Mom's Oven Baked Stew

UPDATE: This post has been shared many times over on Pinterest and I wanted to share it again here today since nothing says AUTUMN SUPPER  like a good stew.

Shared originally on Oct. 12, 2009



Have you ever enjoyed oven baked stew?

What could more more appropriate to serve during the cool crisp (and rainy!) weather we have been having?

This is another winner from my Momma's collection of great home cooked meals.

My late Grandpa Pete (Pietro) said this was the best stew he had ever eaten- which were fightin' words because my late grandmother Amelia considered HERSELF to be the best cook. No one wants to be shown up by their daughter-in-law!

Sorry, Grandma, but I'll have to agree with Grandpa on this one!
I've been blessed to come from a long line of great cooks!

Because of its low cooking temperature and many baking hours, this is perfect to serve for Sunday Dinner. It will be ready when you return from your service.

You can also raise the oven temperature for a shorter cooking time, but I like it cooking low and slow.

Here's what you'll need for this recipe:

2 cans tomato soup
2 cups water
1/2 c. flour
4 lbs. stew beef
6 med. carrots
8 med. potatoes
3/4-1cup celery
1 onion
4 beef bouillon cubes
1 pkg. Good Season's Italian Seasoning mix.

Mix together soups, water and flour. Add meat, veges and seasoning, stir well. Bake Covered at 275 degrees for 4-5 hours.

Warm crusty bread and a side salad is all you need for a complete meal.

You can thank my Momma for this one!

The Very Best From Momma and Me- Italian Pizelle Cookies

-Photo Jordan Murphy-SQUARED VISION PHOTOGRAPHY

I want to introduce you to the best Southern cook I know. This is my mother, Rose.
My son took this photo of us for a Mother's Day Gift last year.

She is a 75-year-old homemaker extraordinaire.

I'm going to be featuring many of her best recipes that she has passed along to me and I'm here to tell you- if I put her name in the title of a recipe...you need to make it. Her food is ALWAYS delicious! Not necessarily the healthiest dishes, but THE BEST recipes.
This is where moderation is key.

Some are pretty simple, but no matter the time it or technique it takes to put one of her dishes on the table, it's ALWAYS worth it.

My Mom was a stay at home mother while my brother and sister and I were growing up. She cooked 3 times each day- DELICIOUS Homemade breakfasts, lunches and dinners. We rarely ate out.

She loves to cook with lots of real butter, full fat chicken broth and cheesy sauces!

SO, I'm starting off with a traditional Italian pizelle cookie that we made together recently. This recipe was actually passed down from her late mother-in-law, my grandmother Amelia, a wonderful Italian cook.



First, you must have one of these. A Pizelle cookie maker.



But don't dispair if you do not own one. These cookies can also be made on a cookie sheet for the same great flavor, they just won't be as pretty.

You will need:
6 eggs
1 cup butter
1 1/2 cup sugar
5 cups flour
5 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. anise oil


Beat eggs and sugar well. Add melted cooled butter. Add anise oil, then dry ingredients. Mix well with a mixer on med. speed. till smooth.




With floured hands, roll dogh in ball (2-3 heaping teaspoonfuls). Place dough slightly off center - just a tiny bit back- close lid and cook for about one minute.

*It is okay to open lid to see if they are done- it will not affect the cookie to check a few times.




They should be slightly golden brown.



They lift very easily off the griddle with spatula.



Cool on flat surface, then start stacking them.








These are delicious served just as they are.

They are also great sprinkled with powdered sugar (especially at Christmas time- they'll look like a big snowflake cookie!)

You can also shape them to make a waffle cone for ice cream, but you need the proper form for this. You can form it to the bottom of a cup, let it cool that way, then it will be a perfect cup to fill with ice cream, drizzled with chocolate...yummmmm.

*Remember to take my cookie challenge and share the wealth!