Homemade Ground Beef "Assistant"- Stroganoff Style

 

 

Ingredients:

• 1 lb elbow pasta
• 1.25 lb lean ground beef or ground turkey
• 2 T canola oil or olive oil
• 1 T unsalted butter (note:  2 T are pictured as I typically reserve 1 serving of pasta and keep it plain with the other T butter just in case one of the munchkins is not in the mood for anything other than pasta...and then watch as they eat this recipe anyway)
• 2 T flour
• 1/2 C sour cream
• 1/2 C half and half
• 1 14 1/2 oz can of beef broth (homemade beef stock would be tastier)
• 1/4 t each: salt, pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, nutmeg (dried)
• (optional) 1 4 oz can of diced portabello mushrooms, drained (can be found in any grocery store in the canned vegetable section)

1. Bring 4 quarts water to a rolling boil in a stock pot (most recipes call for five, but I find four is sufficient).
2. Liberally salt the water (this is your only opportunity to flavor the pasta itself).
3. Add pasta and stir occasionally until al dente (about 7-8 minutes depending on the brand). Drain and set aside.
4. In a skillet over medium high heat, add 1 T canola oil, meat and salt/pepper to taste. Cook until thoroughly browned.
5. Remove meat with a slotted spoon and set aside.  Drain fat.
6. Make Roux, following the technique and recipe in below vlog demo (press play to view):

   

7. Add beef stock to roux and bring to a boil and then reduce heat to low. 
8. Whisk in cream and sour cream, stirring continuously to well combine.
9. Add remaining spices.
10. Add meat and pasta to sauce and combine well.
11. Simmer uncovered on low for an additional 5-10 minutes.
12. Mix in portabello mushrooms if desired.
13. Garnish with parsley and serve with a side of spinach lightly sauteed in olive oil with garlic powder and salt/pepper formed in a heart cookie cutter (and make it large--the more on the plate, the more they will feel they need to eat to make a dent) and an apple slice or two (you'll be amazed at how well this works getting your kids to eat).

ENJOY!!

Disclaimer:  I in no way guarantee your kids will eat the spinach, but it works more than it does not work and is certainly worth a try :)  Try making this for your self or your family and let us know how it turns out!