Hardy Beef Stew

Christmas Eve was very cold here in Florida. I decided that we needed to have some good comfort food. I thought a hardy beef stew with mashed potatoes would really worm us up. I cooked the meat in the Crock Pot all day. The meat was so tender and the gravy was full of flavor.

1 three pound beef roast, cut into chunks
4 cups of beef broth
1 onion cut into chunks
1 green bell pepper cut into chunks
4 large carrots cut into chunks
8 mushrooms sliced
2 tablespoons of corn starch
¼ cup of parsley chopped.
Salt and pepper to taste

I added the meat and the beef broth to the Crock Pot and let it cook for four hours. After the four hours the meat is very tender. At that point add the Vegetables starting with the ones that cook the longest. Example: 1st carrots, green peppers, onions then mushrooms. Cook for two hours. Mix the cornstarch with ¼ cup of water and stir into the stew. Add salt and pepper to taste.

It is a tradition every year that my Father in-law and Mother in-law give us a Honey Baked Ham. That has become our family Christmas dinner. This year I served it with stuffing, corn and spinach.

Christmas Eve dinner and Christmas Day Dinner

Christmas Eve was very cold here in Florida. I decided that we needed to have some good comfort food. I thought a hardy beef stew with mashed potatoes would really worm us up. I cooked the meat in the Crock Pot all day. The meat was so tender and the gravy was full of flavor.

1 three pound beef roast, cut into chunks
4 cups of beef broth
1 onion cut into chunks
1 green bell pepper cut into chunks
4 large carrots cut into chunks
8 mushrooms sliced
2 tablespoons of corn starch
¼ cup of parsley chopped.
Salt and pepper to taste

I added the meat and the beef broth to the Crock Pot and let it cook for four hours. After the four hours the meat is very tender. At that point add the Vegetables starting with the ones that cook the longest. Example: 1st carrots, green peppers, onions then mushrooms. Cook for two hours. Mix the cornstarch with ¼ cup of water and stir into the stew. Add salt and pepper to taste.

It is a tradition every year that my Father in-law and Mother in-law give us a Honey Baked Ham. That has become our family Christmas dinner. This year I served it with stuffing, corn and spinach.

There is a very happy little boy

Christmas was so wonderful.  I love the reactions of our little boy and making his dreams came true.  When he sent his wish list Santa he only listed one item. He told me to write a letter to Santa so he could be surprised with everything else he gets.

He was very surprised that he received things that he loves.

The past two years on Christmas Eve, the Cisco Kid has left Santa a letter with his cookies.  This year he wanted to know if he was naughty or nice. 

We were in Target the Tuesday before Christmas and The Cisco Kid saw a toy that he really wanted. We told him that Santa is watching and he might bring him the toy. On Christmas morning when he opened that toy he said, Wow!!! Santa is really watching me. The Cisco Kid is a true believer. 

To make our Christmas very special Grandma and Grandpa came to spend the holiday with us.

Christmas Eve we got an unexpected visit from some friends. They tried to sneak up to the house. They parked down the street so they wouldn't be seen until they rang the bell. We spotted them and as soon as we opened the door they started to sing Jingle bells. They brought the most delicious deserts.

The Cisco Kid made a Ginger bread train.

Christmas Brunch

Today is great to spend time with family. My in laws are in town and we are always happy they are available to come and visit. I do so much cooking for Thanksgiving that I take it easy for Christmas. Christmas day we start out with a brunch of egg soufflé. The egg soufflé is prepared 24 hours in advance. When Christmas morning rolls around all I have to do is mix two ingredients together and put it in the oven. This is the most delicious egg soufflé.

My laws have a tradition and send all their children a honey baked ham for Christmas. Christmas dinner we have the honey baked ham with creamed spinach and stuffing.

I sautéed the veggies in a small amount of bacon grease.

12 oz. bacon, fried crispy and crumbled.

2 1/2 cups of half & half

4 large eggs

1/4 teaspoon dry mustard

3 cups croutons

2 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

1 can condensed cream of mushroom soup

2/3 cup of half and halt to mix with cream of mushroom soup.

1. Grease a 13 x 9-inch baking dish and add croutons. Set aside.

2. Cook bacon in a large skillet until browned. drain, crumble and set aside.

3. Sauté 1/2 green bell pepper, cut into small chunks. Set aside

4. Sauté 1/2 onion, cut into small chunks. Set aside

5. Sauté 8 mushrooms sliced. Set aside

6. In a medium bowl combine milk, eggs and dry mustard; mix well. Pour over croutons.

7. Add crumbled bacon and spread evenly over the top.

8. Add cheddar cheese on top. Then layer all the remaining vegetables.

9. Cover and refrigerate overnight.

10. Preheat oven to 300°F .

11. In a medium bowl, combine condensed soup and half and half . Spread on top of casserole. Bake, uncovered, for 90 minutes or until casserole is set and lightly browned.

Makes 8 servings