Easy One Pot Dinner/Use What You Have

I was clearing out my refrigerator before grocery shopping for the week and pulled out everything that either needed to be used before going bad or was a remaining ingredient that just didn’t make it into other preparations. I don’t like to throw away food and try my best to use EVERYTHING.

• The recipe for this pork stew can be found below.

During these winter months in upstate New York, I prefer to prepare meals that feed my family multiple times a week from one day of cooking. I rely heavily on one pot meals like stews and soups.  It’s also convenient for my family to have meals like this available to them during the evening hours I work.

I had half a boneless pork loin roast, half a bag of baby potatoes, three large carrots, half a bag of green beans, 2 large tomatoes(one with the start of a bad spot) and most of a large red onion.

Definitely the makings of a STEW:)

I use a very basic format when putting together a pot of stew. The one difference being many are cooked completely on the stove top. I like to start mine on the stove top but the majority of the cooking done in the oven. Either method works fine. I like to keep my stove top left available when I’m batch cooking for the week.

I use the same method each time I prepare a stew. The only time I make is an adjustment is if I’m adding an ingredient like frozen peas or corn for example. They cook extremely quickly so I  throw them in at the end.

PREPARATION…

I like to cut up the meat and vegetables before I start cooking.

The only two vegetables I don’t include with the others are the onions and tomatoes.

COOKING…

The onions are chopped smaller and kept separate so I can start cooking them first. Once they are softening up I add the garlic until fragrant and then the tomatoes.

• I add the tomatoes earlier then the other vegetables so they have a chance to breakdown and become part of the saucy background base.

All the rest of the vegetables get added in together. Cook everything in the pot on medium for 10 minutes.

Next add in the flour. Cook and stir for 2-3 minutes.

Add the liquids and seasonings and stir everything well to combine. Once simmering add in the protein.

Again whatever you and your family like even if its just beans will work just fine. This dish can easily be converted into a vegetarian meal.

• I have fun with this recipe and have experimented with all kinds of variations.

Put the lid on and place the pot into a 350 degree oven.

Cook for 1 1/2-2 hours.

I serve mine with and extra vegetable and garlic toast:)

I hope you enjoy this easy recipe and have fun experimenting!

Thank you for stopping by,

RoniXXOO