Hamburg Pot-Pie

1 lb. ground beef

1 small onion, chopped

2 small potatoes, diced

1 large carrot, diced

1 10.5 oz can turkey gravy

1 pkg. refrigerated roll-out puff pastry

Salt &Pepper to taste

Boil carrots and potatoes until fork tender.

Brown ground beef with onion. 

Add gravy to beef mixture and simmer for 3 minutes.

Add potatoes, carrots, salt and pepper to taste. 

Pour mixture into a 9 x 11 casserole dish.

Top with pastry dough (cut and arrange to cover mixture).

Bake at 425’ until brown and bubbling.

Variations: Out of Turkey gravy? Use any creamed soup.  I use Cream of Chicken soup for just about everything!  Just thin it out with a little milk (approx. 1/4 cup). Don’t have any puff pastry handy? Top with any refrigerated dough product:  biscuits, refrigerated pie crust, pizza dough, crescent rolls, etc. Not in the mood to peel and chop onions, carrots and potatoes? Add 2 cups of your favorite frozen veggies and call it a day.  (We all know this is how I get dinner on the table...)

Classic Beef Stew

1 lb. Stew Beef, cut into 1” pieces

3 Tbsp. flour

3 Tbsp. olive oil

2 medium onions

3 cloves garlic, minced

4 cups water

4 beef bouillon cubes

3 large carrots, cut into ¼” pieces

2 large russet potatoes, cut into 1” pieces

3 celery stalks, cut into ¼” pieces

¾ cup frozen green beans, cut

1 Tbsp. water

1 Tbsp. cornstarch

1 Tbsp. parsley flakes

Pat beef dry.  Coat with flour.  Heat oil in large pot.  Brown beef for approximately 5 minutes, or until no longer pink on the outside.  Add onion and cook for 2 minutes.  Add garlic and cook for 1 minute.

Add water and bouillon to pot.  Bring to a boil.  Reduce heat and simmer for 1 ½ - 2 hours, until meat is tender. 

Add remaining vegetables and parsley and simmer until vegetables are tender.

In a small bowl, mix water and cornstarch until smooth.  Add to stew and bring to a boil for 1 minute.  Remove from heat.

Serve with crusty French bread for dipping.

Want the more realistic Lazy Wife way??

Throw everything, except the 3 Tbsp. cornstarch and water, into the pot and simmer on low for 3 hours, or until tender. Add cornstarch mixture, boil 1 minute & serve. 

Or put it all in a crock pot before leaving for work.  Set it on low for approximately 6 – 8 hours.  By the time you get home, the meal is ready to enjoy!

Fiery-Hole Turkey Chili

Ok, I didn't name this dish; my darling family did, and it is one of their favorites... Enjoy!

1 lb. ground turkey

1 14.5 oz can diced tomatoes

1 Tbsp. dehydrated onion
1 Tbsp. +/- salt
1 Tbsp. parsley flakes
1 tsp. Allspice
1/2 c. +/- hot sauce
(I like Frank's)*

In a 3 qt. saucepan brown turkey; add diced tomatoes, dehydrated onion, salt, parsley, and allspice. Simmer 10 minutes.  Add hot sauce; simmer additional 5 - 10 minutes.

To serve:  Ladle into soup bowls.  Top with shredded cheddar cheese and a dollop of sour cream.

* Start off slow with the hot sauce.  We like things hot n'spicy here.  Start with 1/4 cup and add from there. 
Remember: A little goes a long way.