Italian beef stew

2 lbs. chuck roast, cut into cubes
2 tsp. + 3 tsp. olive oil
salt and pepper to season meat
2 cans (14 oz.) Beef broth
29 oz can diced tomatoes with juice
1 T Italian seasoning
1 tsp. ground fennel seed (probably optional, but recommended)
1 large onion, chopped
1 large green pepper, chopped
2 small zucchini, halved lengthwise and sliced into thick slices
1/2 lb. (or more) mushrooms, washed and cut in thick slices or half slices
3-4 T chopped fresh or frozen basil
(Or Basil Pesto)
good quality balsamic vinegar to drizzle on at the table, optional

Heat the 2 tsp of olive oil in a large non-stick pan and brown the beef cubes over medium-high heat until the meat is browned on all sides. Season the meat with salt & black pepper as it cooks. Don't rush this step; browning the meat adds flavor. 

Add the browned meat to the stew pot. Add one can of beef broth to the frying pan and cook a minute, scraping to loosen the browned bits of meat that stick to the pan, then add that to the stew pot along with the other can of beef broth. Add the petite dice tomatoes with juice, Italian seasoning, and ground fennel. Stir. Turn heat to medium-low & simmer 60 minutes, or slightly longer if the meat doesn't feel tender when you pierce it with a fork.

While the stew simmers, peel and chop the onion and cut out the stem and seeds of the green pepper and chop. Cut ends off the zucchini, cut in half lengthwise, and cut into thick slices. Wipe mushrooms w/ wet paper towel and cut into thick slices or half slices.

When you're ready to finish the stew, heat 1 tsp. olive oil in the frying pan, add the onions and green peppers and cook a few minutes over medium-high heat, then add them to the stew. Heat the second teaspoon of olive oil, add the zucchini and cook until it's slightly browned on both sides, then add to stew. Then add the mushroom slices, cook until they have released their liquid and are starting to brown, then add to stew.

Simmer about 15 minutes, then add the chopped basil and cook a few minutes more. Serve hot, with good quality balsamic vinegar to drizzle on at the table if you'd like.

*Crockpot version:
Add browned meat to the crockpot. Cook 4 hrs on high or 6 hrs on low or until tender. Continue with remaining steps, cooking vegetables & adding them to crockpot. Cook a few more minutes in crockpot then stir in basil.

Loaded Baked Potato Soup

8 slices of bacon
1 small onion
2 cloves garlic
5-6 large potatoes - peeled and diced
2 C Chicken Broth
3/4 C butter
3/4 C flour
1 C heavy cream
5 C milk
1-2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
2 C shredded cheddar cheese
1 bunch green onions
1/2 C sour cream

In a large pot cook the bacon - when it's done pull it out, and cut into strips.
Add the butter to the pot with the bacon grease and melt it. Add the onion, garlic and potatoes and cook slightly. Add the flour, salt and pepper and stir - cooking the flour slightly. Add the chicken broth, milk and cream and bring to a boil
Turn the heat down and simmer until the potatoes are cooked through. Add the cheese and stir. Add the sour cream, bacon and the green onions and stir. Serve with more cheese, bacon and green onions on top.

*I usually use already baked potatoes w/ the skin on & dice them. I also use already cooked bacon bits & butter instead of the bacon grease to speed things up.

Easy caramel sauce

1 can Sweetened Cond. Milk

Remove label from jar. Place the unopened can in the crockpot & cover can with water. Cook on high temp for 5 hrs.

Homemade Caramel Sauce

1 cup brown sugar

8 tablespoons butter, cut into cubes

10 tablespoons heavy cream

1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

In a medium saucepan over low-medium heat, combine all the ingredients together (except vanilla) with a wooden spoon or silicon spatula. Once the mixture boils and bubbles, allow to simmer and thicken for about 5 to 7 minutes until it reaches a caramel like consistency (stir only once or twice in between). Stir in vanilla. Be patient and the caramel will come together eventually.
Remove from heat immediately once it comes together and allow to cool. The mixture will get thicker as it cools. Store in a sealed jar in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.