Sometimes what is best for your well being is take steps to make tasks easier. Cooking dinner for your family may just be one of those tasks.
I had planned on making a beef stew tonight for dinner but when it came right down to it, I didn’t keep enough time in my day to make it completely from scratch. I didn’t get started on it soon enough to let it cook for hours in the slow cooker so instead I used a seasoning packet and a 1-hour and 45-minute cook time on the stove top.
By using a seasoning packet with the recipe on the back, I took the pressure off. I will have a yummy dinner on a chilly night without needing to find a recipe, search for seasonings and a trip to the store because for sure I don’t have the right spices. I reduced the stress of the day! I gave myself permission to have semi-homemade.
There is nothing wrong with taking this shortcut. Take a minute to consider your days this next week and if there are ways to make a semi-homemade meal instead of stressing or having unhealthy fast food.
Beef Stew Recipe
2 lbs of stew beef, cut into cubes
1/4 cup all purpose flour
2-3 tbsp olive oil
1 seasoning packet (I used McCormick)
3.5 cups of water
5-6 cups of chopped up veggies (potatoes, celery, carrots, mushrooms) Onions could go here but I don’t like them so I left them out! I also added a 1/2 cup of frozen peas in the last 7-10 minutes of cooking.
Instructions:
- Coat chopped beef in flour.
- Heat oil in heavy bottom pan. Like a large pasta pan.
- Add meat to heated oil and brown on all sides
- Stir in seasoning packet and water. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat simmer for 45-50 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Chop all veggies. Add veggies to beef mixture and continue cooking for another 60 minutes.
- Continue stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
- If you desire a thicker stew, add a few tablespoons of water to one tablespoon of flour, stir until smooth and add it to the stew, stirring constantly. Cook for an additional 3 minutes.
Enjoy! Here’s to your wellness and living a life you love! ~Amy