Making Homemade TV Dinners

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QC Life) - Today we celebrate the iconic TV Dinner.

Gerry Thomas, a salesman with Swanson came us with the idea in 1953.

They have evolved over the years into the microwave age.

But let’s be honest, those dinners never taste or look as good as they do on the box.

So, we asked Chef Jill Aker-Ray to help us make an elevated version of the classic Salisbury Steak dinner.

Watch the segment to see how she does it.

She also shared her recipe:

Salisbury Steak

Chef Jill Aker-Ray

For The Steaks

1 pound lean ground beef (90/10 or 93/7)
1/4 cup panko breadcrumbs
1 large egg , beaten
2 teaspoons ketchup
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano or thyme
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil or combo of butter and oil (for the skillet)

For The Gravy

2 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 tablespoons flour
1 1/2 cups beef stock
1 tablespoon ketchup
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
6 ounces sliced cremini mushrooms
Salt and pepper , to taste
In a large bowl, mix together all the ingredients for the steaks (except the oil) until combined.
Shape the mixture into 4 equal oval patties, about 3/4-inch thick.
In a large nonstick skillet, warm the olive oil over medium-high heat; add the steaks and cook, about 3 minutes per side until they get a nice golden crust (reducing the heat if they’re browning too much.) Transfer to a plate.
Reduce the heat to medium and in the same skillet with the drippings, add butter. Once melted, add in the flour and whisk until combined and no lumps remain.
Reduce heat to medium-low and pour in the beef stock, whisking well. Add in the ketchup, Worcestershire, onion powder, whisking to combine.
Add in the mushrooms, then simmer for about 5 minutes to thicken. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.

Add the partially cooked steaks back to the skillet and nestle into the gravy; cover and cook another 10 minutes until cooked through to your liking.

Chef Jill Aker-Ray taught us how to make an elevated TV dinner.