Hamburger Stroganoff

I know this sounds fancy and complicated, but take a look to see how really easy it is. Delicious, too, but you don't just have to take my word for it . . . try it! Truly European, truly fulfilling.

Serves: 4

Cooking Time: 35 min

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup ( stick) margarine
• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 medium-sized onion, chopped (about cup)
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 can (8 ounces) mushroom stems and pieces, drained
• 1 can (10 ounces) cream of chicken soup
• 1/2 pound egg noodles
• 1 cup ( pint) low-fat sour cream

Instructions

1. In a large skillet, melt the margarine over medium heat; cook the ground beef and onion until the meat is browned and the onion is tender, stirring occasionally.
   
   
2. Stir in the flour, garlic powder, pepper, and mushrooms. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring constantly.
   
   
3. Reduce the heat to low and stir in the soup; simmer, uncovered, for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
   
   
4. Meanwhile, in a large pot of boiling salted water, cook the noodles to desired doneness; drain.
   
   
5. Remove the meat mixture from the heat and stir in the sour cream. Serve over the hot noodles.
   
   

Notes

Note: For a lower-fat stroganoff, substitute ground turkey for the ground beef and plain nonfat yogurt for the sour cream, and replace the soup with a low-fat cream of chicken soup. To "spice up" either version, add 1 teaspoon crushed dried thyme, 1 teaspoon crushed dried sage and 1 teaspoon paprika when you add the garlic.