to keep it low carb, I'm fine with skipping the bread.  But if you just gotta have some bread, then Pinterest is your friend for finding a low carb bread recipe!

 Low Carb Philly Cheese Steak 

Servings 2

Ingredients:

1 Tablespoon butter
1/4 cup sliced onion
1 green bell pepper sliced
1/2 pound shaved deli roast beef
3/4 cups beef broth
1/4 teaspoon xanthum gum
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
4 slices provolone cheese

Directions:

In a medium skillet, melt the butter and add the sliced onion and green bell pepper slices.

Saute until the onions are transparent.

Meanwhile, slice the deli beef into strips.
Add the sliced beef to the pan along with the beef broth, xanthum gum.  Continue to stir and saute until the meat is heated through and the broth thickens into a gravy.

Add the 4 slices of provolone cheese on top and let it melt.

Slide half of it onto your plate and dig in!

....and that's What's Cooking at Cathy's ~ Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts
Servings 2.0
Amount Per Serving
calories 368
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 19 g	29 %
Saturated Fat 12 g	58 %
Monounsaturated Fat 4 g
Polyunsaturated Fat 0 g
Trans Fat 0 g
Cholesterol 99 mg	33 %
Sodium 990 mg	41 %
Potassium 653 mg	19 %
Total Carbohydrate 9 g	3 %
Dietary Fiber 2 g	9 %
Sugars 3 g
Protein 40 g	79 %
Vitamin A	15 %
Vitamin C	86 %
Calcium	45 %
Iron	12 %

Microwave Beef Stew

Let me begin by saying that this is not a quick recipe.  It is cooked in the microwave, but on a lower power.  I know it seems odd to use a microwave for lengthy cooking, but this beef stew is delicious and worth it!  It's very easy, you just layer the ingredients in the casserole, pour the liquid mixture over the top, pop it in the microwave and let it cook.  No checking, no peeking!  Do be sure you have a large covered casserole before undertaking this recipe.

I got this recipe from my mother, who received it when she took a class after purchasing her new microwave well over 15 years ago.  A local appliance store offered a class with the purchase of a new microwave.  I don't know that I've known of any stores doing that then or since that time.  Between mom and I we have made this stew dozens of times. 

The stew is perfect for chilly winter evenings,  Pair it with a nice salad and some crusty bread for a hearty meal.

Meatloaf Patties

It's a new year and I am among the many folks vowing to change their eating habits and to get more exercise. I've done this before, I can and will do it again but this time I'm determined that those pounds go away and stay away for good!  They are not welcome back nor can they bring their friends.

I started my journey about two weeks ago along with a life long friend.  We are determined to keep each other on track, though our strategies differ somewhat.  I know that I have a weakness for desserts and sweet treats as well as pasta and home baked breads.  I have given those things up for now, but I am looking to learn alternative ways to still enjoy them with different ingredients.
As I find recipes that I try and like, I will share them.

One of the things I do to help myself is to do the majority of my food preparation on the weekend.  I will spend 3-4 hours in the kitchen and cook everything for the week, so all that is needed is a quick warm up.  Keep fresh veggies for munching at hand as well, for those times that I just want to gnaw on something but am not really hungry because those calories can add up fast!!

Last weekend I made meatloaf patties.  These have been perfect for packing in my lunch for work as well as quick suppers this week.  How many of you like cold meatloaf...go ahead raise your hand, it is okay.  I like it too and it makes a great sandwich.

In thinking about the big game day tomorrow and many of you having parties, I thought that these would be great for sliders for a party, so if you are looking for something a little different, get yourself some mini-buns and give this a try.  Obviously, you'd need to make them smaller, but I'm sure they would be a hit.

I have already posted the meatloaf recipe on the blog.  You can find it here.  The only difference is that I measured out my meatloaf mixture into 4 ounce patties and topped them with the following mixture and baked them in the oven in a broiler rack.

Beef Tips and Noodles

Comfort food...Mmm.  We all have our favorites.  This recipe is one of mine and since it was cold day yesterday it seemed like the perfect opportunity to pull out this recipe.  It is not all "from scratch", utilizing canned soup and mixes, but it is easy and tasty.

