Island Beef (Recipe)

If you're looking for sweet-and-sour flavor in a slow cooker, try this dish with strips of beef, tangy pineapple, green peppers, and tomatoes in a sweet-and-sour-flavored brown sauce.  Serve over steamed white rice.

Ingredients

2 to 2 1/2 pounds beef top round steak, trimmed of fat

2 large onions, cut into 12 thin wedges each

1 (20 ounce) can unsweetened pineapple chunks, juice reserved

1/2 cup homemade or canned beef broth

5 tablespoons red wine vinegar

3/4 teaspoon garlic powder

3/4 teaspoon seasoned salt

3/4 teaspoon imported sweet paprika

1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1 green bell pepper, cut into 1-inch squares

1 red bell pepper, cut into 1-inch squares

3 tablespoons brown sugar

1 1/2 tablespoons cornstarch

2 tablespoons soy sauce

2 large tomatoes, cut into wedges

Steps

1.  Cut the beef into thin strips diagonally across the grain.  Add to 3 1/2 or 4 quart electric slow cooker.  Add the onions, pineapple juice broth, 3 tablespoons of the vinegar, the garlic powder, seasoned salt, paprika, and black pepper.  Mix well.

2.  Cover and cook on the low heat setting 6 to 6 1/2 hour, or until the beef is just tender.

3.  Increase the heat setting to high.  Stir in the green and red pepper squares and the brown sugar.  Mix together the cornstarch, soy sauce, and remaining 2 tablespoons vinegar.  Stir into the cooker, blending well.  Cook, covered, on high 45 to 60 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens slightly.  Just before serving, stir in the tomato wedges and pineapple chunks.