Simple Saturday: Simple Beef Stroganoff

This is a great meal to make-ahead and toss in your slow cooker in the morning, for a great dinner all ready when you get home.  Or, make this a 15-minute meal by browning the beef in a skillet, then mixing in the other ingredients.  Either way, it will be simple and delicious!

Ingredients

• 2 T Onion Onion
• 1 T Garlic Garlic
• 1 tsp Seasoned Salt
• 1.5 lbs cubed beef stew meat
• 14.5 oz can beef broth
• 2 tsp Worcestershire Sauce
• 7.3 oz jar sliced mushrooms
• Ground black pepper to taste
• 1 cup sour cream
• 4 c egg noodles, uncooked

Make-Ahead Preparation

• Combine Onion Onion through pepper in a gallon-sized freezer bag.
• Measure sour cream into a sandwich-sized freezer bag.
• Measure egg noodles into sandwich-sized freezer bag.
• Combine all bags into another - seal and freeze.

To Serve

• Thaw completely.
• Place beef mixture into a greased slow cooker.  Cook on low 8 hours (or more, up to 10).
• Stir in sour cream just before serving.
• Cook noodles according to package directions.
• Spoon beef mixture over cooked noodles and enjoy.

Serves: 4

Keeping It Simple: Garlic Buttered Steak

Memorial Day began in the late 1800's after the Civil War as a day to commemorate soldiers who had died on both sides of the north-south battlefield.  Its first date was specifically chosen because it was not the date of a battle.  Originally known as "Decoration Day," the traditional ritual of remembrance involved decorating the graves of Civil War soldiers.  After World War I, the scope expanded to include all soldiers who had died in the line of duty, and by 1967, Memorial Day was the holiday's official, congressionally-ordained title.

Of course, the traditional celebration of this holiday has morphed in the almost 150 years since its inception, and many of us take the three-day weekend as an opportunity to spend time with friends and family and enjoy that beautiful spring weather that will soon give way to a full-blown summer.  First and foremost, we hope you'll take some time today to pause and remember those who have sacrificed their lives to defend ours.  And then, in the midst of fully appreciating what they've given us, make every minute you spend with your loved ones today, and every day, count.

So today, we give you a great summer grilling recipe that is about as simple - yet delicious - as it gets.

Grandma Peterson's Flank Steak Marinade

My grandmother, Mary Louise (Ice) Peterson,
with my grandfather, Clyde Peterson.

Today's recipe happens to be particularly near and dear to me, as it's my grandma Peterson's famous flank steak marinade.  I'm not sure how the recipe came to her, but this one has been a classic in my family since long before I was born.  The recipe and preparation are so simple, but the results so tender, juicy, and delicious!

What's more is that, from a make-ahead perspective, it really doesn't get any better than this.  The preparation is a snap.  You can easily make very large quantities.  It only takes a few minutes to make.  It will freeze brilliantly for months, or even more (if you seal it right).  And of course, the result is so completely delectable, your family will wonder what this brilliant chef has done with their mother.