Mar. 15 - Hearty Beef & Potato Casserole

This is a very simple recipe - only takes 15 or 20 minutes of prep work (although the prep is tossing stuff in the microwave) and then it cooks for 15 or 20 minutes in the oven. It's low-cal (350 for one serving) and a good source of protein (almost 30 grams in a serving)...the downfall? It's LOADED with sodium. I mean, I'm talking all of your daily sodium intake pretty much in one dish - 1400 milligrams. If you don't mind being bloated, by all means, give it a shot! But, if you're at a risk for heart disease, stroke or kidney failure, you may want to try something a little less laden with sodium. I don't make it often, and when I do, I try to limit the sodium during the other parts of the day. Linds and the boy enjoy this one a lot, so I do it every once in awhile.

As far as Luke's eating is going, it's been awhile since I've updated. We've slowly started trying some finger foods with him and he's doing pretty well with them. He's a fan of Cheerios, Gerber puffs, goldfish crackers, saltines, cheese, pretzels, bread, and as of today, hot dogs! He gummed half of one for lunch in addition to a jar of food. For dinner, the kid ate like a ravenous monster - 2 jars of green beans, a jar of pears and a jar of beef mac-n-cheese with vegetables. Normally, he eats a jar or *maybe* a jar and a half. Four?! That's just crazy!

But, back to our meal...here it is:

Hearty Beef & Potato Casserole
Ingredients
1 package scalloped potatoes
1/2 cup milk
2 T butter
8 oz. sliced fresh carrots
1 pkg. (17 oz) precooked beef tips w/ gravy
1 can Italian-style diced tomatoes, drained
1 T red-wine vinegar
2 T Italian seasoned bread crumbs

Directions

1. Heat oven to 425. 
2. In a large glass bowl, prepare scalloped potatoes for baking (using 2 cups boiling water, ½ milk and 2 T butter). 
3. Place bowl in microwave and cook 5 minutes; stir and cook 5 minutes more. Set aside. 
4. In a medium bowl microwave carrots and 1 T water, covered, for 5 minutes. 
5. In a 1½ or 2 quart baking dish, stir together beef, cooked carrots, drained tomatoes and vinegar. 
6. Spoon potato mixture over beef mixture and sprinkle with bread crumbs. Spray top with vegetable cooking spray. Bake 15-20 minutes until hot and bubbly.