Poor Man’s Mongolian Beef

This was sooooo good! Who would have thought you could get so much flavor from regular old ground beef, and feel like you’ve just ordered from a top-notch Chinese restaurant? Make this soon. You will love it. Seriously. Soon.

2 lb. lean ground beef (nothing less than 85%)

3 T sesame oil

6 cloves garlic, minced

1/2 tsp ground ginger

1/4 cup soy sauce, or more to taste

1/3 cup brown sugar

1/2 tsp cayenne pepper

1/2 cup green onions, sliced, greens too

1/2 cup white wine

1/4 cup white vinegar

1/4 cup creamy peanut butter, or more to taste

1/2 tsp black pepper

1 tsp salt

4 cups cooked rice

1. In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the beef in the sesame oil with the garlic. Cook and stir often until the meat is browned. Allow to simmer so most of the juices and oil are absorbed.

2. Add the ginger, soy, brown sugar, cayenne, wine, vinegar, peanut butter, pepper, and salt. Combine well. Simmer for several minutes for the flavors to fuse together. Toss in a small handful of the onion whites and simmer.

3. Serve over warm rice and top with chives (green part of onion stalk).

 

Peanut Butter & Chocolate Crumble Bars

Welcome back to another Fantabulous Friday where you get the recipe to an awesome dessert! This is what I made for the boys this week and it was a hit!

*FYI: This recipe can easily cut in half. Since we are not huge dessert eaters (they would like to be, I assure you) half of a recipe is perfect because it gives us a taste, maybe a bit leftover for later, and then no extra to go to waste.

(Full Recipe)

1 cup butter, softened

1 1/2 cups packed brown sugar

2 cups old-fashioned oats

2 cups flour (I used  a 1/2 unbleached & 1/2 whole wheat mix)

1 tsp. baking soda

1 pkg (8 squares) semi-sweet chocolate baking squares

3/4 cup creamy peanut butter (can substitute crunchy)

HEAT oven to 350*F.

BEAT butter and sugar in large bowl with mixer until well blended. Combine oats, flour, and baking soda, then add to sugar mixture; mixing well.

PRESS 3 cups of crumb mixture onto bottom of 13×9-inch pan sprayed with cooking spray. {I used the butter paper to grease pan liberally. A great use for any extra softened butter that sticks to the paper. Also just a good way to utilize everything without any waste. Cool, huh?}

MICROWAVE chocolate in small microwavable bowl on HIGH 1 1/2 minutes or until melted, stirring after 45 seconds. Stir in peanut butter. Carefully spread over crust; sprinkle with remaining crumb mixture.

BAKE 22 to 25 minutes or until edges are golden brown. Cool completely.

Yeah, I'll be licking that...

Enjoy!!