best ever pot roast

i've always tossed a roast into the crock with some mild seasoning and veggies. this refined recipe ratchets the taste factor 100%.

a roast
olive oil
beef rub (recipe below)
worchesterchire sauce
2 onions, chopped
5 carrots, chopped
water

preheat a large pan on med-high heat. add 2 tbsp olive oil to pan.

rinse and dry roast. lightly oil both sides. pat generous amount of rub on one side and place rub-side down on hot pan. pat remainder of rub on raw side up. let roast cook for about 4 min - until there is a very brown crust. flip roast and pan fry other side.

set roast on veggies in a crock pot. add 1/4 C water to base. add worchesterchire sauce to top of roast. cover and slow cook for 6-8 hrs. use dripping to create a gravy.

give the dog a bone.

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easy steak rub

combine desired ingredients to create a spicy sweet rub for any beef.

2 tbsp brown sugar
1 tbsp fresh pepper
1 tbsp sea salt
1 tbsp coriander
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp red pepper flakes

measurements are approximate and ingredients can be altered. red pepper flakes will create spicy crock veggies and gravy.

bbq sweet corn

wrapped in foil, the corn doesn't lose any of its sweet goodness!

4 ears of corn
4 tbsp butter
salt & pepper to taste
foil

husk and wash each ear of corn. set aside.

tear 4 pieces of foil large enough to wrap around corn. smear 1 tbsp of butter on each piece of foil, shake on desired salt & pepper. wrap corn tightly in buttered foil. cook on a hot grill for approx 20 min. make the corn the first thing you add and last thing you take off the grill. tear off foil and enjoy!

country potatoes

nothing like a side of fried potatoes to go with your steak, or eggs, or both! simple, easy and flavorful.

10-12 small potatoes, quartered
1 small sweet onion
pepper to taste
olive oil

preheat a medioum saucepan with 1 tbsp oil. add potatoes and onion. toss to coat in oil, and cook until potatoes can be easily poked with fork.

coffee frap

my own knock-off of the spendy frappuccino. a great way to reuse your leftover pot of coffee from the morning.

6 coffee cubes*
1/4 C non-fat milk
1/4 C cold coffee
1/2 C vanilla ice cream
2 Tbsp chocolate syrup (optional)

add all ingredients into a blender. blend until completely incorporated. makes 1 grande size.

*use leftover coffee to make 'ice cubes'. save in a ziplock for fraps or to prevent diluting your iced coffees.

pico de gallo

my own creation to mimic the restaurant version.

3 roma tomatoes
1 sm white onion
1/2 jalepeno pepper
1/4 tsp chili pepper flakes
1/4 tsp black pepper
1/2 lime fresh squeezed
finely shredded cabbage (optional)

dice tomato, onion and pepper to small cubes. combine in a bowl. add spices and lime juice. toss thouroughly and evenly. let sit in the refridgerator for an hour, or overnight to blend flavors. serve with tortilla chips. add cabbage for added crunch and flavor.

make it a meal by serving it atop grilled chicken breast.

classic potato salad

a recipe for every family, here's my take on a classic summer potato salad.

6-8 boiled potatoes, cooled and diced
3 boiled eggs, cooled and diced
1/4 C diced celery
1/4 C finely cubed cheddar cheese

Dressing:
equal parts mayo & sour cream
yellow mustard
pickle relish
pepper

Combine all ingredients into a large bowl.

Adjust the dressing ingredients to your preference.

Strawberry Spinach Salad

this is a summer favorite i got from a friend years back and have adapted. you'll quickly fall in love with this recipies ease and adaptability.

green onions, sliced
chopped almonds
strawberries, sliced
baby spinach
grilled chicken, cooled (opt)

Dressing:
1/4C vegetable oil
1/4C sugar
2 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
1/4 tsp worchestire sauce
dash paprika
2 tsp poppy seeds

Mix dressing together and toss with salad just prior to serving.

scratch flap jacks

time to break out of the box. quick, easy and perfect for make-ahead planning!

1 cup flour
1 tbsp white sugar
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
pinch salt
1 cup buttermilk
2 tbsp milk
1 1/2 tbsp butter, melted
vanilla
1 egg

quickly mix all ingredients in order. do not overmix. add egg in last.

cover with plastic wrap and store in fridge overnight.

mix will grow and fluff. bring to room temp (about 20min) and ladle into a hot greased pan.

STARBUCKS banana walnut bread

Both my kids and I love this treat at the BUX, but it gets spendy when we all want a piece. Starbucks offered out this recipe so we can make it at home!

