Beef Stew

Ingredients:

• Olive oil or butter
• 2 pounds bottom round, trimmed of fat and cut into 1-inch cubes
• 1 pound sliced cremini mushrooms
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2 cups brown ale or dark beer
• 4 large carrots, peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 1/2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
• 1 teaspoon caraway seeds
• Salt and ground black pepper
• 2 bay leaf

Directions:

1. Heat 2 teaspoons oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add half the beef and brown on all sides, turning frequently, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a slow cooker. Remove oil from pan and add the remaining 2 teaspoons oil and brown the remaining beef. Transfer to the slow cooker.
2. Return the skillet to medium heat, add mushrooms and onions. Cook for 5 minutes. Sprinkle flour over the mushrooms and cook for 1 minute. Pour in ale and bring to a boil until thickened and bubbling, about 3 minutes. Transfer the mushroom mixture to the slow cooker.
3. Add carrots, garlic, mustard, caraway seeds, salt, pepper and bay leaf to the slow cooker. Combine well. Cook on low for at least 8 hours. 

Fruit Tea

Ingredients:

• 1 apple, peeled and diced
• 1 pear, peeled and diced
• 1/2 banana, sliced
• 1 orange, peeled and sliced 
• 1 lemon, juiced 
• 2 bags Lipton tea

Directions:

1. Pour water into tea kettle until half full. Let cook on medium heat and put all prepared fruits into the kettle. When water boils, put 2 bags of tea into the kettle and reduce heat to low. Let cook for 10 minutes then serve with honey.

Avocado Caramel Ice Cream

Ingredients:

• 1 avocado, peeled and mashed
• 1/4 cup sugar
• French vanilla ice cream
• Caramel syrup 

Directions:

1. Combine mashed avocado and sugar.
2. In a dessert bowl, put 1 scoop of ice cream then put avocado mixture along the side of the ice cream. Drizzle caramel along the side on top of the avocado. Serve immediately!

Gourmet Chicken & Herbs Pizza

Ingredients:

• 3 tablespoons butter, melted
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 4 tablespoons minced garlic
• 2 tablespoons sun-dried tomato pesto
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 cup Alfredo sauce
• 2 cups chopped cooked chicken breast meat
• 1 medium tomato, sliced
• 1 (12 inch) pre-baked pizza crust

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 375º.
2. In a small bowl, mix together the butter, olive oil, garlic, pesto, basil, oregano, Parmesan cheese and Alfredo sauce. Arrange the chicken and tomato on top of the pizza crust. Pour the Alfredo sauce mixture evenly over the chicken. 
3. Bake for 15 minutes or until the crust is lightly browned and toppings are toasted. 

Golden Biscuit Loaf

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup butter, melted
• 1/2 teaspoon dried minced onion
• 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
• 1/4 teaspoon white sesame seeds or caraway seeds
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 2 (12 ounce) cans of buttermilk biscuits

Directions:

1. Combine all ingredients. Dip biscuits in butter mixture then fold in half and place in rows in a greased 9-in. square baking pan. Drizzle with remaining butter mixture. 
2. Bake at 350º for 30 minutes or until golden.