TV Dinner Nostalgia! Salisbury Steak & 2 Onion and Mushroom Gravy

Salisbury steak was always my go-to tv dinner.  Whenever I was little and was treated to one, that's just what I chose.  The juicy meat, the smooth gravy and chunky mushrooms ...Mmmmm - commence mouth watering! But now as a semi-grown up (hehe)- when you really think about it, tv dinners are not super healthy. I try as often as I can to recreate tv dinners or takeout and make the same thing at home with less salt, carbs, and preservatives. I get a great deal of satisfaction out of knowing exactly what goes into my meals. With a little bit of planning anyone can do it!  This salisbury steak recipe is sure to bring you back the same tv dinner nostalgia but the difference is, this one's healthy! The only thing that includes carbs that I consider "counting carbs" is the whole wheat flour and whole wheat breadcrumbs. Healthy and yummy! What makes it better is I serve it along side one of my cauliflower mash recipes and the meal is complete!

I start off with 2 eggs in a large bowl- makes for easy mixing.

Add in Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper.

Then add in the thyme, parsley, garlic powder, and onion powder.

Whisk together until combined.

Mix in some breadcrumbs- these are my favorite! 

With clean hands add in the ground beef and mix together.

Form the mixture into patties.  I did 3 but you could also do 2 big patties or 5 small patties. 

I also like to follow my friend Ree aka The Pioneer Woman. She puts the texture into the meat with the heal of her hand and ever since she did that, I do too. I think it makes it taste better ;)

Look at that meat mixture! Great colors!

Next its time to start the sauce!

While the meat patties are browning on the stove in a separate sauce pan combine beef broth, half and half, thyme, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, and pepper and heat up and keep at medium low heat. We are going to add this mixture in slowly to the rue I'm about to make. This step allows these ingredients to meld together to enhance the flavors of my sauce!

After the meat is browned remove it from the pan onto a plate. Add onions into the same pan that the meat was browned in and sauce for a minute or so. Yummy already!

I am using a combination of red and white onions merely because there was a sale on the two kinds in one bag at the store. But you can use all white, all red, or a mixture- it doesn't matter!

Then add in the mushrooms!

Allow mushrooms to cook down for a few minutes...

...Until they are golden brown and have absorbed most of the liquid.

What a beautiful color! 

Then remove them from the pan.

To the same pan lower the heat and add in some butter. Once it's melted sprinkle with whole wheat flour.

Cook out the flour taste by whisking for about 3 minutes.

Add in the reserved stock that was keeping warm on the stove. Add in a little at a time whisking in each batch.

Then add the mushrooms and onions back in!

It's really coming together now! 

Then, place patties in the skillet and spoon sauced over each one. 

Cover and simmer on medium low heat for 15 minutes.

Then it's ready to eat!!!

I bet ya think those are potatoes... they're not! It's cauliflower :)

Salisbury Steak Patties:
1 lb Ground Beef
2 Eggs
1/2 tsp Pepper
2 tsp Salt
1 tsp Onion Powder
1 tsp Garlic Powder
2 tsp Worcestershire Sauce
3 tsp Parsley, dried
1/2 tsp Thyme, Fresh or 1/4 tsp dried
1/4 cup plus 2 Tbsp Whole Wheat Bread Crumbs

Combine egg, salt, pepper, onion powder, garlic powder,  Worcestershire sauce, parsley and thyme and whisk together until well combined. Add in ground meat and mix with clean hands. add in 1/4 cup bread crumbs, mix again and add in additional 2 tbsp and give one last mix. Form into 3 patties and score the top to resemble steak- you don't have to but its more fun that way.

Sauce:
2 cups Beef Stock
1/4 cup Half and Half
1/8 tsp Black Pepper
1/2 tsp Worcestershire Sauce
1/2 tsp Fresh Thyme
1/2 tsp Soy Sauce
8 oz mushrooms
1/2 white onion, slices thin
1/2 red onion, sliced thin
2 Tbsp Whole Wheat Flour
4 Tbsp Butter
2 Tbsp Olive Oil

In a sauce pan heat up beef stock, half and half, thyme, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, and pepper. Once warmed keep on medium low heat until its added to the sauce.

Melt 2 tbsp butter and 2 tbsp oil on a cast iron skillet over medium high heat.  Cook the patties 5 minutes per side then transfer to a plate. Into the same skillet add in onions and sauté for 1 minute then add in the mushrooms and cook for 4-5 minutes.  Remove the mushrooms and onions to a plate.
Add in remaining 2 tbsp butter and turn heat down to medium. Once the butter is melted add in 2 tbsp flour and whisk around for about 2-3 minutes. Then add in the warm broth mixture 1/4 at a time whisking after each 1/4. Then add the mushrooms back into the pan and stir.  Add patties back in and cover with sauce mixture. Turn heat down to medium low, cover and let simmer for 15 minutes.
Then it's ready!
I am serving this dish over my cauliflower mash!
Enjoy!

... it can be healthy and low carb too!