Saturday, June 30, 2012

Slow Cooker English Roast w/ Potatoes/Carrots/Onions

I'm a meat and potatoes girl.  So I was more than happy to make this dish today!  My youngest daughter is just like me, and I essentially put this on the menu for her, but well, I guess you can say I had my own selfish reasons as well, lol.  It's so flavorful, and so filling! But the best part is that it's sooo simple!

Ingredients:

- 1 English Roast, about 2-3 lbs.
- 2 small onions, sliced
- Half a bag of baby carrots
- About 5-6 potatoes, quartered
- 1 pkg. Onion Soup Mix
- 2 Cups water
- Salt and Pepper to taste


Directions:

1.  Slice up your onions and toss them into your slow cooker.



2.  Open up your roast and season it LIBERALLY with salt and pepper.  You have a lot of meat here, so don't be afraid to season it up!


3.  Place the roast on top of the onions


4.  Pour the onion soup mix onto the roast and surround it with the carrots.  I don't use a lot of carrots here b/c we're not super carrot-y type people.  Whatever that means.....



5.  Now quarter your potatoes and place along side and on top of the roast.  Pour in the water.



6.  Set your slow cooker on low and cook for 8 hours. 

Here's the final product.....

My daughter ended up having two helpings!  It was so moist, flavorful and satisfying.  Make this classic soon!  Enjoy! 

Friday, June 29, 2012

Pea Salad

The first time I heard about Pea Salad was from my husband.  It was something that his family made often, and he mentioned one evening that he had a craving for it.  Being that we were newly married and I wanted to "please my man" so to speak, lol, I told him I would make him Pea Salad no problem!  However, the idea of Pea Salad didn't sound appealing to me.  I was definitely skeptical on how this dish would taste!  Thankfully, I was pleasantly surprised!  Not only was Pea Salad easy to make, but it tasted delicious!  Now, it's a regular item on our menu.  I encourage you to try this salad, even if you're put off by the idea of it as I was!  I think, like I was, you'll be surprised at how much you enjoy it!

Ingredients:

- 3 cans Peas, drained
- 2 small onions or 1 large onion, diced
- 1 jar Sweet pickles, diced
- 1 lb Cheddar Cheese, cubed
- Mayo to taste


Directions:

1.  Begin by draining  your peas.  Toss them into a large bowl.


2.  Chop up your onions, pickles, and cheese and toss them into the bowl as well. 





3.  Stir together the peas, onions, pickles, and cheese.  Make sure you have an almost equal amount of all items. 

4.  Now, add in the mayo.  Make sure you add enough to completely dress the salad.


5.  Once you have the salad mixed together well, refrigerate overnight. 

Here's the final product.....
I served mine alongside some burgers.  It was delicious!!  Hope you try this and enjoy!

Monday, June 25, 2012

Meal Plan Monday (6/25 thru 7/1)

I know I forgot last week...oops!  But it's another day and another week, so here is what we're having this week.....

MONDAY 6/25
- Breaded Pork Chops
- Mac N Cheese
- Broccoli
- Side Salad


TUESDAY 6/26
- Hamburgers
- Pea Salad
- Side Salad


WEDNESDAY 6/27
- Chili Cheese Dogs
- Leftover Pea Salad
- Fruit Salad
- Chips

THURSDAY 6/28
- Garlic Bread Pizza
- Side Salad
- Sherbet (for dessert!)

FRIDAY 6/29
- Chicken Fries
- Mashed Potatoes
- Brussel Sprouts
-Side Salad

SATURDAY 6/30
- Pot Roast (crock pot)
- Potatoes/Onions/Carrots
- Side Salad

SUNDAY 7/1
- Leftovers! 

Tuesday, June 19, 2012

Chipolte Shredded Beef Tacos

This is one of my and my husband's favorite dishes!  I don't remember where I found this recipe, but I tried it about a year ago and have been making it AT LEAST once per month ever since!  When this meal is on the meal plan, we are both just WAITING for that day to come, lol.  It's sad, really, how much we love this dish!  And, it's made in the crock pot with just a bit of prep work, so it's pretty simple!  Here it is....

