Oh it's that lovely time of year when it's so freaking cold outside that all you want to do is stay inside getting warm and eating all sorts of naughty foods. it's also the time when you think about fresh starts and losing weight because it's on your New years resolution list. (not that I have one, because I DON't but if I did, I would think about that) but here in lovely Michigan the 'winter coating" is always a constant conflict in my world..... Strapping on the feed bag while trying to watch what I eat at the same time. gosh it's EXHAUSTING! seriously it's hard, even the squirrels are all plump right now....c'MON!
SO on that note, since it's about 24 degrees outside, I thought today would be a good day to talk about FOOD and what I am whipping up today for my family.
This time of year I rely on my crock pot. such a useful tool really, especially when all we seem to do these days is run run run. it's nice to know that you have something hot and ready for you when you come home with very little effort and prep.
so without further adieu here is my easy peasy POT ROAST recipe.
(taken with the FREE instagram app) love it!
(taken with the hipstamatic app...not free, but SO worth $1.99) :)
all you need are these simple ingredients
1.) the meat of course, I buy meat that literally say's 'Pot roast' on the package less thinking on my part that way ;)
2.) Montreal steak seasoning
(why does my HAND look like a piece of raw meat? yuck!)
3.)fresh cloves of garlic 3-4 cloves minced in a press
4.) 1 small pkg. of new potatoes, fingerling potatoes, or 3-4 yukon gold potatoes cut into chunks.
5.) celery 3-5 stalks diced
6.) carrots 1 small bag
7.) one large onion sliced.
8.) 1/4 cup of flour
9.) 1-1/2 cup vegetable broth or water
Now I will say that starting off my day at 8 A.M. handling raw meat is kind of un-appetizing, but hey, it's totally worth it, trust me!
I start with chopping up all of the vegetables and toss them into the pot.
then I take the meat and coat it with the flour on all sides.
heat up a pan with about 2 tbsp. of Olive oil and sizzle up the garlic, (use LOTS of garlic!)I turn this on about med-hi heat, add the meat and sear on all sides.
add the meat now to your crock pot on top of your vegetables and sprinkle the montreal seasoning generously all over! add about a 1-1/2 cups of liquid, cover and cook on low for 8-10 hours!
that's ALL!! dinner made in less than 15 minutes!
serve with a salad and warm crusty rolls when you get home and you have yourself a nice quick hearty meal!
Now don't go worrying about it either because it's not too fattening, plus it's winter and everyone else is roly-poly too! (skip the roll if you're like me, that'll make you feel better) :)
SO eat up, stay warm, we have all summer to eat salads and fruit... be like me and take your cue from the squirrels, plump is of kind cute in the winter right? ;)
(i'm off to exercise class tonight) hee heee
XOXOXO