I took a bit of time making this – including making my own beef broth. I had a small roast in the freezer that was asking to be used, so I cut it up and used few of the outside pieces to make the broth. Just put in water with salt and a bit of black pepper, bring to boil and boil for about 45 minutes to an hour.

I don’t have to tell you that the pie was out of this world – there really is something special that beer adds to cooking – the meat was tender and all of it was very tasty. Here is the recipe and step by step directions for you:

Beef Pot Pie Made With Beer:

Ingredients:

•  1/2 cup of flour
• 1 teaspoon of salt – divided into 2
• 1 teaspoon of black pepper – divided
• 1 – 1/2 – 2 lbs. of lean beef stew meat
• 2 tablespoons of olive oil
• 1 lb. of new potatoes,cubed
• 2 cups of baby carrots – sliced
• 3/4 cup of chopped onion
• 3-4 cups of celery – cut into small pieces
• 1 cup of sliced fresh mushrooms
• 1 cup of dark beer
• 2 cups of beef broth
• 1 teaspoon of thyme
• Pie crust

For pie crust recipe, check out my Flaky Pastry recipe – easy to make and much better than anything you can buy ready made!

Rich Flaky Pastry Recipe

Pot Pie Directions:

Getting all your ingredients together before starting to cook is always a good idea. It makes the task easier and as I always say – you won’t forget or miss anything

If you are using a small roast, cut it up to size you like having in your stew or meat pies. I had a small roast and this is how I cut it, saving the outside pieces to make beef broth.

Just putting few pieces into cold water with salt and a bit of black pepper, bringing it to boil and cooking for 45 minutes to an hour will give good enough broth to use in this recipe.

I cut up baby carrots, celery,onion and fresh mushrooms and mixed them together. I also had some frozen mixed vegetables left in the freezer – they were green bean, cauliflower,broccoli and carrots – I used them as well.

I used small golden baby potatoes and cut them up into serving pieces

Put flour into a disposable plastic bag, add meat and shake to coat the meat pieces well. Don’t do all the meat at the same time – it is easier to coat the pieces of the bag is not full

Once the meat pieces are coated, you will be ready to cook them before adding them to rest of the ingredients

Put oil into a large pan and brown all the flour coated meat pieces

Remove meat from the pan and add beer, broth thyme and remaining salt and pepper. Bring to boil and cook for about 5 minutes

Mix meat pieces and all the vegetables in a caserolle pan and pour beer mixture over it. Bake for 2-1/2 – 3 hours at 350F and then let stand at room temperature for about 15 minutes. You can use this time to make your pastry.

Tunr your oven up to 425F. Place crust over the pie, pressing edges to seal. Cut slits in the crust to allow steam to escape and bake for 15 – 20 minutes or until crust is golden brown.

Cool slightly before serving

I serves our dinner with flaky rolls and the here you have the verdict:

Deeeeelicious!

Hope you enjoyed this recipe – please send me your comments, suggestions adn experiences. Your input is always welcomed and very much appreciated

I have put together a list of recipes suitable for what you choose to do – just click on the link or the picture to get the complete ingredients and instructions. Enjoy!

Special Valentines Day Breakfast

Romantic Valentines Day Dinner

Valentines Day Sweets

If you like these recipes, make sure you download my FREE Mama Knows Valentines Day ebook! You will find more recipes, plus crafts and other great ideas for this year’s day of love

]]> http://www.mama-knows.com/featured-articles/great-valentines-day-recipes.html/feed 0 http://www.mama-knows.com/recipes/waterloo-dark-corned-beef-and-cabbage.html http://www.mama-knows.com/recipes/waterloo-dark-corned-beef-and-cabbage.html#comments Wed, 18 Jan 2012 17:00:04 +0000 Hanna Trafford http://www.mama-knows.com/?p=6768 I get to name this recipe, since I created it. I have mentioned a few times in the past that I like cooking with beer – just like my grandma used to do.So – looking at a corned beef brisket I got for our Sunday dinner, I thought about what I could do with it. Adding cabbage and few simple ingredients was the answer and using Waterloo Dark beer was definitely a good choice.

This recipe turned out great! I used Waterloo Dark beer, since I always try to use locally produced ingredients and it worked beautifully! The beer reacts with brown sugar to form a nice coating and the red cabbage adds sweetness to the meal.

