Tag: dinner

Delicious Roast Dinner Perfect for Cold Weather

Posted on by Kitty

Nothing is quite as delicious as biting into a delectable, tender roast on a cold day. It’s been a tradition in my family to prepare beef roast when temperatures drop, and it’s a good one! If any meat or vegetables are leftover, I just use them for stew. My grandma taught me that. Although the cost of some roasts may seem high at first, they are actually very economical. Luckily there are several to choose from in both price and flavor. My preference is for the rump or bottom round cut because of its texture and taste.

When selecting a cut to be roasted, it’s always a good idea to pick one with some fat. The fat imparts tons of flavor while cooking, and it can be taken off later after cooling or deglazing. Another important factor to look for is height of the cut. Make sure that it can fit inside a pan comfortably with the lid on tight. Vegetables for the meal can be picked on preference, but I personally enjoy carrots and onions. Potatoes are always welcome, too. This time, I added some cabbage to see what it was like. Anything that can fit will get bathed in roast flavor.

Planning ahead is a good idea for this recipe. Big hunks of meat take time to cook thoroughly, making this meal great to start in the morning to have by lunch. It also makes a great weekend dinner. I use Lipton beefy onion soup mix to add more to the meal, but any seasoning and beef-based broth are good. My family always used Lipton, so I grew accustomed to the taste. Now the soup mix contains no MSG, making it healthier than it was.

Roast Roast

Beef Roast

1-2 Tbsp. Vegetable Oil
1 Lipton Beefy Onion Soup Mix Package
Roast That Fits Pan
~ 2 Cups Water or Wine
Vegetables (Carrots, Onions, Cabbage)
Potatoes
Extra Seasoning for Veggies (optional)

Start by putting oil in the pan and heating it. Add the meat and brown all sides as best you can. After browning, add water or wine to deglaze the pan. Pour the soup mix on top of the meat so that it is coated. Allow the liquid to come to a low boil with the lid on, then turn the temperature down so that it stays simmering. Cooking time will vary depending on the size of the cut. Typically, I cook almost a 2-pound roast for about three hours before adding vegetables. Vegetables usually take about an hour if left to simmer constantly. So, the meat will cook four hours. The best way to tell if everything is done is by checking tenderness with a fork. The meat should fall off, and the vegetables should be soft. Potatoes take longer, depending on their size. So it may be good to put them in a bit before the vegetables by about thirty minutes. Season vegetables and potatoes to taste.

Roast AdditionsRoast

Beef Roast

Easy and Delicious Chili Recipe That’s Quick to Make

Posted on by Kitty

This recipe for chili is simple, delicious, and healthy all in one. It requires only a few, affordable ingredients to make. In the past, I made it with canned tomatoes. Unfortunately, most of my experiences with different brands have been bad. Once I had a can that looked fine on the outside, but the tomatoes were coated in black mold. So now I buy tomatoes fresh because I can see what I am purchasing and because they taste so much better.

Fresh Tomatoes for Chili

Something that makes this chili unique is bison. About a year ago, I was looking at ground meats and noticed my local store started carrying bison. It’s a delicious lean meat that is just a little bit more expensive than ground white turkey. Sometimes I prefer it to turkey because it has more flavor and is more akin to beef in taste. Personally, I cannot handle any spiciness, so there is not any added in this recipe. If heat is desired, there are spicier seasoning packets available than original. Also, jalapenos can be added to the chili during simmering or when serving for extra heat.

Chili Recipe

2 Small Onions or 1 Large
4 or 5 Cloves of Garlic
3 Large, Ripe Tomatoes
1 lb. Ground Bison (or meat of choosing)
1 Chili Original Seasoning Packet
1 Can of Pinto Beans, Drained (optional)
Seasoning Salt, Oregano, Chili Powder, Fresh Peppercorns (optional)

Take the bison out of the refrigerator and put it in a skillet before starting preparation, so that it will cook more thoroughly. After doing that, take the onion and dice it into whatever size is desirable and add it to the pan with the meat. Then take the garlic and mince it and add it to the pan as well. Now, peel and dice the tomatoes and set them aside for later. Start browning the meat and vegetables on medium heat, stirring occasionally until the meat is thoroughly cooked. After the meat is done, add the seasoning packet and stir. Then take the tomatoes and incorporate them into the mix. At this point, beans or jalapenos could be combined with the chili. I usually add a little bit more seasoning than the packet because I enjoy lots of flavor. Seasoning salt, oregano, chili powder, and freshly cracked black pepper help stretch the seasoning packet and make the chili more delicious. Plus, these are nice seasonings to have on hand.  After adding everything desired into the chili, let it simmer for at least 10 minutes before eating to allow the flavors to mingle. Serve with sour cream, Frito’s, jalapenos, cheese, or guacamole.