Crockpot Beef Stew

Hello Mamas! In case some of you are thinking WHO IS AMY? I am Bonki's younger sister. Thanks for letting me share some of your recipes. They are very tasty. I have made this beef stew twice now so I thought I would share it with you guys. My little Lola loves it and begs for more (okay, so she's a dog...maybe not the most discerning audience, but I think it's delicious!) ENJOY!

From the Better Homes and Gardens Crockery Cookbook

2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 pound beef or pork stew meat, cut into 1-inch cubes (I've used beef both times)
2 tablespoons cooking oil

2 1/4 cups cubed, peeled potatoes
2 cups sliced carrots
1 cup sliced celery
1/2 cup chopped onion
2 teaspoons instant beef bouillon granules
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon dried basil, crushed
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme, crushed
2 1/2 cups vegetable juice

1. Place flour in a plastic bag. Add meat cubes, shaking to coat meat with flour. In a large skillet brown meat, half at a time, in hot oil. Drain off fat.

2. Meanwhile, in the bottom of a 4 quart crockpot layer potatoes, carrots, celery, and onion. Sprinkle with bouillon granules, garlic, basil, and thyme; add meat. Pour vegetable juice over meat.

3. Cover; cook on low setting for 7-8 hours or on high-heat setting for 3 1/2-4 1/2 hours or until meat and vegetables are tender.
Makes 4 servings. For an easy meal, serve with biscuits and a mixed green salad.

Baja Bites

Bonki had asked me for this breakfast casserole recipe. They are super easy and a little different. I made them for Whitney's shower back in March.

Baja Bites

5 eggs
1 cup cottage cheese
1/4 cup margarine, melted
1/4 cup flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
1 cup grated colby cheese
4 oz can chopped green chilis
1 cup grated monterey jack cheese

In large bowl, beat eggs and add other ingredients. Pour into greased 8" square pan. Bake 30-40 minutes in 350 oven until firm in the center and slightly brown. Cool and cut into 1" squares for a bite-size (no fork needed) appetizer. This recipe easily doubles and then make it in a jelly roll pan.

Caramel Corn

Here is the Caramel Corn from Angie's Shower. Enjoy!

3 large bags microwave popcorn
2/3 c. Karo
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. vanilla
1 c. butter (use real butter, not margarine)
2 c brown sugar
1 tsp soda

Pop bags of popcorn according to instructions on bag and remove all loose kernels. Divide popcorn in ½ and put into 2 large roasting pans (disposable ones work great!)

In a large saucepan combine Karo, salt, vanilla, butter and brown sugar. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium and boil for 5 minutes, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and add soda. Mix well and pour ½ of mixture over each pan of popcorn. Stir. Bake at 250 for 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes. Once it’s finishes, stir a few more times until it is completely cooled.