So-Easy Pepper Steak

I've been listening to the Hunger Games on audiobook. I've never seen the movie (so don't tell me what happens!!!!) However, I really only get to listen while I drive, and mostly, I only drive to and from work. Thus, it's been slow going. I tell you this so that if you happen to see me on the road, I'm not driving really slow to annoy you; I'm simply trying to get as much of the story in before I get to work. Once I'm there, I can only stay in my car listening to Hunger Games for so long before one of my coworkers becomes concerned about all the time I spend in my car weeping (there are some emotional parts...it's awful what they put those poor kids through...and that Katniss is so brave!)

Tonight we "enjoyed" So-Easy Pepper Steak. Wow, the name does not lie. So-easy it was. Pretty much like most things I've ever made in the slow cooker. However, just like everything I've ever made in the slow cooker that wasn't pot roast or pulled pork, this was disappointing. The beef turned out dry and the sauce, while tasty, seemed just a little bit burnt. I'm not sure if this is because the beef was directly touching the bottom of the cooker, or if our cooker cooks too high at the low temperature.

We used what was closest to Italian-style tomatoes. Also, we did not use the hot pepper sauce. We bought whole wheat pasta, but we completely forgot to cook it after I got home. Instead, I cooked what was left of our instant rice (sad and mushy compared to our rice cooker stuff) and had that with my plate.

Unfortunately, in the words of Homer Simpson, "this gets my lowest rating ever...seven thumbs up." I thought it was good, but it just didn't turn out as good as it sounded.

Above: Me typing my food blog (Approximation)

Connor wasn't into it at all. He's not a big beef fan, so I'm not totally surprised. He didn't eat much. Rather, he had some chicken nuggets. As a treat, he enjoyed 3 snack pickles while shouting random letters at the Wheel of Fortune contestants. We're probably gonna try another slow cooker recipe tomorrow, so maybe that one will turn out a little better. I'm not optimistic though.

Makes 6 servings

1 2-lb boneless beef round steak, cut 3/4 to 1 inch thick
1 14.5 oz can Cajun-, Mexican-, or Italian-style stewed tomatoes, undrained
1/3 cup tomato paste
1/2 tsp bottled hot pepper sauce (optional)
1 16-oz package frozen pepper stir-fry vegetables (yellow, green, and red sweet peppers and onion)
4 cups hot cooked whole wheat pasta (optional)