Waterloo Dark Corned Beef :

Ingredients:

• 2-3 lb. corned beef brisket
• 1/2 cup of brown sugar
• 2 cups of canned red cabbage
• 1 cup of sliced mushrooms
• 1/2 cup of diced onion
• 1/2 cup of shredded carrot
• 12 oz. of dark beer
• 1 teaspoon of salt
• 2 teaspoons of fresh ground black pepper

Directions:

Preheat oven to 300F

Prepare your ingredients – as I always recommend, doing this will make your cooking experiences more pleasurable and definitely more organized

Rinse the corned beef brisket completely and pat dry

Rub brown sugar over top, sides and bottom to make as much of it stick to the meat as possible

In a roasting pan, mix together the cabbage, mushrooms, onions, carrot, salt and pepper

Place corned beef on top of the mixture and gently pour beer over it (it will react with sugar, forming a really nice topping. Pour gently not to wash the sugar off)

Cover ( used a corning ware pan and covered it with aluminum foil -and place into the preheated oven

Bake for 2-1/2 – 3 hours and allow to rest for about 10 minutes before slicing

Serve with potatoes and enjoy!

Hope you will enjoy this recipe – I would really appreciate your comments and any suggestions you may have – your input is always welcomed and very much appreciated!

You can easily make butter tarts like these! Click on the picture and check out my pre-packaged products. So easy, you won't believe it!

I have a story to tell you:  Some of you are already familiar with the Mama Knows product line. Good old fashioned recipes that I have personally transformed into a ready to mix and make goodies.

One of the products are The Best Ever Butter Tarts. And much to my delight, my adopted grandson ventured into his mom’s kitchen and started baking. Using my pre-measured butter tart ingredients package, he got to work. Now – it is important for you to know that he is 12 years old and I will not even mention the fact that boys are not always the ones who would be most inclined to roll up their sleeves and get into the kitchen. I am delighted that he did it – big hugs and special rewards are sure to be coming his way from grandma Hanna!

Here are pictures of his kitchen adventure :

My 12-year old adopted grandson getting ready to use my Best Ever Butter Tarts in a jar

Was he going to have fun baking? You bet!

Little bit of mixing..... - nice to see the concentration of doing it right!

I think maybe mom was doing a bit of teasing from behind....

Check the oven.... time to put the creations in

And ready to go in! He is having so much fun baking - it's awesome!

Total success! They turned out perfect and I am not sure how many he consumed by himself - but knowing him, I am sure he shared...

You will find all my carefully selected and personally developed products in

Mama Knows Online Store

Hope you will visit and check out these special products – use them yourself or remember that  they will make a great gift as well anytime!

Definitely on the top of the "Comfort Foods" list - try the recipe today!

It is now almost two years ago that I first posted the Homemade Beef Stew Recipe. Comments have been pretty unanimous – “Just like grandma used to make!” And that makes me very proud – my own grandma taught me to cook and bake and I will always be grateful for that.

This recipe is perfect for this time of year – I would most definitely place it at the top of the “Comfort foods” list. Add homemade biscuits or freshly baked bread – and you have a winner!

Here are the recipes – enjoy and please continue sending me your comments and experiences!

Great Homemade Beef Stew

Click on the picture to get the recipe and step by step directions, complete with photos

Prize Winning Tea Biscuits

These tea biscuits will go great with your Homemade Beef Stew! Easy to make and they always turn out

 Homemade White Bread

Making your very own,m delicious homemade bread is not as difficult as you may think - try this recipe and directions - it will go great with the Beef Stew!

]]> http://www.mama-knows.com/recipes/great-homemade-beef-stew-recipe.html/feed 0 http://www.mama-knows.com/recipes/how-to-make-eggnog.html http://www.mama-knows.com/recipes/how-to-make-eggnog.html#comments Tue, 13 Dec 2011 15:57:46 +0000 Hanna Trafford http://www.mama-knows.com/?p=6670 You can buy festive eggnog in a carton at your local supermarket, or you can make thick and delicious one yourself. It’s easy and it’s very good! Here is my favourite recipe for you:

Ingredients:

• 4 cups of milk
• 1-1/3 cups of sugar
• 12 egg yolks
• 1 cup of heavy cream
• 1/2 cup of bourbon or rum (optional)
• Ground nutmeg

Directions:

1. In a medium saucepan, whisk milk and sugar together over medium heat, until sugar is dissolved – about 2 minutes
2. In a large bowl, whisk egg yolks
3. Whisking constantly, pour hot mixture into yolks in a slow and steady stream
4. Return mixture to pan, cook over medium-low, stirring often, until mixture is think enough to coat back of a spoon – 20-25 minutes. Do not let simmer.
5. Quickly strain into a bowl
6. Stir in bourbon or rum and chilled heavy cream
7. Cool completely, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until chilled
8. Garnish with ground nutmeg just before serving

Hope you enjoyed this recipe, please send me your comments, suggestions and experiences, your input is always welcomed and very much appreciated

Let me tell you a little bit about some of the products.

