Hamburger Helper Goulash Randomness

Now that I’ve emerged from my Mad Men induced stupor, (complete with a full bar – but I don’t blame the show.  I’ve always wanted a cool cabinet complete with different serving glasses, liquor and mixers and watching 52 episodes of the BEST PERIOD DRAMA EVER finally spurred me to do it,) I’m ready to talk food.

The weather is also finally starting to turn cold, (which is about 55 degrees during the day) and I’m excited to get cooking again.  Last weekend I spent all day Sunday making soups and bread.  I did something similar last year, (and wrote about it but the post has mysteriously disappeared,) so I’ll be sure to share my recipes with you again.

However, this post is not about soup and bread.  It’s about some randomness I whipped up last week for dinner.  When Madison asked me what was for dinner, I smartly answered, “Food.”  Partly because I wasn’t sure what to call it and partly because I was afraid she’d be grossed out by the ingredients.  So when she persisted, “What’s in it?” I answered, “Food” again.

You see, I was making something my Mom made for Joel and I as kids – it sounds disgusting, but really it’s a homemade version Hamburger Helper, (I think.  Having never had Hamburger Helper I’m not really sure what’s in it, but I think this is kinda similar – using rice instead of pasta.  I actually looked it up on Wikipedia.)  Anyway, by the time it finally made it to the table Madison didn’t care what it was as long as it tasted good.  She did ask one last time, “What is it?” and Joel told her was goulash.  (Not entirely true either, I looked that up on Wikipedia too.)

It is a mix of sautéed onions and peppers, cooked and seasoned ground beef and brown rice.  Joel reminded me that our Mom used to add slivered almonds for texture, (but she’s a squirrel and I didn’t really miss them.)  It’s quick and easy to make, totally filling and marginally healthy.

Today I’m eating leftovers with a slice of the spice cake I made Sunday.  The sweet/salty combo is delish!

Homemade Hamburger Helper, serves 6

1 medium white onion
2 medium red peppers
2 medium yellow peppers
¾ lb lean ground beef
½ lb lean ground turkey
2 cups cooked brown rice
2 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp Tarragon
Salt
Pepper
Slivered almonds, optional

In a large skillet sauté the onions and peppers until they look transparent.  Move them to the side of the pan and add the beef and turkey.  Add the tarragon and salt and pepper to taste.  When the meat looses its’ pink color, mix the meat with the vegetables and cook together for a few minutes.  To serve, mix the meat and vegetable mixture with the cooked brown rice and spoon into bowls.  Top with almonds, if desired.