I made my noodles from scratch, but if you prefer you can buy noodles.

Crock-pot Cube Steak

This past week we had 80 degree temperatures followed up with a hard freeze!  When I went to work one day it was summer and when I left work it was winter.  I think I have whiplash!

With the return of cool (okay cold) weather, my thoughts of food head straight to warming comfort foods, you know things that warm you from the inside out.

Lately, my kitchen time has been limited due to a cabinet refinishing project (you've might have noticed I've missed a few weeks..sorry, I am feeling guilty), I needed to get a little more creative with meal preparation.   To help me, I turned to my crock-pot.  This is one helpful appliance and I should rely on mine more than I do.

This weekend, I purchased cube steaks at the grocery to make this quick and easy recipe (never mind that I had to explain to the fellow behind the meat counter that cube steak was not hamburger steak).

The end result doesn't look stellar on the plate, but you'll quickly forget about the lack of beauty attributes and photogenic qualities once you dig into a gravy slathered bite.  Of course you have to have mashed potatoes to accompany it to take advantage of the wonderful gravy!  Seconds please!

Meat Loaf

When I think of comfort food, many things come to mind but to me nothing says comfort food more than meat loaf.

I've tried various recipes for meat loaf,  but I always come back to this well worn recipe. 


Meat loaf is good hot from the oven with mashed potatoes, and your favorite veggies, but it also wonderful as a cold sandwich with a side of fruit for a quick lunch.  Presuming you have leftovers, of course!

I wanted to make sure I had plenty left over for reheating for suppers during the work week, as well as have it as an option for my brown bag lunches.

A trip to Costco and I was all set.  Burgers on the grill for supper, a couple of pounds bagged in the freezer for later and 3 pounds set aside in a large crockery mixing bowl to turn into a delicious meat loaf.

Cathy's Vegetable Soup

Most of us think of soup as a winter dish.  However, with the modern convenience of air conditioning, soup is really appropriate all year round. 

I love soups and make them often.  It makes preparing supper a breeze after a long day at work and because it makes so much, I enjoy the leftovers packed for my lunch.

This soup is quick, easy and healthy. I threw it together one afternoon when I didn't know what to fix for dinner. 

This recipe and chili are the soups I most frequently prepare.
You can easily adjust this to use ingredients what you have on hand.  I typically use both ground beef and ground turkey, but you can also use all ground beef if you prefer. 
Like my chili, I always just make this, never following a written recipe (not that I'd necessarily follow it precisely if I had one).  Today, while making the soup, I decided to measure and write down the ingredients and directions so I could share it with you.

I missed adding beef soup base to my shopping list so I had to use beef broth today. It isn't necessary to use soup base but it adds a richer flavor to the soup that I prefer.

Like many soups, this one gets better with age, so get out your biggest soup pot and make it a day ahead so the flavors have a chance to fully develop.

Cathy's Vegetable Soup

Ingredients:

1 lb. lean ground turkey
1 lb. lean ground beef
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon pepper
1 1/2 cups chopped onion
2 cups shredded carrots (I buy them pre-shredded)
6 cups shredded cabbage (1/2 a medium sized head)
3 15 oz. cans of pinto beans
1 15 oz. can of tomato sauce
8 cups of beef soup base
1 1/2 teaspoons thyme
1/2 teaspoon fennel seed

Directions:

1. Add the olive oil to a large stock pot.  Place over medium heat. 
2. Add the ground turkey, ground beef, chopped onion, salt and pepper to the pot and cook, crumbling meat until it is browned.
3. Drain any fat from the pan.
4. Add carrots, pinto beans, tomato sauce and beef broth to the pan, stirring to mix ingredients.
5. Add fennel seed and thyme and shredded cabbage.
6. Stir to mix well.
7. Reduce heat to low and simmer until cabbage and carrots are cooked.
8. Sample and adjust seasonings to taste.

Serve with a sprinkling of freshly grated parmesan and crusty loaf of bread.