[Crockpot] Salisbury Steak

Today was the first day of my "Crock Pot for a Month" personal challenge, as I am trying to build my slow cooker recipe repertoire. I decided to attempt "Crockpot Salisbury Steak" from Moms with Crockpots. I wasn't disappointed! It was a delicious blend of beef, onion, garlic, mushroom, and black pepper. I know you can finish this dish in the oven instead of the crock pot but it really does help during that dinner rush. You know, the time when everyone seems to call, the baby has an explosion, the toddler decides to get into your garbage can, and the preschooler and kindergartner are destroying the living and dining rooms. Yup, those times that you feel you will lose the last ounce of sanity you have because you have no control over anything and dinner will be late or destroyed yet again. I digress...the nice thing about finishing this dish in the slow cooker is that you can start it during naptime and then let it finish cooking while you prep every other part of your meal. You feel like you've got things under control because the main dish WILL BE DONE at dinner time. So here's what I did.

• 2 lb. Lean Ground Beef
• 1 1/2 cups panko bread crumbs 
• 2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 2 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup minced onion, divided
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 8 oz mushrooms, sliced
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 2 cups water
• 1 cup coffee
• 3 teaspoons beef bouillon granules
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1/2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
• 1 1/2 tablespoons horseradish mustard
• 1 tablespoon worcestershire sauce
• 2 tablespoons milled ground flax seed (optional)

Directions

1. Mix everything from the ground beef down to half the onion together and shape into 10 patties about 3/4" thick. Cook in a skillet turning once until brown (about 3-5 minutes per side).
2. Remove from Skillet and place in crockpot or 9x13 baking dish.
3. Place remaining 1/2 of onion, mushroom, and butter in the skillet and saute for a few minutes. Combine all other ingredients in a bowl and add to the skillet. Heat until the gravy begins to thicken.
4. Poured the gravy over the meat patties and cook in the crockpot on low for 3 hours. You could also bake it in the oven at 350 for about 30 minutes.
5. Serve with mashed potatoes and a side of mixed veggies.

Makes 8-10 servings depending on how hungry you are and if you want leftovers for open-faced sandwiches (you know, over toasted homemade multi-grain bread that has been thick-sliced and then topped with mild brick cheese).