Kiss the Cook: Salisbury steak a perfect way to end a busy day

Busy days happen. Whether you are a single father, mother or a family on the go, simple, delicious recipes that are easily made in a slow cooker are a fantastic addition to your recipe box.
The recipe below can easily be assembled the evening before, stored in your refrigerator and then placed in the slow cooker in the morning before you dash off to work or you take your date on a fun hike.
When you return hungry hours later, an awesome comfort food awaits. The smell alone will make your mouth water.
I have found that using low sodium cream of mushroom soup, in place of regular cream soup, lowers the sodium content without sacrificing flavor. If you enjoy mushrooms, you can easily add a cup of sliced mushrooms to the gravy you pour over the beef.

BUSY-DAY SALISBURY STEAK
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 5 hours
Servings: 8

Ingredients:
2 pounds lean ground beef
1 (1 oz.) envelope dry onion soup mix
½ cup Italian seasoned bread crumbs
¼ cup milk
¼ cup all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 (10.75 oz) cans condensed low sodium cream of mushroom soup
1 (1 oz.) packet dry au jus mix
¾ cup water
1 cup sliced mushrooms (optional)

Directions:
1. In a large bowl, mix together the ground beef, onion soup mix, bread crumbs and milk using your hands. Divide into 8 and shape into patties.
2. Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Dredge the patties in the flour, just enough to coat and then quickly brown each side. Place the browned patties into a slow cooker, stacking them alternately. Mix together the cream of mushroom soup, au jus mix, water and optional sliced mushrooms in a medium bowl. Pour over the meat and cook on low for 5 hours until the beef is well done. (I have had mine on low for 10 hours while at work without any problems)
3. Serve on a bed of mashed potatoes.