Amazing Beef Stew

This is the best beef stew we've ever had. I think you will really enjoy this recipe, which is adapted from the Classic Slow Cooker Beef Stew from the December 2013 issue of Cooking Light. My recipe does not use a slow cooker, but I've included those instructions in the comments if that is your preference.

Sourdough Starter - A Quick Start Guide

Since so many of my posts lately have included a starter, I thought I should include a quick guide to starting and maintaining a starter, mainly to show how easy it really is. This post is not an all-inclusive sourdough starter resource, but rather a general overview which includes links to other websites and blogs that can fill in the gaps. 

This is my starter and when I am using it, it sits right here on my stove.   

Here are the steps you will need to take to have a fully functioning starter in your kitchen (Yes, you can do this)!! Recipes included below too, see Step 3. :)

Sourdough Bierocks and Empanadas

My friend, LeAnn, shared a wonderful bierock recipe with me. The ingredients are very simple and the end result is so delicious. I did substitute my own recipe for the dough since I am trying to ensure all my grains are prepared to maximize their nutritional benefit. I was worried the substitution might change the taste overall, but it did not. In fact, this dough is really wonderful and very close in taste to my friend's original recipe.

 

It was so good that I started filling it with all kinds of yummy stuff. So, you'll find the recipes below for Bierocks and also for Bacon Cheeseburger Empanadas and a *bonus* for Breakfast Empanadas in the Comments. I am sure you will also come up with lots of delicious fillings for this wonderful dough - please leave your ideas in the comments.

Lemony Sour Cream Sourdough Crepes

This is a fabulous dessert or a decadent breakfast. I use a Parisian sourdough starter from Cultures for Health and it's worked out really great for me. It has a mild flavor and is very easy to maintain. I am incredibly happy with it. It is easy to keep a sourdough starter (I promise)! - please check out my Quick Start Guide for more information.

Banana Bread - More Awesome Version!

I have been making banana bread the same way for the past couple of years and I really like it, but my husband is not a huge fan. He says he likes banana bread, and then I make it, and I'm the only one that eats it. It's totally annoying. So, last week I tried a new recipe and it is AMAZING!! I liked the old recipe a lot, but we really loved the new recipe. And, I'm not the only one that eats it. In fact, I was lucky to get a slice! The new recipe is from the following link and I only modified it a little bit.

Ham & Swiss Sourdough Pancakes

This is a great recipe to use up excess starter and can easily be halved. It is easy to keep a sourdough starter (I promise)! - please check out my Quick Start Guide for more information.

Leftover Cranberry Sauce Muffins

We always have leftover cranberry sauce, which I think is amazing in these muffins.

Chicken Enchilada Casserole

My husband makes really delicious chicken enchiladas from scratch, but they are quite labor intensive and so we don't have them very often. I made this recipe to be able to enjoy all the flavors of chicken enchiladas with less work.

Sweet & Spicy Stovetop Beans

I created this recipe when my husband requested a side dish of beans to go with his lunchtime serving of grilled chicken. We had recently purchased roasted Hatch green chiles from our local garden center and I thought they would go nicely with the beans.