Monday, April 19, 2010

Mormon Stew (And a really funny story!)

2 lbs. London Broil, cubed into large bite size pieces
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 can cream of celery soup
1 envelope dry onion soup
1 c. water

Put all ingredients in casserole dish. Cover with foil and then the lid. Cook 3 hours at 350 degrees. Do not stir or uncover while cooking.

Serve over mashed potatoes, noodles or rice.

From whence it came: This really tasty recipe came from the grandma of The Spy Who Loves Me. Do you remember me talking about Grandma Annie, his sweet sweet grandma who lived to be 101? Well, this is his other grandma. She was a great lady too, but a bit saucy. I could tell you the funniest story ever about her, but I'd have to use a cuss word to do it, so I'll refrain. I'll tell you another super funny story about her below. She was hilarious without ever meaning to be. Her name was Leigh and she was married to Gordon, or as everyone called him, Pop. They were such a funny funny couple. They would constantly correct each other under their breath. I would try so hard not to laugh when I was around them, but sometimes I just couldn't control myself. Ya know how people sometimes store food for emergencies? Well, Grandma and Grandpa Anderson stored prunes. Yep, prunes! I don't even want to know why. When Grandpa passed away and we cleaned out the house we found enough prunes to feed an army...for a year! Grandma Anderson was very talented and a great seamstress. She pretty much said what was on her mind, and sometimes what was on her mind was feisty. She was a wonderful lady, and this recipe is proof that she was also a really good cook!

Why it's blogable: Five ingredients and one is water...need I say more! This will make your home smell like you're cooking something fabulous...because you are! When your family comes home and smells this they will hug you and dance with joy. Really, have the video camera ready, it's sure to be a Kodak moment.

Why it's called Mormon Stew: I have no idea! The really funny thing is that Grandma Anderson wasn't a Mormon, but I have the recipe card with her handwriting on it and it says Mormon Stew. Call it what you wish, I call it delicious!

The really funny story: One day quite a few years back, when Grandma Anderson and Pop were still alive, The Spy Who Loves Me stopped by their little old house that they'd lived in for a million or so years just to see how they were doing. Grandma said she was doing fine, except for the annoying beep she kept hearing in her ear. She was so frustrated, said she'd been to the doctor to complain about it, but there was just nothing anyone could do to stop it.

Grandpa said that sometimes the beep in her ear was so loud that even he could hear it. The Spy Who Loves Me, being a spy and all, was determined to get to the bottom of the ear beeping business. He sat on the couch and asked question after question about her beeping ear, basically interrogating the poor little old lady. He told her that he just couldn't believe her ear could beep, but Grandpa jumped right in and defended her, saying that he'd heard it and he knew it to be true.

As The Spy Who Loves Me sat there trying to get to the bottom of it, the most amazing thing happened. A beep. There was a beep. Grandma jumped to her feet and said, "There, did you hear that? Did you hear that beep in my ear?" "I heard it," said Grandpa, looking at The Spy Who Loves Me with a "take that you little whipper snapper" look on his face.

The Spy Who Loves Me looked at both of them and then asked his final question of the day. "Do you two have a smoke detector?" No, we're not kidding. Those two little old cuties needed a new battery in their smoke alarm. They'd convinced themselves that Grandma's ear had developed a terminal beep, even been to the doctor to try and remedy the situation, when all they needed were a couple of double A's. We laughed about that story until we cried, and peed our pants. We still crack up every time we retell it. It's quite possibly the funniest story of all time. The Spy Who Loves Me told it during his eulogy of Grandma Anderson. Everyone cracked up, except Pop. He didn't think it was funny! We love you, Grandma Anderson...beep and all!

Hope you enjoy stirring it up!

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