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Family Recipe - Beef Stroganoff

Gretchen (9/7/03): I have never asked my sisters Loreece or Kayleen if they make Grandma Dalzen's recipe for Beef Stroganoff. I just really loved it, so I made it for my family and it has become one of our little traditions. It is one of the most requested meals for when there is a special occasion outside of Christmas or Thanksgiving.

     My mom used to collect recipes and did a lot of experimenting with different spices and combinations. Since her mother was into plain old meat and potatoes type of cooking, she tried to be more cosmopolitan. I remember her making enchiladas, Chinese food, etc. when I was child in Minnesota when no one else ate like that. She found this recipe on a Campbell's soup can and it was a favorite. Because a certain company put it out, they recommended "their" brand of products for everything. To this day, I use French's Worcestershire sauce and only Campbell's soups or it just doesn't "taste right".

     Most types of beef stroganoff are a light cream color and only call for a few tablespoons of tomato paste and also for wine. This one turns out an interesting light orange color which is totally different. For church parties, I have made it like a casserole in a large cake pan and put some buttered breadcrumbs with parmesan on it. Several times people will stop, look at it, make a face, then put a tiny little spoonful on the side of their plate. After about 15 minutes there will be a bunch of people walk over and start putting huge scoops on their plates. I've overheard comments like "I don't know what this funny colored stuff is but it's really good!"