A new take on the old TV Dinner Entree

Remember when you were a little and frozen tv dinners were all the rage?  The aluminum foil pan that you would bake in the oven, take the out and sit in front of the tv using TV trays.  Remember those days?  Well you probably would've had to grow up in the 70's  to experience this dinner treat.  Note how great this looks when plated with egg noodles and green beans topped with blue cheese.

Now days it is a little plastic dish you throw in the microwave and in about 3 minutes you have your dinner, thanks to Stouffers or Lean Cuisine.  Will this dish reminds of what you would find in the freezer aisle way back when.  Salisbury Steak, minus the apple pie or chocolate cake square in the corner.  But this dish has something the old TV dinners didn't have.....tons of flavor.

We had these Monday night and I took the leftovers out to my mom for her dinner.  She called last night and said that whoever cooked these could cook for her anytime.  The beef was delicious ans has great seasoning, but I really think the gravy made it.  

Salisbury Steak Redefined

2 pounds ground beef
Salt, pepper and granulated garlic (we use Penzey's granulated garlic)
1 large onion, halved and sliced
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 packet brown gravy mix
1 1/3 cups cold water

Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cut ground beef into large chunks and season liberally on all sides with salt, pepper and granulated garlic. Add seasoned meat to hot skillet and let sear for several minutes before turning. Add onion slices around the perimeter of the skillet and season with salt and pepper.

Once the meat has seared on one side, gently flip so that it can sear on the other sides as well. If you try to mess with the meat too much it will crumble. By letting it sear on the top then bottom it will keep its shape.

Gently stir and turn onions as you sear the meat. Once meat is seared on all (or most) sides, push the meat and onions to one side of the pan. Tilt pan slightly so that the pan drippings come to the empty side of the pan. Whisk flour into pan drippings and cook for 1-2 minutes or until slightly browned. Set skillet back down flat and reduce heat to low.

Add brown gravy packet to a small bowl then whisk in water. Slowly pour gravy mixture into skillet and stir to incorporate. Cover and simmer over low heat for 15-20 minutes or until meat is cooked through.

Serve over egg noodles.