MUSHROOM BEEF

It's hot. 90 degrees hot and a wonderful time for us to test our thinking of not using air conditioning this summer. Call us crazy, but we'd like to go without. A good experience for our americanized children who think anything over 75 calls for air. Will we stick it out? Good question. I haven't been pregnant and without air conditioning..............ever. A lot depends on my attitude. I'm determined to not let the kids whine and complain (or their mama) or i may just make them run laps in the hot sun. On the other hand, i'm already looking forward to being invited to friends houses who sit in cool luxury. ;) I also think, or rather know, that it'll be a great way for me to keep my pregnancy weight down. I like that part, a lot. I see a lot of watermelon, fruit salad and homemade ice cream coming up. Of course, i will still have to cook, which brings me to a trusty friend. My crockpot. I can even plug it in outside if i don't want even that heat. I also don't care for smelling my food all day. By supper i have no desire to eat it. Which can also be a good thing. So here's a crockpot recipe i'm trying for supper tonight. Never made it before so i can't promise what the results will be like but it looks great. If you want to keep it gluten free you can use arrowroot for the thickener.

MUSHROOM BEEF

4 T BUTTER
4 OZ. MUSHROOMS, SLICED
3 T FLOUR
1/2 TSP. SALT
DASH PEPPER
1 CUP MILK OR CREAM
1 CUP BEEF STOCK
1 LB. STEW MEAT

MELT BUTTER IN A SAUCEPAN. ADD MUSHROOMS AND SAUTE UNTIL LIMP. WHISK IN FLOUR, SALT AND PEPPER AND COOK OVER LOW/MEDIUM HEAT UNTIL FLOUR BEGINS TO BROWN SLIGHTLY. POUR IN MILK AND STOCK IN A SLOW STREAM AND WHISK. BRING TO A BOIL, REDUCE HEAT AND SIMMER 5 MINUTES.

PLACE STEW MEAT IN CROCKPOT AND POUR SAUCE OVER TOP. COOK UNTIL MEAT IS TENDER AND SERVE OVER RICE, EGG NOODLES OR POTATOES.