by Sam Madsen

Created on: April 12, 2009   Last Updated: July 01, 2011

With today's economy the way it is, being able to eatwell can actually be questionable for some folks out there, who are trying to make ends meet. If you can scrape together just a few dollars, you can still manage to feed your family a good wholesome meal, that will be sure to fill them up and make you feel as if you provided a good home cooked meal.

OK, so the kitchen is not completely bare and you have a few basic items, so now you still have to come up with a nutritional and belly filling meal that won't have your kids running from the table. This is actually a "fast and easy" to prepare meal that involves (meat and potatoes).

The stuff that sticks to your ribs kinda good. It's called home made

"Tips and Gravy"

Now we are going to make beef tips out of stew beef and it will taste wonderful and leave you with a happy belly. Yes even the kids will like it!

Ingredients needed:

1 Package of stew beef

1 can cream of mushroom soup

Dash of salt and Pepper ( depends on you flavor choice)

cup of milk

1 cup marinade ( your choice) Dales is good for this, something with a little substance.

The kind you can see the spices in the mixture.

It sticks to the meat better and you will have to do less to spice things up.

to 1 lb of potatoes (based on number of people eating)

Start by cutting the meat into small pieces and trimming off any fat.

Next place all the cut meat in a pan r bowl to marinade for about half (1/2) an hour.

After marinade time is up, place in a large frying pan.

On a medium heat, slowly brown the meat, until completely cooked.

In separate bowl mix cream of mushroom soup, salt, pepper and milk

After it is thoroughly mixed, pour over simmering meat.

Stir in to combine well and let simmer for about 20 minutes.

Remove from heat and let stand for about 5 minutes before serving.

Sauce will thicken upon standing, to be more like a gravy, than a sauce.

If you find that the gravy has (not) thickened as much as you would have liked, then add some baking soda. Just a very small amount at a time and stir constantly to prevent any lumps from forming. Use a fork, this will make it easier to get rid of the lumps and it is easy to stir with.

Peal potatoes and cut into chunks

Place in a medium size pot and boil potatoes, until they are soft when poked with a fork.

Drain potatoes and mush, (with a mixer or by hand) stir in milk,(slowly as not to add to much milk)continue with adding the butter, salt and pepper.

Now serve with potatoes mounded and a dip in the middle to hold all the goodness in the meat and gravy to be placed in the center. Add a slice of buttered bread and you now have a complete, nutritious dinner for 4. This may be enough and no other veggie will be needed. If your lucky enough to have any left, it taste great as a left over also.

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