Friday, September 11, 2009

100th POST + Giveaway!!!

That's right folks, can you believe this is my 100th post!!! So, in honor of that, I thought it would be fun to do a little giveaway (my sister's grand idea!)- and since I am not a "real deal blog" just a little fish, I don't even know for certain what my giveaway will be, maybe because I don't even know for certain if anyone will even respond- HA! But I thought it sounded fun, so away we go!!!!

GIVEAWAY- Leave a comment with your favorite recipe FROM THIS BLOG (if you've tried it or wanting to try it) and I will choose- I don't know 3-5 winners at random for a prize. If you live local, you'll probably get a home-cooked treat or something crafty, and if you live far away (mom, sisters, Sara, anyone else?) you will find yourself a fun little something in the mail (so leave your email address so I can get details!) How about a week- so do it by next Friday, Sept. 18th... no later, we don't want it to drag on forever- leave your comment. OK??? FUN!!!

OK, how is it that as of 3:00 on day one I have had 74 visitors to the blog and only ONE comment, come on people- just leave a comment- simple.... "I like ...." that's all there is to it! Don't be a party pooper! And if you don't want the prize, I'll eat or enjoy it for you- no hurt feelers on this end!!!!

Now, for my 100th recipe post.... drum roll please.... inspired by the [darling] movie Julie & Julia..... a simplified and more nutritious version of .....
Beef Bourguignon original recipe by Julia Child,
adapted recipe by Andrea Haddon :)

Ingredients:
3 lbs. stew meat, cubed
4 ribs celery, chopped
3 carrots, peeled & chopped
1 sweet onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic (or 2 large cloves)
8 oz. mushrooms, chopped or sliced
2 cups potatoes, chopped
2 cups red wine
1/2 cup beef broth
1/2 cup flour (for dipping the beef cubes)
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper

Directions:
I made this recipe in the crock pot- in the movie and in the original recipe, she bakes it for 3 hours (and burns it!) and I didn't feel up for that amount of time, but I was so intrigued and wanted to give it a whirl, so I busted out the crock pot, and it turned out fabulous!

I wanted to do like Julia and "pat my beef dry with a paper towel" and then dip it in flour, and then brown it on the stove- and she's right, it does brown much better that way! You could probably for-go this step to shorten the prep- but if you do decide to do it, you put 1/2 cup flour on a plate, pat your beef cubes dry with a paper towel, dip the cubes in flour and then add them to a pan with a drizzle of oil and a TBSP of butter (for flavor says Julia... she uses way more butter by the way!!!) Remove the beef cubes and then saute the onions and garlic in the same pan with the left over beef juices (I had to add a smidge more oil to my pan). Then add that to the crock pot with the beef cubes. Wash and chop all the veggies and add them, plus the wine, broth, and seasoning (you can also add a bay leaf if you enjoy that flavor) and cook on low for 8 hours. I served it solo as a stew, but you could possibly serve it over a bed of noodles or with some french bread. It was delicious!!!! "Bon Appetite!"

*** Feel free to pass this blog and/or recipes on to family & friends! The more the merrier!***

20 comments:

Unknown said...

Andrea,

I love both your blogs and since they are on Holly's blog list I check them quite often. I have tried both your Teriyaki glazed chicken thighs and Onion chicken in Balsamic Sauce. Tim and I loved both of them. Didn't you just love "Julie and Julia"? Will definitely try your updated Beef Bouguignon. No need to put me in your drawing save it for your young friends. :)

knkseals said...

Andrea,
I like the glazed chicken thighs, um they are teriyaki, I think. I have so many others I want to try, but that's the one I remember the kids loving because they were able to help put the glaze on.

TZel said...

I have been trying to use the crock-pot more lately, and would love to try the Chicken Tortilla Soup recipe ;-)
Thanks so much!

Nicole said...

Well- sounds like fun, so here you go. We have tried and loved, the tortilla soup, salsa chicken made into chicken soft tacos and the strawberry salad. I have been wanting to try the french toast sticks for the girls!

Holly said...

Andrea, I appreciate your user friendly and fresh approach to food. Your salads are yummy, the most recent that I loved was the apple/blue cheese salad, I think it was the Californian, with the red wine dressing. Can't WAIT to do the bruschetta. Yuuummmm! Thanks for being my online cookbook. You're amazing.

