Maybe I was just very uncultured with food as a kid but growing up on my mother’s home cooking I just thought there was one way to make everything and that was that. It wasn’t really until I was in college, and later dating my now-husband and started having dinners with his family that I really came to notice differences. For example chicken and broccoli. I thought everyone put curry in their chicken and broccoli because it’s how my mother always did it. Apparently that’s not the norm. And apparently chicken and broccoli doesn’t even really have to be made in a casserole dish. What?? Yeah. Chicken and broccoli can be just chicken and broccoli side by side on a plate. Who knew. My mother’s version and beef and gravy is different than this one. The beef is in chunks and the gravy is a little bit creamier and she usually serves it over rice. In fact we call it Slow Cooker Beef On Rice and it is truly the kind of comfort food you need after a long week and get a little homesick for your childhood Sunday dinners. But this version I’m sharing with you today is inspired by my mother-in-law’s recipe for Swiss Steak. It has onions and mushrooms and a rich beef gravy that tenderizes the meat so it just melts in your mouth. Slow cooker Swiss steak is one my favorite dishes my husband’s mother makes so making it at our home and making it a little more my style was a must. Today I’m serving it straight up but with mashed potatoes or rice this dish is even ten times better – just a tip if you’re looking for something to serve alongside this deliciousness!
