Thursday Night Menu: Beef Stew & Biscuits

There seems to be caramel apple dip on my computer keyboard. I don’t want to talk about it. Anyway, it is time for the Thursday menu.  In honor of the fall colors, it’s time to break out the slowcooker and make a traditional menu. How nice is it to come home from a day’s work or outdoor chores like raking leaves and have a hearty beef stew waiting for you? Add some biscuits and baked apples and you have the perfect fall dinner. On the board tonight:

1. Beef Stew
2. Wheat Biscuits
3. Baked Apples

Beef Stew

• 1 lb lean stew meat
• 1 small onion, quartered
• 4-6 small potatoes, quartered
• 8 oz baby carrots, halved
• pinch of rosemary
• 2 bay leaves (remove before serving)
• ½ tsp ea. salt & pepper
• 1 tsp crushed garlic
• 7 cups water
• 3 tbsp flour

slowcooker

Place meat, onion, potatoes, carrots & spices in slowcooker, add 6 cups water and cook according to slowcooker directions, (usually 8 to 10 hours on low). Before serving, turn heat to high, mix 1 cup water and flour completely, add to stew, stirring constantly, and cook until thickened.

Wheat Biscuits

• 1-1/2 cups white flour
• ½ cup whole wheat flour
• 4 tsp baking powder
• ¾ tsp salt
• 1/3 cup shortening
• ¾ cup milk

large bowl and baking sheet

Mix dry ingredients together, cut in shortening, add milk. Stir quickly with a fork until completely moistened, don’t over mix. Kneed gently on floured surface for 10-12 strokes. Roll out to ½ inch thick, cut into biscuits. Place on baking sheet and bake at 450° for 10-12 minutes, until golden brown.

Baked Apples

• 4 large apples (McIntosh, Honey Crisp, Gala, etc)
• 4 cinnamon stick
• ¼ cup raisins

glass baking dish

Core apples, place in baking dish, fill each core with a cinnamon stick and a few raisins. Add 1inch of water and bake at 425° until tender (about 30 minutes, though it depends on the size of the apple).

This menu serves 4.

Shopping List:

• 1 lb lean stew meat
• 1 small onion
• 4-6 small potatoes
• 8 oz baby carrots
• 1/3 cup shortening
• 4 large apples (McIntosh, Honey Crisp, Gala, etc)
• 4 cinnamon sticks
• ¼ cup raisins

Also: rosemary, bay leaves, salt, pepper, garlic, white flour, wheat flour, baking powder, and milk