First - The Recipes in a Jar – it is a group of products that I am very proud of. Mainly because I am so very comfortable that everyone will love them. I have been told many, many times that I make wicked Chili, the best ever Butter tarts, very popular and frequently sought after Chocolate Chip Cookies, great Soups and even my two and half year old grandson checks with me every single time if I am bringing him Muffins.

Each one of these products is now packaged either in a glass jar or a nice gift bag, with a folder that includes the recipe and step-by-step directions. And you can check out all the products in the Mama Knows Online Store

Mama Knows Good Old Fashioned Chili - this jar contains 5 different kinds of beans and my very own premised spices and seasonings. It will make over 20 servings and is great to freeze.

Good Old Fashioned Chili in a Bag - same content as in the jar and of course - every product comes with a special folder with recipe and step by step directions

I have also created Gift Baskets – from the ones filled with cookies and chocolates, to one for the person that likes to bake (that one has a gift bag with my very own Chocolate Chip Cookies mix included) to a special one for the dog lover and another one for the Pasta Lover

Hope this give you a few ideas as to how you can make your very own special Christmas Gifts – and if you want to make it easy on yourself – you can just visit my online store and buy them from me!

For the baker on your list - festive cookie container filled with Betty Crocker utensils and my very own Chocolate Chip Cookie mix

For the Dog Lover - Ceramic food dish, filled with doggie goodies, including a frisbee and treats.

Perfect for you to share with others - whether they are your co-workers or employees or friends. Pretty festive red bowl filled with selections of cookies. chocolates. herbal teas, hot chocolate and candies

Great selection of items that will delight pasta lover on your list - all packaged in a white colander and of course - beautifully wrapped

There is a whole lot more items in the Mama-Knows online store – check them out today!

Apple Raisin Bread Pudding:

Ingredients:

• 6 tablespoons of unsalted butter (4 melted, 2 cold, plus a bit more, softened for baking dish
• 5 cups of milk
• 6 large eggs
• 1-12/ cups of sugar
• 1 tablespoon of vanilla extract
• 6 tablespoons of grated orange zest
• 2 teaspoons of ground cinnamon
• About 1 lb. of bread, day old buns of baguette, torn into small pieces
• 2-3 apples, peeled, cored and thinly sliced
• 1/2 cup of raisins

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350F
2. Butter a 9 x 13 baking dish
3. In a large bowl, whisk together milk,. eggs, sugar, vanilla, orange zest, cinnamon and add bread
4. Cover with plastic wrap and weigh down with another bowl
5. Let stand until bread is soaked through – about 20 minutes
6. Fold in apples, raisins and 4 tablespoons of melted butter
7. Pour into prepared baking dish
8. Dot top of the bread pudding with the remaining 2 tablespoons of cold butter
9. Bake until pudding is set and lightly brown on top – about 50 minutes to 1 hour.
10. Serve warm and it is great when you add vanilla ice cream or fresh whipping cream

Hope you will enjoy this recipe – please send me your comments, suggestions and experiences, your input is always welcomed and very much appreciated!

Incredibly delicious Cinnamon Loaf - fresh and warm, straight from the oven - talk about comfort food!

I am very happy to share this recipe with all of you – as my new friend Selina Joyce from Alberta, Canada shared it with me. Joyce enjoys visiting my website and was kind enough to take some time to send me a personal note,letting me know how much she enjoys what I do and telling me her story. I very quickly discovered that we have a lot in common – especially when it comes to creating special family moments and future heirlooms. Very much like Joyce, I have also created personal cookbooks – full of handwritten recipes and stories attached to them and gave them to my sons. Some of the recipes had to be literally re-created, since both my grandma and my mom cooked as you would say “from their heads” and I have learned to do the same. Joyce sent me this Cinnamon Loaf Recipe – it comes from her grandmother, who used to make it for her when she was a little girl. Grandma passed away at a beautiful age of 105-1/2 and I totally understand why this recipe became so special – the Cinnamon Loaf is not only delicious beyond belief – it also fills the house with incredibly comforting aroma of cinnamon and vanilla.

Thanks you Joyce – and we are all looking forward to more recipes from you!

Old Fashioned Cinnamon Loaf:

Ingredients:

• ¼ Cup of Shortening or Butter (I used butter)
• 1 Cup of Sugar
• 2 Cups of Flour
• 2 Eggs
• 1 Teaspoon of Baking Powder
• ½ Teaspoon of Baking Soda
• 1 Teaspoon of Vanilla
• 1 Teaspoon of  Salt
• 1 Cup Sour Milk (To sour fresh milk, just add a  tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice)
• 3.4 cups of raisins (optional)
• Vanilla Sugar (optional)

As I always say - it is a great idea to prepare all your needed ingredients first - it really makes cooking or baking much easier - and you won't forget to add a thing!

