Since I was home yesterday I decided to throw together some hearty stew to keep us warm after shoveling snow.

I started with:
– 2 frozen cubed pork steaks
– 2 cups baby carrots
– about a cup of caramelized onions leftover from another day
– I can cream of chicken soup
– 1 can progresso meal starters, creamy mushroom flavor
– 1 to 1 1/2 cups chicken stock
– 1 package of red pepper flake from pizza delivery
– salt and pepper to taste

I mixed all the ingredients except the pork, salt, and pepper together in my crock pot until well combined. I them added the pork and covered with sauce mixture. I cooked on low for 7 hours or until pork is fork tender.

Pull out the pork and cut into hearty sized chunks:

Stir remaining sauce mixture and taste. Add salt and pepper to taste:

Combine all ingredients back together!

We served over some whole grain rice steamed with half water and half chicken stock. The soup is very hearty and rustic with the large chunks of pork and whole baby carrots. It would have been better with potatoes, but I am trying to use more whole grain sources and less starchy vegetables.

The creaminess of the soup and starter play well against the spiciness of the red pepper flake. The carrots were fork tender and the caramelized onions added a much richer texture than just adding raw uncooked onions. This recipe was very very filling and just what a snow day needed!

All in all not a bad made up on the fly recipe.