Not From A Box

I've been making this beef stroganoff for a couple years now. It comes from my pink plaid Better Homes and Gardens cookbook that I got for Christmas one year. Except I've never made it as written. The recipe calls for sliced sirloin steak but I never buy sirloin steaks. In fact the only steak I ever buy is filet mignon (in bulk from Costco, thank you very much!) and I'm NOT using that in this recipe. So I use ground beef instead because it's something I always have on hand.

I'm embarassed to admit that I like the ground beef in this because it reminds me of Hamburger Helper. I know you're either all laughing or you're gasping, but you know exactly what I'm talking about. I am proud of myself because I haven't purchased or made Hamburger Helper since we were first married. However, I have to be honest and say that I think the Tuna Helper is pretty good :-)

This recipe is very simple and delicious. It's quick too. You just brown the meat, mushrooms, onions and garlic and the house smells so good! Then you add the sour cream mixture and serve it with buttered egg noodles. Comfort in a bowl and men like it. That's important. I've made this with chicken and it's good but I prefer the beef. And my brother who is pickier than Mr. Picky himself liked this meal and asked for seconds.

Beef Stroganoff adapted from BHG

• 1 lb. ground beef
• 1 8-ounce carton dairy sour cream
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup water
• 2 teaspoons instant beef bouillon granules
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 cups sliced fresh mushrooms
• 1/2 cup chopped onion (1 medium)
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons butter or margarine
• 2 cups hot cooked noodles

In a small bowl stir together sour cream and flour. Stir in water, bouillon granules, and pepper; set aside.

In a large skillet cook the ground beef, mushrooms, onion, and garlic in hot butter over medium-high heat. Break up the ground beef as you go until cooked through and no longer pink. Drain off excess fat.

Stir sour cream mixture into skillet. Cook and stir until thickened and bubbly. Cook and stir for 1 minute more. Serve over cooked egg noodles.

Makes 4 servings