Ingredients:

- 1 Beef Roast (about 3-5lbs will do)
- 1 C. Beef Broth
- 2 Tablespoons Tomato Paste
- 2 Medium sized onions, chopped
- 1 Tablespoon Garlic, jarred
- 1 can of Chipolte Peppers in Adobo Sauce
- Spice Rub (consisting of:  Chili Powder, Cayenne, Cumin, Red Pepper Flakes, Paprika, Black Pepper, and Salt.  About 2 Tablespoons each)


Directions:

1.  Make your spice rub.  Pour all the spices into a bowl and move them around with a fork or small whisk.  Set aside.


2.  Chop up your onions and set aside.


3.  Open up your can of Chipolte peppers and take out about 5 of the peppers.  You can save the rest for another time in a container in the fridge.  They last a while in there.  If you've never used Chipolte peppers before, they are a smoked Jalapeno, so they have a smoky flavor and a lot of spice!  Some are spicer than others, so tread lightly.  We like spicy so I go for the gusto!  Chop up your peppers and set aside. 

4.  Open up your beef roast and pour a bit of the spice rub on one side.  Using your hands, rub the spices into the roast.  Make sure to do each side and the edges of the roast.  You want to completely cover the entire slab of meat with this!  (You will most definitely make a mess while doing this....if you do it right that is! ;-))


5.  Now heat a bit (tiny bit!) of oil (I use olive oil) in a frying pan over High heat.  You're going to sear the meat to give it a nice crust on each side.  Once your pan is hot, place the roast on one side in the pan and leave it be for a couple of minutes.  It will smoke and sizzle like it's burning...don't be afraid!  This will give it it's bark and be delicious later!  After a couple of minutes, change sides. (I am aware that my pan is well loved....but damn it sure works great, lol!) 


6.  While your meat is searing, get your tomato paste, beef broth, and peppers ready to be added to the pan.  You'll also need your handy dandy whisk here!


7.  When your meat is finished searing on both sides, remove it to the crock pot.  Put your burner on medium heat and pour in your beef broth, your tomato paste, and the chipolte peppers.  Give it a nice whisk to incorporate all of the tomato paste and to get all the bits of meat/seasoning off of the bottom of the pan.  This will create flavor in your sauce.  Let your sauce thicken for a couple of minutes.


8.  Once your sauce is thick, turn off the pan, toss the onions and garlic over your roast in your crock pot and pour the sauce over all of that.  Set your crock pot on low and cook for about 8 hours.  Right before serving, shred the beef with a fork.  It will fall right apart.  Once it's shredded, mix it with the sauce and allow that to cook for another 30 minutes in the crock pot.


Here's the final product.....


I use just a sprinkle of shredded cheese on mine, but you can garnish with your favorite taco toppings.  The beef is melt in your mouth goodness, with a nice kick of spice from the onions and the peppers.  Try this sometime...I guarantee you will not be sorry!  Enjoy!

*Just a note...I usually make my rub and chop up all my peppers and onions the night before for easier prep the next day. :-) *

Wednesday, June 13, 2012

Firestarter Chili

This is my super simple, super SPICY chili recipe!  It's made in the crock pot so it's nice and thick!  You can eat it as is, or use it as a great topping for hot dogs, baked potatoes, or french fries!  Try it out sometime, but be for warned....this is HOT!

Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 to 2lbs Ground Beef
- 2 Cans Kidney beans, drained/rinsed
- 1 Can Black beans, drained/rinsed
- 2 Cans Rotel w/Habanero
- 1 28oz. Can of Garlic and Herb Pasta Sauce
- Pickled Jalapenos
- Onion, chopped (either 2 regular sized, 1 large, or 3 small)
- Garlic
- Cumin
- Cayenne
- Paprika
- Chili Powder
-Red Pepper Flakes
- Salt/Pepper


Directions:

1.  Brown your ground beef in a pan until fully cooked.

2.  While your ground beef cooks, chop up your onion, drain/rinse your beans, and get your jalapenos ready.


3.  Once your meat is done, drain and add to your crock pot.  Add in your spices.  I do not measure mine, I just eyeball how much I think it will need.  However, if I had to guesstimate, I add about 1 1/2 tablespoon of each.  Also add in your garlic.


4.  Pour in your tomatoes.  Then your beans mixture.  Stir well.


5.  Add your can of pasta sauce and stir again.


6.  Set your crock pot on low and cook for at least 8 hours.  Stir every couple of hours.
 

Here's the final product.....

You can serve with as is, with crackers, cheese, sour cream....well, the possibilities are endless!  Hope you make this sometime soon.  Enjoy!