Well, it finally happened. I’ve joined the ranks of frantic parents who realize that their kid has just taken scissors to their own hair. I don’t know how I made it 10 years of mom-ing without it happening before now. I thought I just had incredibly well behaved children. HA! Joke’s on me. I took some pictures, just to memorialize it before she decides to do it again. It’s really not bad, right? (See the shorter piece on the side? And the piece over her shoulder.) Her hair was in a pony tail so she could only axe off the front part. It’s almost like she got some nice layering in?? I know you probably can’t even tell at all. BUT I CAN. It’s definitely not as bad as my sister Nikki though, who cut all of her hair to the SCALP when she was little. My poor mother. It also helps that Valentine has ridiculously long hair, so even if we have to repeat this incident a few times, hopefully it just means she will end up with a cute bob in the end! See, it’s fine. EVERYTHING IS FINE.
You’ll Love this Old Fashioned Beef Stroganoff recipe
In other news. I am sick and ready for some comfort food. Who’s with me?? (Also it’s weird getting sick during a pandemic. I feel like…guilty almost? What if I give it to someone?? Very strange. No idea if it’s Covid or not. It’s pretty mild, but then most cases are, right? But we are hunkering down and making some comfort food as we ride it out. Does comfort food get more comforting than a classic beef stroganoff recipe?? I don’t think so. I could eat this stuff every day.
Beef Stroganoff recipe ingredients
See the recipe card below for the full recipe and instructions!
How to make this recipe for Beef Stroganoff
This ain’t no 30 minute Hamburger Helper situation, where we throw in some ground beef and call it good. Oh no. There is a time and a place for ground beef (like this Easy Chili I just posted), but comfort food means we need to take some time. (Time in the crock pot, that is, while you kick up your feet and do nothing.) The only active time is in the beginning when we brown the beef and simmer the sauce for a bit. Start off with a 2 pound chuck roast and chop it into 2 inch chunks. I learned recently that stew meat, the pre-chopped beef they sell at the store, can sometimes have odds and ends from lots of different cuts. I usually have no issues with it getting tender when slow cooked, but to guarantee tender fall-apart meat, buy yourself a chuck roast and chop it your self. Takes 3 minutes. Pat dry, and salt and pepper generously. Generously, I say! Sear it in your hot hot pan with plenty of space in between each piece of beef. If you dump it all in at once, the meat will steam itself instead of browning, and you’ve completely defeated the purpose. You may as well dump it in the crock pot raw. Searing properly gives you that gorgeous brown edge that has unparalleled flavor! Next, chop up your onions and mushrooms. Cook them in butter in the same pan that you browned the beef in, working up all those browned bits. Season with salt, pepper, paprika, parsley, and garlic, yes please. Add in some wine and beef broth and simmer it down for a few minutes. I used cooking wine. Anyone who drinks wine will tell you in a hoity toity voice that cooking wine is the worst thing ever, but I use it all the time and think it tastes amazing. And it’s cheap. I don’t drink alcohol and am certainly not going to buy a $20 bottle of wine just for beef stroganoff, to have the rest go down the drain. But if you drink wine, pick your favorite red and go to town! Here is the beef and mushroom sauce after slow cooking. This meat is so tender you can cut it with a wooden spoon. It’s so good! I love to serve this with pasta on the plate, then the beef stroganoff, then a healthy dollop of sour cream. You can add the pasta and sour cream straight to the crock pot and mix it all together before serving, if you prefer! I just think it’s so pretty served in layers. And this way your guests can choose how much sour cream they want to add! Top with fresh parsley and chives. I love the pop of flavor the herbs add!
How long to cook Crock Pot Beef Stroganoff
As far as cooking time goes, you have a couple of options–either cook on low for 8 hours or cook on high for 4 hours. I love having the option of either one. If I’m shorter on time, I’ll cook everything up a little bit quicker. But if I have the option to leave it all day, I’ll definitely pick low and slow every time. Don’t get me wrong, it’s delicious either way, but if you can set it and forget it for a good 8 hours, your meat will be fall-off-the-bone tender, more flavorful, and less likely to dry out or burn.
What to serve with Crock Pot Beef Stroganoff
I love serving this creamy beef stroganoff over a bed of pappardelle noodles or egg noodles. But it is also really good on mashed potatoes! Aunt Shirley’s Famous Creamy Mashed Potatoes will forever and always be my favorite recipe! You could also serve it over rice or brown rice for a healthier option. Or cauliflower rice for an even healthier option! For side dishes to classic beef stroganoff, a nice big green salad always hits the spot. Green vegetables are good too. Try these green beans almondine or browned butter asparagus. It’s nice to serve bread to mop up all the sauce. Try these Big Fat Crescent Rolls, or this One Hour French Bread! You really can’t go wrong!
Beef Stroganoff Crock Pot storage & reheating
Leftover beef stroganoff will last in the fridge for 3-4 days. To heat it up, warm single servings in the microwave or heat a larger portion up on the stove with a splash of beef broth to help everything heat evenly and avoid burning. Since stroganoff contains dairy, I don’t recommend freezing the finished dish. The sour cream can separate and become watery, and the noodles can get mushy.
More classic beef recipes you are going to love!
Beef Barley Soup « this recipe is from Eric’s grandmother, and it’s so nostalgic. You’ll love it. Easy Fall Apart Pot Roast with Carrots (Slow Cooker) « this is a top recipe on The Food Charlatan! Easy Salisbury Steak Recipe « the perfect comfort food How to Cook Tri Tip « this beef is cooked to perfection on the grill Traditional Tejano Carne Guisada « this is a classic Texan staple! Gyro Style Shredded Beef « these Mediterranean flavors are so good! Beef Bourguinon from Noshtastic Beef Stew with Carrots and Potatoes from Once Upon a Chef Easy Swiss Steak from Jo Cooks
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