Even On The Lake We Eat Well

Just thought I'd throw this in here, since we spend more than half of our time out on the lake fishing. I cant take credit for this lunch, the other half made this, and it sure beats hot dogs.

Balsamic Ginger Beef

Since Im still on strike, there are times when our fridge and freezer start to get a little empty and I have to get creative with dinner. Today I found a package of stewing beef and decided to throw this little creation together, and it turned out AMAZING. Dont let the picture fool you, it was a plate cleaner.

1 Package Stewing Beef, chopped into 1 inch cubes
2 Packages brown gravy (2 for 1 at the dollar store)
4 Tbsp Balsamic Vinegar
2 Tsp Worchesire Sauce
2 Cloves Minced Garlic
2 Tbsp Chopped Ginger
1 Tbsp Cooking Oil

In a large skillet, heat cooking oil over medium heat
Toss in minced garlic, and cook 2-3 minutes, or until lightly browned
Add chopped ginger, cook for another 2-3 minutes
Add beef, and stir often, cooking until meat is just browned, about 5 minutes
Meanwhile, mix both packages of gravy with 3 cup water and bring to a boil in a saucepan over medium high heat
Add balsamic vinegar and worchesire sauce

Once meat is browned, transfer entire pan to slow cooker, including juices
Top with gravy mixture, coating evenly
Cook for 7-8 hours on low setting

I served this over mashed potatoes because it's all we had in the house, but it would work well with egg noodles aswell.

Turned out perfectly :)

Blueberry Strawberry Mini Turnovers

An easy desert, made this today with stuff we had lying around the house

1 cup flour
6 tsp chopped and semi melted butter
1/4 tsp salt
3-4 tbsp cold water
1 cup mixed frozen blueberries and strawberries
1/3 cup sugar
2 tbsp baking powder
1 tsp lemon juice

In a medium mixing bowl, combine flour, salt and butter
Mash together well
Add water until its to desired thickness and consistency
Form into a ball
Cover well with wax paper and refrigerate

Meanwhile, mix together berries, sugar, baking powder and lemon juice
Refrigerate

After 30 minutes or more, preheat over to 400
Flour counter
Using a rolling pin, spread out pastry until about 1/2 thick
Cut into rectangles
On a cookie sheet covered with parchmant paper, lay down one rectangle of pastry, layer with berries, then cover with another rectangle of pastry
Using your fingers, press down the edges
Continue with all of the pastry
Slit 3-4 lines in the top of the turnovers
Brush edges with melted butter
Baked for 15 minutes or until lightly browned

Asian Sesame Slaw

A great side dish, quick, easy and cheap to make

1 cup thinly shaved green cabbage
1 cup thinly shaved red cabbage
1/2 cup dry chow mein noodles for garnish
1/3 cup sesame oil
2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
2 tsp sesame seeds
salt and pepper to taste

Mix cabbage together in a salad bowl
Mix next 4 ingredients together in a container with lid, and shake until well blended
Pour dressing on cabbage about an hour before serving
Garnish with dry chow mein noodles just before putting it out, so they stay nice and crunchy

Enjoy :)

"Gateau Chomage"

This is another passed down recipe. Growing up in a mining family (between my grandfather, father and I we have over 75 years with inco), we've gone through our fair share of strikes. The following is a recipe that you can easily make with ingredients laying around the house. The name is loosely translated to Unemployment Cake.

Syrup:
2 cups Brown Sugar
2 cups Water

Bring to a boil over medium heat in a medium sauce pan

Meanwhile, preheat over to 375 and prepare cake

Cake:
1 cup white sugar
1 tsp butter
1 cup milk
2 tsp baking powder
1 1/2 cup - 2 cups flour, (to consistency)

Melt Butter
Mix all 5 ingredients together
Pour syrup in cake pan with lid
Slowly add cake batter to syrup (it's not going to look appealing right away)
Bake at 375 for 35-40 minutes, or until a tooth pick inserted comes out clean

Serve the cake warm, smothered in milk.

Sweet and Sour Fish Balls

This is a recipe that means alot to me. It comes from my late grandfather. He lived for the outdoors, just like I do, and was always coming up with new recipes for fish. This recipe works really well with "fishy" tasting fish, such as Lake Trout. Even people who aren't big fish eaters will love this one.

Sauce:
1 cup bread and butter pickle juice
3/4 cup water
1/4 cup ketchup
2 tbsp brown sugar
Cornstarch

Bring ingredients to a boil over medium heat
Thicken with cornstarch, only a little at a time, until desired thickness

Fish:
1 lb fish fillets, de-boned
Prepared Pan Cake batter, omitting oil
salt
vegetable or canola oil for cooking

Bring just enough oil in a deep frying pan to about 375 (when you drop water on it it should 'spit')
Cut fish into bite size pieces
Sprinkle with Salt
Dip fish into prepared pancake batter
Fry until golden brown, about 4-5 minutes

Serve fish mixed with sauce over brown rice

Very tasty and similar to a dish available at most Chinese restaurants

Thai Sweet Chili Chicken

Quick and easy chicken marinade

4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
1/3 cup thai chili sauce
1/3 cup soy sauce
2 cloves minced garlic

Mix all ingredients together
Pour over chicken in a deep dish, cover and refrigerate for 24 hours

Either bake in the over at 375 for 40 minutes, or cook on low in the slow cooker for 7 hours

In the picture, it is served with zucchini pasta