Cream sugar and butter first, then add eggs and beat until fluffy - it only takes a few minutes

Mix your dry ingredients together in a separate bowl, then add them alternately with milk to creamed butter and sugar.

Mix until thoroughly blended.

Adding mixed dry ingredients alternatively with milk - I used wooden spoon, since I didn't want my raisins to get chopped up by electric mixer

Put half of the mixture into loaf pan that you have greased with butter and lightly floured to prevent sticking.

Sprinkle about 1/2 the topping over the batter.

I chose to use half of the cinnamon/brown sugar mix after putting the batter into baking pan and the other half on the top - you can do it either way

Add rest of the mixture on top and swirl through with a spoon or a butter knife.

Sprinkle with vanilla sugar if desired

I used glass loaf pan to be able to take picture showing the cinnamon mixture half way in the batter

Alternatively, you can put all the cinnamon.brown sugar in after the first half of batter, top with remaining batter and swirl with a spoon of butter knife. I chose to create a bit of a cinnamon.vanilla crust, that is why I topped the loaf with remaining topping.

Putting some of the cinnamon.brown sugar mix on top and adding vanilla sugar will create a delicious crust - but you can put all the mixture after first layer of batter and then just swirl with a spoon or a butter knife.

Bake at 350 F for about 1 hour or until a toothpick inserted into the centre comes out clean.

In the oven - let the baking begin and let that wonderful aroma fill the house!

Cool for about 10-15 minutes in the pan, then invert onto a rack and cool

This is now definitely one of my favourite recipes!

This Cinnamon Loaf tastes incredible – especially when you serve it still warm !

Hope you enjoy this recipe and thank you again Joyce! I will be happy to post your recipe, please send me your favourites – your input is very welcomed and much appreciated!

After years of thinking about doing what I do best, I have finally launched Mama Knows product line – in my very own online store! I can hardly sleep now – it’s like having another child!

All the products have my personal name on them – all have been developed and well tested personally by me and I do believe they make incredible gifts!

Check out the Recipes in a Jar - absolutely perfect for trying them yourself and adding them to your gift list:

Good Old Fashioned Chili

Good Old Fashioned Chili in a Jar - complete with step by step instructions and attractively packaged in a re-usable jar - perfect gift idea!

Five different kinds of bean, my secret spice and seasoning mix in a separate pouch and the result? Awesome and huge pot of chili you can easily freeze for future use.

Also available in a gift bag!

Ready to use for yourself and your family and friends or add to your Christmas list for just about anyone - perfect gift like no other!

Friendship Soup

The name says it all - this good for you gift will make a huge pot of soup, ready to share with family and friends. You just have to add it to your Christmas gift list for all your friends!

One of my favourite soups – and I took my own recipe to create one that can be packaged in a jar or a bag and readily made with very little effort! Good for you ingredients include 2 different kinds of lentils, split peas, wite rice, brown and wild rice, 2 different pasta and of course – my very own secret mix of spices and seasonings. You will also get a recipe and step by step instructions folder – it’s just a perfect gift!

Friendship Soup is also available in a gift bag:

Perfect for all your friends on your Christmas Gift list or to use yourself and share it!

Old Fashioned Chocolate Chip Cookies

A definite favourite - this recipe has been in my family for ages - and I couldn't even tell you just how many cookies I have made! I am pretty sure you will not be disappointed if you give it a try or gift it to your family and friends

If I was to try to count just how many times and how many Chocolate Chip Cookies I have made using this recipe, I know I would end up and at least four-digit numbers! You really need to try these and add them to your Christmas Gift List!

Old Fashioned Chocolate Chip Cookies are also available in a gift bag package;

Definite favourite for anyone - try there or gift them - you will not be disappointed !

Best Ever Butter Tarts:

You will be able to make your own pastry and fill it with a wonderful butter tart filling, complete with raisins! Definite and delicious baked goodness!

I calls these The Best Ever Butter Tarts – I have made them thousands of time and always with no fail result! So I decided to share and created a recipe that can be packaged in a jar or a bag – and that is what you will get! Complete with recipe and step by step folder (pastry is really not difficult to make at all!) – there is no perfect gift like this one is!

And yes – it is also available in a gift bag package – check out my online store today!

Have a wonderful time browsing in my store – you will find not only the Recipes in a Jar line – you will also find handmade unique gifts – all designed and made by me! And keep checking it out and returning regularly- I have another line of products that will show up there within the next few days!