I’ll do you one better. I’ve been on a diet for about 440 days. I’m winding down, as I’m nearing my goal. One of the dishes that I have really enjoyed during my dieting days is the Whole Wheat Tuscan Pasta (Buff version) served at Noodles & Co — a semi fast food chain all over the country, particularly near college campuses.
The “buff” version has NO pasta — it’s sautéed chicken, tomatoes, onions served over fresh spinach and flavored with feta cheese. Since my “diet” doesn’t require that I count the calories of most vegetables (but does require that I eat 4 servings per day) this dish meets my requirements. I’ve been toying with the idea of copying this dish at home for weeks.
Then, Diana in Wisconsin posted pictures of a dish she made with venison while cleaning out her freezer and the idea hit me. So here’s my version, which is better than any beef stew that I have ever made (and probably half the calories.)
Venison is very lean and a good substitute for beef, if handled correctly.
Low Calorie Crock Pot Venison Stew
Place in bottom of 6 qt. crock pot
1 venison steak cut into 1” x 2” pieces. Salt & Pepper.
2-3 Tbs Olive oil
1 large onion, chopped into medium sized pieces
2 cups celery (including the leaves), chopped
Cook on high for 1 hour
Add 1 #1 can stewed tomatoes
Reduce to warm
Cook another 1-2 hours
Season with 1/2 cut Tone’s Rosemary Garlic seasoning (or any other seasoning of your choice)
Stir and continue cooking.
After another hour add 2 cups of “shorty” carrots, split
Cook another hour; add 2 cups Brussels Sprouts, split
Add 1 cup mushrooms
Taste & correct seasoning, if necessary.
Continue cooking until meat is tender and sprouts are tender
This could be served over pasta, rice, or fresh spinach
I served it over a product new to me: Seeds of Change Brown Rice with Quinoa. I LOVE this product. It takes 90 seconds to fix in the microwave.
Serves 8
I never know what to do with venison because I think it’s hard to cook. It has no fat and often turns out dry and tough, but not this dish! Delicious.
Enjoy!
Nicely done!
I am using up all of our elk, bear and venison. We have a new chest freezer coming, but I fear it may not be here before Beau gets another bear...then he’s off to hunt Elk in CO & WY, then in January we’re hunting wild hog in TX. Well, Beau is hunting; I’m staying at the Spa/Casino for the weekend! :)
I also have 50# of ground hamburger to use up. We’re low-carbing it, so last might I made burgers on the grill, then instead of buns I topped the burgers with a thin slice of Swiss, and topped that with fried onions, mushrooms and green peppers. It was really good.
Next up this week? Good old fashioned Tater Tot Casserole, LOL!
That sounds good. We too love the Seeds of Change brown rice and quinoa. I like quinoa straight up but hubby does not so it’s one way to get some in our diets.