whimsical wednesday

cooking for whimsical wednesday! we are preparing an old family recipe. any recipe that comes from a friend or family member, preferably a standard or special occasion recipe that was part of your growing up tradition.

i'm spending time with my mother and my brother will be visiting today. for supper i will be cooking mostacholli. it's a standard in our family and eaten throughout the st louis area, from which we originated. everyone in our large, extended family cooks mostacholli. i haven't had it in years so i am looking forward to both cooking and eating whimsical wednesday's chosen family recipe.

mostacholli recipe:

one to two pounds round steak, browned, cut into bite sized pieces (today weight was 1.75 lb)

saute the following in pan used to brown meat:
2 cups chopped celery
2 cups chopped green pepper
1/2 onion

add:
one large can of crushed tomatoes
1/2 tomato can of water (up to full can of water depending on consistency desired)
1 tablespoon chili powder
return cut up steak to the pan
cook until meat is tender and flavors blended. (cook on simmer for several hours)

during last 15 minutes of cooking:
add small can of mushrooms, liquid and all.

serve over noodles.

want more mostacholli? double the recipe.
as mom tells me, this is not a recipe a person cooking can ruin. go with it.  and change it up to suit personal taste! less celery, more green pepper, no mushrooms or more mushrooms. enjoy!