Max Gail's Beef Stroganoff

Sometime back in the '70s I saw Max Gail on a daytime talk show cooking this dish. It was the Dinah Shore Show, which probably gives away my age. Max Gail played Det. Stan Wojciehowicz in "Barney Miller" for several years. Anyway, he cooked this very simply and quickly and I wrote down the sketchy recipe he gave as he did it. I usually adapt it slightly but I always refer back to this one for the basic stroganoff.

This is THE basic recipe he gave:

1 lb. meat

onion

mushrooms

1 cup sour cream

1 can beef consomme

egg noodles

salt and pepper

Put meat in a pan. When its on it's way to being cooked, add onions, mushrooms, consomme, and seasoning. Throw noodles in the same pot; not too many. Cover and cook until the noodles are tender. Add sour cream and heat. Serve.

Now this is what I do:

I use lean ground beef, or thin strips of round steak

1 medium onion thinly sliced 1/2 to 1 lb. fresh sliced mushrooms

5 or 6 handfuls of dry egg noodles

1 can Cambell's beef consomme

a couple dashes Worcestershire sauce

1/2 teaspoon thyme

1/2 teaspoon seasoning salt

1/8 teaspoon nutmeg

1 Tablespoon dry parsley (fresh would be better)

1 teaspoon dried dill (fresh would also be good)

1 small container of sour cream

I use the same simple method, just give it a little flavor. Don't add more liquid or it will become soupy. The noodles need to be stirred in and stirred a few times until they are tender, about 10-15 minutes. Serve and sprinkle some parsley on top.