Sweet and Spicy Beef & Veggies

My most favorite thing about cooking as opposed to baking is not having to use recipes.  Especially when you're looking to make something out of whatever you happen to have defrosted or available to you at that specific moment.  I try to plan things ahead during the week, but for the most part, I throw a couple of proteins from the freezer into the fridge to defrost at once and then pick them out throughout the week to make dinners.  Our go to with beef chunks are typically fajitas of some sort.  They are easy and fast but I was so not feeling fajitas so we had to come up with something else.  Something a little different, but similar to things our family loves to eat.   It's still super easy and fast so I call that a win.

Time: 30 Minutes
Serves 4

Ingredients:

1.25 lbs of beef chunks (for stew), chopped in half
1/4 cup flour
1/4 T ground red pepper
1/2 T paprika
salt + pepper to taste
 1 T minced garlic
dash of worcestershire sauce
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup bread crumbs
1/2 cup peas
1 1/2 cup carrots, cooked, chopped

Directions:

1. Start a large pan on the stove on medium high.  Drizzle with olive oil.

2. In a gallon zip lock bag add beef chunks and flour, red pepper, and salt and pepper.  Shut be bag and toss well until all is covered.  When the oil is hot, dump the coated meat into the pan.  Add garlic, sugar and worcestershire sauce and mix well.  Cook until brown and medium rare inside. (You'll want to make sure the meat is not overcooked.  It will make it tough as it's not the fanciest piece of meat)  Add in the breadcrumbs as needed.  I like to soak up the juices and it gives the meat a nice crust and a different texture.

3. Add peas and carrots and cook until warm.  Serve over mashed potatoes and enjoy!

For a quick mash potato recipe I put four potatoes in the microwave and cook on high for about 6-8 minutes until they are fork tender.  I put them in a big bowl with about 1/2 cup of milk and a pat of butter and mash with a masher.  Add salt and pepper to taste and serve.  No need to go through the mess of boiling and waiting when the microwave can do it faster. I keep the skins on too for a more rustic feel... and you know, because it's easier and I don't have time for all that funny business when Noah's running around hitting things with his broom and constantly asking to get picked up.

Happy Cooking!