Hybridized Slovenian Style Goulash

Back when I was first learning to cook on my own, I conflated two recipes my grandmother made when trying to replicate her goulash.  It wasn't "right", but as often happens, I decided I actually liked this new hybrid recipe even better, and so it is how I have made it ever since.  It has the basis of goulash - a sauce primarily made of cooked down onion and paprika with beef - but then has the addition of some tomato, mushrooms, and peas, making it a bit more interesting to eat.

This recipe is for a large batch; we usually get several 'fresh' meals, as well as several portions to freeze, which it holds up to quite well.  

Slow Cooker Salsa Pepper Beef

This is another of those fabulous super-simple crockpot recipes that will have you going back for seconds.  Rich and flavorful, this Mexican fajita inspired dish pairs beautifully with saffron rice and a little sour cream.  I served it with garlic-buttered Italian green beans, whose calm flavor went quite well with the more lively dish.

(I used a bit too much salsa, and have already adjusted the recipe accordingly; you may prefer more or less than I do.)

Slow Cooker Balsamic Garlic Beef

This was quite tasty with a very different flavor than most of the crockpot recipes we've tried.  It was right on the edge of the level of sweetness I like meat to have, which was surprising since there was nothing particularly sweet involved except a little honey.  It combined marvelously with mashed potatoes with sour cream, and brussels sprouts with butter, salt and garlic powder.

Slow Cooker Barbacoa Beef

As usual with the spicier/Southwestern recipes, I was not a huge fan, but Jess adored it.

I served it over rice, with baked veggies – rough cut zucchini, yellow squash, red onion, and thinly sliced mini red and orange sweet peppers, tossed with olive oil and thyme, rosemary, parsley, basil and dill and baked at 350 F for about half an hour.  I think it might have been better as the original recipe's alternate suggestion: with cheese as quesadillas. 

Slow Cooker Creamy Beef Stroganoff

In seeking out crockpot recipes, I found several that claimed to be "beef stroganoff".  This is based on the only one that actually sounded like beef stroganoff to me.

As usual, of course, I adjusted the recipe to fit our tastes, and that is what I am sharing with you!

Slow Cooker Mongolian Beef

This was the first of my freezer-to-crockpot experiments.  With some adjustments to make it my own, I was satisfied, if not absolutely wild about it.  I don't think it will become a staple at our house, but it's quite tasty all the same.

I served it over basmati rice, the only kind I like; and alongside lightly stir-fried broccoli, carrot slices and snow peas in a little sesame oil, oyster sauce and soy sauce.