Stroganoff or Mother Hubbard's Pantry

There are two wonderful things about beef stroganoff: I almost always have all the ingredients for it and it is a meal that works well no matter the season. Barbeque - summer, beef stew - winter, pumpkin pie - fall but spring? Sometimes warm, sometimes chilly spring makes you hanker for garden fresh fruits and veggies not the tasteless strip mined versions available at the grocery store. So while I wait and glance longingly at the little plantling struggling to stay alive from the attentions of my 2 and 4 year olds, I will make stroganoff.

3 Tbsp butter
1 Tbsp flour
12 oz beef broth
beef sliced into strips or small chunks
1/4 cup sour cream
salt and pepper
mushrooms sliced
1/4 cup peas

Melt 2 Tbsp butter in a pan over medium low heat, then whisk in the flour until thick and smooth. Add beef broth.

A note: canned consumme seems to orginiate in the shadows of my pantry. I don't buy it- it just shows up. However, 2 beef bullion cubes and 12 oz of hot water will fit the bill if you don't have consumme on your shelves.

Whisk in beef broth until fully integrated with butter and flour. Pour off into bowl. In same pan brown meat. Liberally coat with salt and pepper.

Note 2: Use whatever beef you have: this is why stroganoff falls into Mother Hubbard domain. You can even use ground beef. Purists may shudder, toddlers are more apt to eat it. Since I interact with toddlers more than food critics, well you get my drift.

When meat is browned set aside on seperate plate. In pan add remainder of butter and sautee mushrooms. As many mushrooms as you want! My stroganoff tends to contain 5-6 mushrooms. Combine mushrooms, beef, and sauce. Stir in sour cream until sauce is smooth and creamy. Add peas. Serve over rice or pasta.

Note 3: Peas are either loved or hated. In my house they are loved. If you are ambivalent about peas, omit them. If the only peas you have ever had are nasty mushy ones froma can, you have never really gotten the full pea experience. You can get the full pea experience rather easily. Pop for the more expensive bag of Petite Peas in the freezer section. Steam them until they are just warm through. They should be sweet and green and taste like May 23.