german apple pancake

1/2 cup flour
1 tbsp sugar
1/2 tsp salt
2 eggs
2/3 cup half-and-half
1 tsp vanilla
2 tbsp butter
3 or 4 large apples, peeled, cored, quartered, and sliced 1/2 inch thick
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 tsp cinnamon
powdered sugar

Heat the oven to 500 degrees. Put the butter in a large skillet and melt over medium-high heat. While waiting for it to melt, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, and salt in a large bowl. In another bowl whisk the eggs, half-and-half and vanilla. Mix the wet ingredients with the dry until there are no more lumps.

When the butter is melted add the apples, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Cook until the apples are golden brown and soft, about 10 minutes.

Quickly pour the batter around the edges of the skillet, then over the apples. Put the skillet in the oven and immediately reduce the heat to 425. Bake 18 minutes. Loosen the edges from the hot skillet and invert onto a serving platter. Dust with powdered sugar and cut into wedges. Serves about 4.

beef stroganoff

1 lb round steak, cut into bite-size pieces OR pre-cut stew meat
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1/2 diced onion
2 tbsp butter
1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 cup water

Brown the meat in a skillet. Add the onion and cook until soft. Add the remaining ingredients then cover and let simmer, stirring occasionally, for 45 minutes. Serve over white rice or noodles.