After having enjoyed the very nice beef stew using the packet of instant mix that my cousin sent me from Australia, I could not wait to try this one…
…that I also got from her…and another reason was that I bought a kilo of the New Zealand beef that day and I only used half so I still had the remaining 500 gm. in the freezer. I guess everybody knows by now that I cannot stand seeing anything idling happily in the fridge or freezer or in the pantry. I simply must cook something to use it all up.
Hmmm…it seemed that sour cream would be needed for the dish but I read somewhere that yogurt could be used to replace that so I got myself this…
…and used it instead.
I also read some place that yogurt may be used as a meat tenderiser so I thought I would just give it a try…
…instead of my usual ways of dealing with tough meat. It did say, however, that I should do it overnight and I only let it stand in the fridge for around two hours. Anyway, I guessed it did not matter much as I sliced the meat (across the grain) very thinly this time unlike the previous occasion when, for the stew, I had them in bite-size chunks.
Ooopsss!!! It said on the packet that I would have to add the sour cream after the cooking had been done and I had turned off the heat…
Ah well! I told myself that I could just rinse off all the yogurt, the same thing that I did with the papaya leaves that day, so it would not matter much.
It so happened that I had one red capsicum in the fridge and seeing that suggested idea on the packet, I decided to throw that in as well along with the sliced Bombay onion and the canned straw mushrooms…
…all of which went in after I had heated a little bit of oil and browned the beef. The instant mix, diluted in some water, was next…and I simmered it all for some 15-20 minutes before turning off the heat and adding the yogurt as instructed.
Yes, it was very very nice…
– different from the stew that day but I would say both were nice in their own ways. However, my missus liked this one better as she was not too fond of the strong fragrance of the spices that day.
It so happened that my girl tried baking this focaccia bread with a bit of cheese added…
…that same afternoon and it turned out really great! We had that for dinner and it went perfectly with the beef stroganoff. She also cooked these oven-baked potato wedges following the recipe that she saw in my friend, Elin’s blog. In fact, she already made some that Friday when she came home and we loved it so I suggested that she could do it again and we would all be able to have that as well…
It certainly was a very delightful dinner, albeit a simple one, that evening – we all enjoyed it a lot!
...STILL CRAZY AFTER ALL THESE YEARS! 
It’s so cute the way you prepare to cook this. You did the tenderizing with the yogurt and all before reading the instruction of adding sour cream last. Hehe. But alas, it turned out well and that is all that matters. I like the look of the bread Melissa baked. Looks so good. I am a bread person so I can really imagine sinking my teeth into it now π
That’s my problem – I can’t follow recipes, instructions…never bother to read slowly and carefully, no patience. Yes, thankfully, it turned out really nice.
More gourmet than a simple dinner! Fine dining status! M also cooking stew today n will post up if good enough! Haha!
Oh dear! Simple one lah, no class…did not even bother about presentation, just cooked and ate. Looking forward to seeing yours.
I believe I have to visit you and taste your cookings:)
Come, come…always welcome. You sure are very very far away, it seems, though. In Norway?
Oh I used this packet mix when I was at uni! And… always used low fat natural yoghurt instead of sour cream to make it a little healthier! Ah… memories. Thanks for bringing this one back. π
Got this from my cousin in Oz. We can get it here too at one supermarket in town that sells all the imported stuff but of course, do expect to burn a hole in the pocket, anything there even though after conversion, it may be roundabout the same price as Down Under. π
Wahhh… All cooked with passion will surely taste delicious albeit simple or not… Your girl is one good cook!!
Yes, and like me, she enjoys it. Love these quality together times, cooking and enjoying everything together. Sure means so much!
Your beef stroganoff looks so good, stewy, creamy, lots of meat.. Eaten with homemade cheesy bread and oven baked potatoes, yummzzz, heaven !!
Yes, we sure enjoyed our dinner that evening. Very nice…plus all with that special added ingredient added, love! π
WOW! That looks convincing! Imma huge fan of beef too!
My girl loves it too…but we only get imported NZ or Australian beef here, definitely not cheap. Can’t get fresh beef here. π¦
I remember last time when I use almost same kind of ingredient pack to cook, the result wasn’t turn out that great…I think I really not that good in cooking duh.
No worries! I had my share of that when I was not really into cooking. Getting better now, not as bad as before. π
Indeed a very delightful dinner. Everyone work together and make a lovely dinner at home.
Yes, making full use of the school holidays to spend quality time together!
Love a good beef stroganoff! That focaccia looks really good too.
Yes, it was nice. I think she used Jamie Oliver’s recipe. Too big though – way too much for 3 people. Next time, must cut everything by half.
Looks exactly like Gennaro Contaldo’s stroganoff and focaccia! Good job! π
I take that as a compliment, thank you…thank you. *takes a bow* π
That is totally a compliment. Gennaro is Jamie Oliver’s mentor. You should look him up on Youtube. π
Ok, thanks…but oh no!!! His cooking is of such a high standard, ours nowhere near…far from it.
Father & daughter’s team work whip out a delightful & comfort dinner. Focaccia bread looks absolutely great to go with the beef stroganoff & oven-baked potatoes wedges. Yumzzzz!!!!
Very very nice, sure would love to do it again.
Great! All were nice nice dishes… βΊοΈ
Yes, it was nice, nicer than eating out as we get to enjoy doing it together and eating what we dished out ourselves, a little extra satisfaction derived from there!
You can cook so well, if it’s me who is cooking, sure turn out horrible…
I’m not a great cook either – easy simple stuff, I’m ok. Anything more, I’d give up right away!
yay, glad to hear the yoghurt worked as a substitute … good to know for future reference … and i assume yoghurt would actually be healthier? π
Not sure, don’t even know if we have sour cream here or not. Not something we would use, if at all, so we never took note. Maybe they have it in the bakery shops.
let’s do it together? Howwwww, I can’t cook anything remotely close to what you churn out day in day out.
You can’t or you never tried? Getting to eat at all those very nice and posh places – I sure would not bother to try either. Hehehehehe!!!!
Knock! Knock!
…who’s there? Oopssss!!!! Missed this one. π π π
SEDAPNYER!!!! when cook for me?
Hi, Doc! Come, come to Sibu. Can cook this and more for you. You’re not posted here now by any chance, are you?
P.S. Your first time here? Virgin, eh? π π π A warm welcome and do feel free to drop by again, anytime!