Beef Stroganoff

I just nailed the perfect beef stroganoff!  It is wonderful.  The meat is tender and juicy and the sauce is savory and wonderful.  Did I mention that it was gluten-free and low fat…. I know you think I am crazy, but it really is wonderful.  This is going to take a leap of faith, because you are going to look at the ingredients and tell me I am nuts… but it really is wonderful.

• Ingredients List:
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 lb stew beef, (I cut them into smaller bite size pieces for the kids).
• ½ onion diced
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• Dash of salt
• 2 dashes of pepper
• About two cup of water or so
• ¼ cup white wine
• ½ package of whole mushrooms, diced
• 1 tablespoon parsley
• 2 tablespoon corn (or potato) starch
• 1 can of white beans, rinsed
• 1 cup fat free ricotta cheese
• ¼ cup milk
• A package of gluten-free spiral noodles (I used the ones from Trader Joes)

I use a Dutch over, but I use a Dutch oven for a lot of stuff… a large skillet will work.  Heat your skillet on high. Once your meat is small bite size pieces add olive oil to the pan.  Brown the beef with the onions, garlic, salt and pepper.  Turn it down to medium heat and just let it be happy for a while stirring occasionally.  If the meat starts to stick add a little bit of water to get the good happy bits off the bottom of the pan.

This is a good time to start the water for your noodles.

Once the meat is all brown and the onions are soft use the wine to deglaze the pan.  Once the pan has deglazed and the wine is all soaked up by the meat add about a cup of the rest of the water. While the meat is simmering chop your mushrooms and add them to the meat. This is also a good time to add parsley.  The sauce will reduce again; add the rest of the water.  This should create a nice dark brown sauce, if it is too thin add some starch, if it is too thick and there is no brown sauce, add more water.

For the beans, the milk and the ricotta cheese I use an immersion blender.   Whatever you have to puree the beans, the milk and the ricotta together, this is your “sauce” for the beef.   Stir it into your beef mixture.  Set the heat to low and stir occasionally till your noodles are done.  Once your noodles are done, plate and serve.  It is wonderful.  Enjoy.

Leave me a message and let me know how it worked and what you thought, I like feedback.