IF he does not act right, he goes. Well Uncle Ben’s Boiling Bag Rice and I have parted ways. You remember my post yesterday about the Savory Pepper Steak and my problem with the rice? Gary and I went 12 miles to the nearest grocery store, Piggly Wiggly more commonly known around these parts of the woods at “The Pig.” We went to get some rice that Carol,my webmaster who is also a good cook and knows everything about cooking, web sites and such recommended. I got there and they did not have the rice I wanted so I ended up with some long grain brown rice. It looked like it would work. Tonight I boiled 1 cup rice with 2 cups water like it called for and when it got done rinsed and drained and then got the oil in the skillet warming, poured in the onions , pinch of sugar, and soy sauce then stirred for a few minutes. Dumped in the rice and started stirring like crazy. It was looking pretty good. Now the scary part.. One egg lightly beaten poured over the rice and stir like crazy.. In just a few minutes it was done.. Smelled heavenly. Put the rice on a plate and added the steak mixture over the rice and yes it was good. I am sorry Uncle Ben…You would not act right and you have to go!!! Well I will keep you for other things like rice pudding but you do not make it in the stir fried rice department..

We had a great dinner on the back porch we have glassed it.. Twinkling tiny lights on the ceiling and a dvd of a crackling fire place playing on the TV.. For a split second I was burning up watching the flames, I thought oh the power of suggestion!!! Then I realized it was only a hotflash!!!

During the holidays we ate dinner at my brother and sister in law’s house, Mike and Wanda Wheeler.  Wanda can cook.. That is just it..  I have never eaten anything at her house that was not good. This year she had some type of smothered steak over fried rice. Oh was it good.  Well I have been craving it ever since the dinner at her house.

One day this week we were at the Dollar General in Locust Fork. I will say one thing about this DG, we have been in a lot but this by far is the best yet.  It is like a mini Wal-Mart. Clean as you can imagine, neat stocked shelves with named brand items. The women there take so much pride. Well I was on the school supply section where the books are and happened to see a book, “Fix-it and Forget-it Recipes for Entertaining. Slow Cooker Favorites for all the Year Round” , by Phyllis Pellman Good and Dawn J. Ranck.  This book was $8.00.   Oh the back it goes for $16.95. I snapped it up. Told two people and ended up going back and getting two more.  Aunt Jan and Carol.. I have your book!

On page 26 there is a recipe for Savory Pepper Steak. Oh did it sound good. I thought well I will make it and stir fry my rice.  I got up this morning and prepared the recipe and put it in the crock pot.  It cooked all day long and the house smelled so nicely. Tonight I cooked the rice. I had Uncle Ben’s brown rice boil in the bag type thing.  The Savory Pepper Steak was so good.  I had all fresh ingredients.   The rice did not brown up as nicely as Wanda’s and I am going to have to check what she used.  But all in all this is 5 stars and a keeper.  There is enough for tomorrow.  If any left I will freeze it to use in soup later on..  Here is the recipe. Enjoy..it is wonderful. I plan on having all my meals for the next few months from this cookbook. Crock Pot cooking is so easy.. It is just like the book says. Fix-it and Forget it.  I am thinking about getting all the ingredients ready the night before and putting in the crock pot insert and put it in the refrigerator and then the next morning just take it out and turn it on and go on about my sewing business!

Savory Pepper Steak by Grace W. Yoder, Harrisonburg, PA

1 1/2lb beef round steak cut 1/2″ thick. ( I got cubed beef steaks from Whole Foods Market and sliced them)

1/4 cup flour

1/2 tsp. salt

1/8 tsp pepper

1 medium onion, chopped or sliced . I used finely sliced.

1 garlic clove, minced.  I have it already minced in jar.. I used 2 tablespoons more or less.

2 large green pepper, slick in 1/2″ strips. I just sliced mine and then chopped some. The recipe called for using one to cook all day and then chop the other when it gets near done. I only used one.

29- oz can whole tomatoes. I used a quart of my fresh tomatoes that I canned this summer.

1 TSPB. beef  flavor base, or 1 beef bouillon cube. I OMITTED THIS  TO MUCH SALT.

1 TBSP Light Soy Sauce

2 tsp Worcestershire sauce

3 TBSP. Flour

3 TBSP Water

1.  Cut beef into strips.

2.  Combine 1/4 cup flour, salt and pepper. Toss with beef until well coated. Place in slow cooker.

3.  Add oinions, garlic and half the green pepper slices, mix well.  I added ALL the pepper slices I did not want to be bothered later with having to chop more after I have gotten the kitchen clean.

4.  Combine tomatoes, beef base, soy sauce and Worcestershire sauce. Pour into slowe cooker.

5.   Cover. Cook on low 8 to 10 hours.

6.  One hour before serving, turn to high and stir in remaining green pepper.

7.  Combine 3 TBSP flour and 3 TBSP Water to make smooth paste. Stir into slow cooker. Cover. Cook until thickened.

8.  Serve over rice.

I give this 5*****’s    It is so good.  Tomorrow I think I am going to cook some Orzo and serve it over the Orzo.

If you cook this let me know what you think. 

Later on next week I am going to try the spaghetti sauce in the book.