Pot Roast

My mom made the best pot roast and it was always such yummy comfort food for me. I was in the mood for my mom's comfort food this week so I decided pot roast was in order. Plus, it always helps when the roast happened to be on sale at my favorite grocery store Publix (shout out for my husband) :)

Pot Roast

Yummy Flavorful Comfort Food

1 2-lb bottom round roast
5 carrots
3 celery
1/2 onion
4 cloves fresh garlic
5 potatoes
1 packet of onion soup
salt
pepper
garlic powder
oregano
basil
parsley

1. If cooking in the oven; preheat to 350 degrees
2. Quarter potatoes and chop carrots, celery and onion
3. Wash roast and place in baking dish or crock pot
4. Cut 4 slits (2 on each side) in the roast. Place garlic cloves in the slits
5. Season very generously both sides of the roast with salt, pepper, garlic powder, oregano, basil and parsley
6. Place quartered potatoes and chopped carrots, celery, and onion around the roast
7. Place 1 packet of onion soup in a measuring cup and add 4 cups of warm water. Pour over everything and add more water if necessary to cover 3/4 of the roast and all the potatoes are submerged
8. Sprinkle all the previous seasonings on everything and gently stir
9. If cooking in the oven place lid on pan or cover tightly with foil for approx. 3 hours (time will depend on the size of the roast) and you have reached the appropriate internal temperature and vegetables are tender when poked
10. If cooking in the crock pot cover with the lid and cook on low for approx. 8 hours or on high for 4 hours. Again, the time will vary depending on the size of your roast. Ensure the roast has reached the appropriate internal temperature and vegetables are tender when poked.

Recipe from my Mom

Goulash

Please forgive me in the delay of posting new recipes. My 4 year old niece stayed with my husband and I this past week and we kept very busy having loads of fun with her. Also, today I started a new job so please bear with me in the days to come as I adjust to my new schedule. Okay, so on to this yummy recipe. This recipe is so yummy and  easy to make. It is wonderful for a delicious weeknight meal.

Goulash

Delicious Weeknight Meal

1/4 green pepper
1/4 onion
1 clove minced garlic
10-12 baby carrots or 3-5 regular carrots 
1 1/4 pound ground chuck
1 29-ounce tomato sauce
1 29-ounce can of water
1 14.5-ounce diced tomatoes
salt
pepper
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon onion powder
1 tablespoon parsley
1 8.5-ounce canned sweet peas or 1/4 bag frozen peas
1 lb elbow or seashell pasta (I used 1/2-3/4 box of elbow pasta)
oil; if desired
shredded cheese; if desired

1. In a large saucepan sautee pepper, onion, carrots and minced garlic in water or oil until lightly brown
2. Add ground chuck and brown until no longer pink
3. Add sauce, water, diced tomatoes and seasonings
4. Cook on low 1 hour. Add peas at 40 minute mark
5. Cook pasta separately according to package directions
6. Serve goulash and pasta mixed together and garnish with shredded cheese (if desired)

Recipe from my Mom

Comfort Food

My mom's chili is one of those foods that brings comfort to me. This recipe is always such a wonderful added touch to a cold night in the fall or winter. Chili also freezes perfectly for a quick delicious meal at a later time. My mom taught me to cook by estimation or "eye balling" it. This is one of those recipes that I cannot give exact measurements because I myself don't even know the exact measurements. Depending on the size of your pot will depend on the amount of ingredients you add. The next time I make this recipe I will try to jot down more exact measurements. For now, here is a list of the ingredients, approx. measurements, and steps on how to prepare it. Also, I taste the chili as it is cooking to see if I feel it is in need of added ingredients.

Crock Pot Chili*

Delicious comfort food

1 lb ground beef (or if you prefer turkey or chicken)
Beef cubes for stew
onion (approx. 1/2-1 whole onion)
minced garlic (approx. 2-4 cloves)
green pepper (approx. 1/2-1 whole green pepper)
chili beans (approx. 2-4 15 ounce cans)
flavored diced tomatoes (approx. 2-4 14.5 ounce cans)
chili powder** (approx. 1-3 tablespoon or more)
cumin** (approx. 1/2-1 1/2 tablespoon or less)
salt
pepper
water (approx. 1/2 cup or more or less depending on desired consistency)

Garnish:
Shredded cheese
Sour Cream
Chopped scallions
Tortilla chips

1. Brown ground beef (or desired meat), beef cubes, onion, minced garlic, and green pepper in oil or water
2. Once brown, drain (if used oil to cut back on fat) and add to crock pot
3. Add to the meat in the crock pot chili beans and flavored diced tomatoes
4. Season with chili powder, cumin, salt and pepper
5. Add water to reach desired consistency (approx. 1/2 cup)
6. Cook on low for approx. 8 hours or on high for approx. 4 hours  
7. Garnish with shredded cheese, sour cream, chopped scallions, tortilla chips or any other desired topping

* Chili can also be made on the stove top in a large pot over low heat for several hours. Keep in mind the longer you allow it to cook on low the more flavor it will have.
**Cumin is another one of those ingredients that is very strong and flavorful. I prefer to double the chili powder and 1/2 the cumin.

Recipe from my Mom