WF/ GF Beef Vegetable Soup

My primary rule for food budgeting is no meat over $1.99 lb. That means whenever ground round is on sale for $1.59 at our neighborhood store I buy the freezer full. This recipe came about as a creative use for all that ground beef. Though the weather is getting warmer, we're still having rainy cold days that are perfect for a tasty soup with garlic toast.

WF/ GF Beef Vegetable Soup
1 lb ground round or chuck
1 tablespoon gluten-free beef bouillon granules
2 or 3 tablespoons corn starch, depending on how thick you want this
1 15 oz can each (do not drain liquids):
petite diced tomatoes
peas and carrots
corn
cut green beans
1 - 2 cups water, depending on your personal preference

In 5-quart dutch oven, cook ground beef until brown. Drain fat except about 2 tablespoons. Add beef bouillon and corn starch to meat in pot, mix well. Stir in remaining ingredients and bring to boil. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer about 20-30 minutes. Serve with garlic toast made with wheat-free bread.

Wheat-Free Comfort Food- Meatloaf

Meatloaf is one of those basic foods you have to have every so often. It's also one of the foods you just can't order when eating out. So, here's the recipe with no special ingredients or food mutant modifications required. Please note- this is Wheat-Free but NOT Gluten-Free. To make gluten-free version, use a slice of wheat-free bread.

Wheat-Free Meatloaf
1 pound ground round
3/4 cup oatmeal (old-fashioned or quick cook, it doesn't matter)
1 egg
1 teaspoon beef bouillon granules
1 tablespoon wheat-free Worcestershire sauce
2-3 tablespoons ketsup

Spray non-stick cooking spray (like Pam) in loaf pan. Set aside. Preheat oven to 350°F

Take your rings off, dive in, get messy and use your hands to combine all ingredients in medium bowl. Put into prepared loaf pan and pat flat. Squirt about an additional 2 tablespoons ketsup on top and spread evenly. Bake 20-25 minutes until cooked through.

Salisbury Steak

Wow, it's been a busy couple of weeks. I don't like going so long between posts -- I'll try to do better.


Skillet Salisbury Steak serves 6
· 1 1/2 pounds ground chuck or round
· 1 tablespoon dried minced onion
· 1 teaspoon salt
· 1/2 teaspoon dried marjoram leaves, crushed
· 2-3 twists of fresh cracked pepper
· 2 c WF Gravy (see below)
· 1 can (3 to 4 ounces) sliced mushrooms, drained
· 2 tablespoons red wine, optional

In a large bowl combine beef, onion, salt, marjoram, and pepper; mix well. Divide meat into 6 portions; shape into thin oval patties.
Brown each side of Salisbury steak in skillet. Prepare gravy as directed below; stir in mushrooms and wine, if using. Heat through. Pour gravy over Salisbury steak patties, cover and simmer on low heat about 10 minutes until cooked through. Serve with potatoes.

WF Gravy
2 c boiling water
2 tsp beef bouillon
1 Tblsp corn starch

Dissolve beef bouillon in water. Reserve 1/2 cup broth in heat-proof measuring cup. Stir in corn starch until smooth. Pour corn starch mix back into bouillon and heat to boiling, stirring constantly. Reduce heat, stir and simmer over med-low heat until thickened.

WF Bacon-Cheeseburger Hamburger Helper (Almost)

The base mix for this is from the recipe Almost Hamburger Helper on cdkitchen.com website. There are several variations including Chili Mac, Beef Stroganoff and Quick Lasagna. In looking for a something different, I created this version:

Bacon Cheeseburger Almost Hamburger Helper
1 pound ground chuck or round, browned and drained
1/2 pound bacon; cooked, drained and crumbled
2 Tblsp dried minced onion
1/2 cup Almost Hamburger Helper mix
1 15 oz can tomato sauce
1 Tblsp ketsup
2 cups Bionaturae Penne pasta- uncooked
2 cups water
1 1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese

Combine all ingredients except cheese in large skillet, bring to boil. Reduce heat, cover and simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat when sauce is cooked and pasta is al dente. Sprinkle cheese liberally over all, re-cover for about 5 minutes and let set. Makes about 6 servings.

Almost Hamburger Helper Mix
2 cups nonfat dry milk
1 cup corn starch
1/4 cup beef bouillon powder
2 tablespoons onion flakes
1 teaspoon dried basil
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon black pepper
2 tablespoons dried parsley
1 tablespoon garlic powder

Mix all ingredients together and store in airtight container. Use as a base in the recipe above or others at cdkitchen.com