My mother usually didn't care for dumplings. But she raved about this stew...dumplings and all. It's a down-home delicious meal that I make often for my family.
Salsa and chili powder add spice to this chicken stew, but probably not too much for timid tasters or kids. If you want to kick up the heat, use a hot salsa and a dash of hot sauce or ground red pepper.
'I found this hearty stew recipe in an old cookbook purchased at a flea market,' recalls Judy McCarthy of Derby, Kansas. 'The blend of beef and barley really hits the spot on cool days.'
'My husband and I enjoy visiting the apple orchards in nearby Nebraska City,' explains Carol Mathias of Lincoln, Nebraska. 'We always buy cider to use in this sensational slow-cooked stew.'
Sauteed onions and mushrooms flavor this ground chuck meatloaf, which is layered with whole raw mushrooms before baking. These add a lot of juice to the loaf.
If I could give you only one festive (and Super Bowl-appropriate) recipe this month that is absolutely, positively worth a few extra hours in the gym, this crazy-good, decadent crawfish dip would be it.
