Saucy Cajun Round Steak



1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 tsp each salt and pepper
1 lb round steak
1 tbsp canola oil
2 strips bacon, chopped
2 onions, sliced
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 stalks celery, sliced
2 tsp Cajun seasoning
1 tsp dried thyme
1/4 cup tomato paste
1-1/2 cups beef stock
1 sweet green pepper, chopped
2 green onions, chopped
2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley

1. In large plastic bag, shake together flour, salt and pepper. Cut steak into 8 pieces. One piece at a time, seal steak in bag; pound with meat mallet to 1/4-inch thickness, working flour mixture into meat. Reserve any remaining flour mixture.
2. In Dutch oven, heat oil over medium-high heat; brown meat well, in batches if necessary. Remove to plate.
3. Add bacon to pan; cook over medium heat until crisp, about 5 minutes. Drain off fat. Add onions, garlic, celery, Cajun seasoning and thyme; cook, stirring, until onions are softened, about 5 minutes. Sprinkle with any reserved flour mixture; cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Whisk tomato paste into stock; pour into pan. Return steaks and any accumulated juices to pan.
4. Cover and simmer over low heat, turning steaks halfway through, 1 hour and 45 minutes. Add green pepper. Simmer, covered, until steaks are fork-tender and green pepper is tender-crisp, about 15 minutes. Sprinkle with green onions and parsley.

Serves 4

By The Canadian Living Test Kitchen