Easy Crockpot Beef and Broccoli

I will be the first to admit, I am a sucker for Chinese food or a buffet.  Goodness how I love the yummy, saucy, fried amazingness that it contains.  Cream cheese wontons, sesame chicken, egg rolls, fried rice, beef and broccoli.  Oh my soul!!


I do not love the fact that it all goes straight to my waist though.  Ladled with sweet sauces and most things being fried and full of ingredients that aren't the best in the world, I went on a quest to find something that would bust the calorie bank and that I could be ok with feeding my family.  I think this mish-mash of things I found, coupled with the fact that it goes in the crockpot, accomplishes just that!  Now mind you, I did cook my broccoli in the crockpot, because I was just too busy that day to steam it and then just stir it in.  But you could definitely do that to preserve the brightness of the veggie and keep some crunch to it.  My oldest little isn't a fan of crunch so the longer I could cook it, the better for him, so I went with it.  Makes him happy, makes it easier for me...I mean it's pretty much a win-win.

And my gosh don't you adore these dishes?  Thanks Ree Drummond-The Pioneer Woman for making her beautiful collection that I know spend every leftover penny on.  (It's worth it!!!)  This is the teak set from Cowgirl Lace.  I don't just kinda love it....I REALLY love it.  I am still on the hunt for the Charlie cookie jar, so if you see it, please let me know!

Now on with the food!

Recipe

• 1.5 lbs of lean, thin cut steak  (flank is preferred, but if you can't find it or its too pricey, opt for a cheaper cut, like thinner round, etc.  You are cooking in the slow cooker so you don't have to use an expensive cut.)
• 1-2 cups of low sodium beef broth (opt for closer to the 2 cups if you are going to cook your broccoli in the slow cooker.)
• 2/3 cup of Liquid Aminos (I use Bragg's.  If you prefer here, you can use soy sauce but if you have never tried the liquid aminos they truly are quite awesome.)
• 1/3 Truvia brown sugar blend 
• 1 Tbsp of sesame oil
• 1 Tbsp minced garlic
• 1/4 to 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper 
• 4 cups of broccoli (I used frozen and just threw it in, no thawing...I'm low maintenance like that.)
• 1-2 Tbsps cornstarch mixed with 4 Tbsps cold water for thickening (make sure cornstarch fully dissolves)

1. Cut your steak into strips, roughly about 2 inches.  Add the steak, broth, aminos, brown sugar blend, sesame oil, garlic, and red pepper to the slow cooker, cover, and cook on low for about 4 hours.
2. Add the broccoli and continue to cook, covered on low for 2 more hours.
3. About 30 minutes before its completed the 8 hour cooking, take the cornstarch & water mixture and stir it into the cooker and let it cook the last 30 minutes (still covered).
4. Enjoy with some brown rice on the side!

Let me know what you guys think of this one.  Our family loved it!

Misty