Unknown said...

Andrea,

I just found your blogs and I am truly excited. I think our family has already been using some of your recipes for the last few years thanks to a great friend who passed them to me. If so, I am glad to have found your site. Can't wait to try your Beef Bouguinon. Also, I love your canvases. They are really special!

Proud parents of FOUR! said...

Just got passed to your blog and everything looks so yummy. I can not wait to try a few out! I've been trying to find sneaky little ways to get more health foods into my family. The Beef Bourguignon is making my mouth water and looks to be fairly easy! Thanks for blogging!

ccdean said...

Andrea,
I just got back from Trader Joe's this morning and am excited to try the Brown Rice Melody and the Harvest Grains Blend. In a few minutes I will be making the BBQ Chicken Pizza, as it is game day at our house and my husband wants to eat it after his game.
Thanks for all the yumminess!!
--Christy

Krissa said...

This is a hard one...we love alot of these recipes and are still in the process of trying new ones off of your blog every week. I think one of our favorites so far are the Thai Chicken Wraps w/ Spicy Peanut Sauce. But another meal we love to do is the flank steak marinade with a side of your Snappin' Snap Peas. :) Thanks for all the great recipe ideas!

The Ryska Family said...

Mmm, I think I'll try that stew. I have been wanting more "tested" crock pot dishes since i try to do easy meals on the days i work and what's easier than a crock pot. My recent favorite is the Mango Sorbet, I actually think I might walk to the freezer and get some right now.

The McCarty's said...

I made the Santa Fe salad for Ryan and I tonight. We loved it! The bbq sauce on chicken and salsa ranch was excellent. I've tried quite a few others and love how I can sit down to make a grocery store list and browse your blog, seeing what I feel like for the week. Thanks again!!!!

Meghan Underwood said...

Well Good afternoon!
What's this?! A give-away...Where do I begin? All time favorite around here is the ginger glazed mahi mahi. Oh man. So tasty...So easy...So impressive to people who have no idea how easy it is... But of course we love the fajitas. Loved the kabobs! I made them with steak...my oh my. Let's just say, you are starting my marriage cooking adventures to an amazing start... But you know these things... I love to leave you my comments... Okay, off to make my meal plan! Love you friend.

Anonymous said...

Sweet potato fries are my vote! And your salad dressings, all of them you really cant go wrong! You have definitely inspired me to cook more often and healthier options for my family of boys. Please keep blogging, and I love the shopping list/ recipes.
Vali

The Zaballos Family said...

ann!!! i love contests! i like to consider myself your best reader, but it looks like 13 people have beat me to this...i blame my weekend getaway and lack of internet. anyhoo, do harvest grains count?!? but for reals, scott and i love the stuffed bell peppers and just about everything else on this blog! keep up the excellent work, our tummies thank you!!! xoxo

Jocelyn said...

Hi friend,
I buy the ingridients but . . . you know how it goes! I am going to make chicken marsala soon!

moxleyfam said...

so i know i already said this, but i LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the cilantro and lime chicken soft tacos! Another fav is the oat nana pucks. they are a nice alternative to banana bread (which we eat A LOT of)! keep up with the blog. you have helped get me back in the swing of meal planning and in turn, saving lots of $$$! Thanks Annie! Love,
Amy

Candice said...

Hi Annie,

I just stumbled across your blog and I LOVE it! I'm a dietitian, and always altering recipes to make them healthier, so it's a fun change to have someone else do that with great results! I'm so excited to try the beef bourguignon recipe you posted. I too saw the Julia movie and loved it. I wanted to buy her cookbook, but I'd feel too guilty making most of her recipes! Thanks for the inspiration!
Candice (lovejoy)Dreyer

CC said...

Andrea,
I love your Healthy and Easy Recipes blog. I gave the site to some cooking-challenged girls at work, hoping it will help them and their frustrations. I have tried several of your recipes and it is hard to narrow down a favorite. I do love the mahi mahi recipe, and the chicken thigh recipe. I am anxious to try the orzo/cucumber salad. That sounds yummy. I really appreciate you doing this blog. I know it brings my newly married daughter much joy and great recipes!
Love you, Carolyn

The Ryska Family said...

so . . i made the beef borg. last night and it was so yummy. can't wait to see that movie! thanks friend!

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