2 cups flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
1 egg
1 1/8 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 tbsp. buttermilk
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
3 ripe bananas (mashed)
1/2 + 1/3 cup chopped walnuts

preheat oven to 325 degrees. grease a loaf pan and dust with flour.

blend together the flour, baking soda and salt and set aside. in seperate bowl, mix together the egg, sugar and vegetable oil until combined. add flour mix and when blended add the buttermilk, vanilla and mashed bananas and mix until combined.

fold in 1/2 cup chopped walnuts and pour batter into prepared loaf pan. top batter with remaining 1/3 cup of chopped walnuts.

bake for 45-60 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

cool for 10 minutes on a wire rack before removing from pan.

taco soup

hands-down easiest dinner. makes a ton, and freezable! i like ground turkey for a healthier option, but ground beef works too. this recipe can be adapted to your flavor/spice preferences. do not drain any of the cans, this makes the "soup", but I recommend 'low-sodium' options.

using a large crock pot, or stock pot, add the following:
2 cans diced tomatoes
1 can whole kernel corn
1 can pinto beans
1 can red kidney beans
1 can white beans
1 can ranch beans (pinto with flavoring @ FM)
1/2 packet of dry ranch mix
1 tbsp taco season
1 sm onion diced

in a saucepan on the stove:
brown 1lb ground turkey
add 2 cloves crushed garlic and saute until meat is fully cooked.

add meat/garlic to the beans. add crushed chili flakes and chili poweder if using. Cook on a simmer for 2-3 hrs.

best served with cheddar, sour cream and tortilla chips. also great served over a baked potato with cheese, sour cream and chives.

another tip: add finely shredded carrots and/or zucchini and wheat germ for added nutritional value.

homemade bbq sauce

super quick, easy and ready in less than 10min. using on-hand ingredients, a smoother, mellower sauce than your cheap store bought brand.

1/2 C ketchup
2 tbsp brown sugar
2 tbsp worchestershire
1 tbsp cider vinegar
1 tsp honey
1 tsp yellow mustard
1 clove garlic, minced
pinch of cayanne pepper, to taste

add all ingredients to a sauce pan and cook over med heat until saucy. yum on pulled pork sandwiches, burgers, or grilled chicken...just to name a few.

5-minute cake

i learned about this concept at church and after finding the recipe, tweaked it to my own liking (reducing sugar and subbing some applesauce for oil). cures your gooey chocolate needs. using a large mug allows ample space for the near-required scoop of ice cream on top. careful, they are too easy to make.

1 Coffee Mug
4 Tbsp Flour
3 Tbsp Sugar
2 Tbsp Baking Cocoa
1/8 tsp Baking Power
3 Tbsp Water
2 Tbsp Oil
1 Tbsp apple sauce
A Pinch of Salt
Splash of vanilla
1 Tbsp milk choc chips
1-2 Tbsp chopped walnuts (optional)

add dry ingredients to a micro-safe mug, combine. add wet ingredients and mix well. add vanilla, chips (and nuts if using), mix well. micro on high for 2 minutes. let cool and eat out of the mug. top with ice cream or whipped cream for more delight.

vegetable soup

the perfect cold weather pick me up. light, clean and surprisingly filling. easy to make with any variation of veggies you have on hand.

8 C water
3 boullion cubes
4 med potatoes, diced
1 can diced tomatoes
3 cloves garlic, crushed
1/4 C shredded zucchini
1 onion
4 carrots
2 tbsp butter
frozen 3 pepper medley
1 can green beans
3 tbsp rice
black pepper
garlic salt
2 tbsp sugar
1 tsp corriander
1/2 tsp thyme
parmesan cheese

add boullion to water, boil until dissolved. Add potato, can of tomato, zucchini and garlic. meanwhile, melt butter in a pan over med heat, add onion and carrot until just tender and aromatic. add frozen peppers and saute until thawed and soft. add fresh ground black pepper and garlic salt to taste.

add cooked veggies, seasoning (as desired) and simmer over med heat. add can of green beans and rice and cook approx 15min before serving.

serve with fresh grated parmesan cheese and crusty bread.

Cola Pulled Pork

this couldn't be easier and super crowd pleaser.

pork loin (2-3lbs) or pork blade roast
1 can of cola
1 onion
2 cloves garlic, minced
pepper

add all ingredients to a crock and set for 6 hrs.

at the 5hr mark, drain liquid from meat and add:

1 bottle of Sweet Baby Ray's bbq sauce

heat another 30min and serve on rolls with coleslaw.

(great the following day in pitas with cilantro, tomato and avocado too!)

chinese bbq pork

who doesn't love this stuff? who doesn't feel guilty taking the last piece at a party? this recipe allows you to eat it until hearts content...maybe even share some. it may seem a process to make but it is quite simple and will yield pleasurable results for all your hard work.

Step 1 - Marinade
Combine the following and marinate your meat in a gallon ziplock in the fridge for 12-48 hours.

1/4 C brown sugar
1/2 tsp salt
2 Tbsp Hoisin sauce
3/4 tsp chinese 5-spice
1 clove garlic, minced
1 tsp fresh ginger, grated
1/2 C white wine
2 Tbsp soy sauce
5-6 drops red food coloring (optional)
2 1/2lb pork loin, cut into 2x2x7in strips

Step 2 - BBQ
(I use a Weber charcoal grill & charcoal chimney)
Prepare coals until very hot & ready - approx 20min. Divide coals to each side of the grill. Set meat on rack, down the center of the grill, but not directly over any of the coals. Close the lid and allow coals to burn out - approx 1hr. Turn meat ONCE (lifting lid only once) at the 30min mark. At this time, I also close all grill vents.

After meat has slow-cooked for a total of 1 hour, remove from grill and let chill in the fridge.

Step 3 - Eat
Serve with hot chinese mustard, ketchup and sesame seeds.