Beef Stroganoff

On the Leffler menu tonight...Beef Stroganoff. This is the second time I've made this meal and by far tonight was the best. I changed it up a bit with how I cooked the beef and I think that made all the difference. Here's what you'll need...if you want to try this meal.

Ingredients:

4 Tbs olive oil (I used 2 Tbs garlic infused olive oil and 2 Tbs basil infused olive oil)

1 lb cubed beef stew meat

5 Tbs flour

3 Tbs dried onion flakes

Salt and Pepper to taste

1 can cream of chicken

1 lb egg noodles

What you do:

Over medium high heat warm the olive oil. Place flour in ziplock baggie. Toss stew meat in flour and make sure the meat is completely covered. Once meat is covered and olive oil is warm add meat to pan. Allow meat to begin to brown. As meat is browning season with salt, pepper and onion flakes. Continue to toss until meat is fully cooked.

As meat is browning, boil 4 Qts of water in separate pan and follow directions on egg noodle package for cooking time. Make sure to salt your boiling water before you add the noodles so they don't stick together.

When you have about 5 minutes left of cooking the noodles add entire can of cream of chicken to browned stew meat. When you do this it will be VERY thick. Either add a bit of water or chicken stock to loosen mixture. You don't want a soup mixture but you want the stew meat to be able to move around.

Drain the noodles and put back in hot pan. Add your beef to the noddles and mix.

Serve alongside fresh vegetables and warm bread. YUM!

-AKL

Jared

Let me introduce you to Jared. Full name, Jared John Leffler. Nicknames, honey, G-rad, and my personal favorite which I'll leave out so as not to embarrass him publicly. I've know Jared for 11 years now and have spent the last 6 years, 4 months, and 4 days married to him. Here are some interesting facts about him:

His favorite color is blue

He's color blind

He loves cars and electronics

He's worked for the same company for almost 10 years

He's battled cancer (cancer free for 9 years and 310 days!!)

He started, stopped, and started again college due to heath reasons and now has his bachelors

He wants to get his masters

He grew up in Yuma, AZ

He has 3 younger brothers all with the same initials as him (J.J.L)

He loves kids

He doesn't like nuts

When he gets an idea there's no stopping him

His nostrils flair when he's mad

He could live off of soda, meat, potatoes, and dove dark chocolate (if he had too)

He's not afraid to speak his mind

He takes care of his family

There is one other thing I'd like to share....I LOVE JARED!!!!! I love how he's grown since we've known each other. I love how he takes the laundry basket up and down the stairs for me every weekend. I love when he randomly tells me he loves me. I love his smile. I love how he supports me. I love how he lets me vent to him when I'm having a stressful day. I love his odd sense of humor. I love our lazy days of spending time together with he dogs. I love dinner dates with him. I love that he lets me be me!

Love you, Jared!

-AKL

Chicken and Corn Chowder

What do you make for dinner on a cold February night? Chicken and corn chowder! Here's what you'll need:

Ingredients:

8 slices bacon

4 boneless skinless chicken breasts

2 shallots

3 cloves garlic

6 yukon gold potatoes (less if large potatoes)

3 Tbls butter

3 cups chicken stock

1/2 cup dry white wine

3 large scallions

2 1/2 cups fat free half and half

3 tps thyme

3 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese

salt and pepper to taste

Here's what you do:

In a large dutch oven brown your bacon on medium high heat until crispy. Remove with slotted spoon to paper towel covered plate. Cut boneless skinless chicken into bite size pieces. Cook chicken in bacon drippings. Once chicken is fully cooked remove to plate. Cut potatoes into small pieces and place into dutch oven with butter. Let cook for 4-5 minutes allowing the potatoes to brown just slightly. Add chicken stock, dry white wine, chicken, and corn to dutch oven and bring to a boil. Cover and let cook for 5-7 minutes. Once potatoes are soft add thyme, scallions, and fat free half and half. Allow to simmer and warm through. Slowly add sharp cheddar cheese and stir continually. Salt and pepper to taste. Ladle into bowl and top with bacon and fresh cheddar cheese.

Enjoy!

-AKL

Starbucks Update

It's officially been one month since I began my "no Starbucks for a year" idea. How did the first month go? I had times when I really wanted to cave and enjoy that wonderful extra hot, non-fat, no water, no foam chai, but I didn't. I have more drive today to continue my quest for the next 11 months than I did when I first started! For the most part I don't crave Starbucks, however, on those cold gloomy days my mind and tastebuds start backtracking but I feel like I've got it under control. It'll be summer before I know it!

How about you? Did you make a goal for yourself this year? Have you been able to keep that goal so far?

-AKL