Feeding the Family when you're TOO POOPED TO POP!

badboob67 ~

This really simple recipe for French Dip sandwiches has saved me many times!

One large package of chuk roast or round steak (chuck has more flavor), one can of beer, one package of powdered aus jus mix, one half package of Lipton onion soup mix, one can of beef broth and enough water to cover the meat. You can first brown the meat (or not) then add the meat and all other ingredients to the stock pot and cook overnight or longer until tender. It can be made in a roasting pan in the oven @ 300 degrees and cooks approx 3 hours or until fork tender.

This and a few deli salads makes a meal that my whole family loves!

Nico

Here is another chicken pot pie that you can use your leftover chicken/turkey, and doesn't need to be white meat either. After Thanksgiving, I cut up the leftover turkey and put it in freezer bags in 1 cup increments so all I had to do was take it out and thaw (microwave on low) until I could break up the pieces and throw it all in the dish, 10 minute prep 30 minute baking time and supper.

1 can veg-all mixed vegetables drained or 2 cups frozen mixed vegetables thawed

1 cup cooked chicken or turkey cut in pieces

1 can cream of chicken, mushroom, or celery soup undiluted

1 cup Bisquick baking mix or self rising flour

1/2 cup milk

1 egg

(if using self rising flour 2 T melted butter)

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In 8 or 9 inch square baking dish lightly greased, mix vegetables, chicken and soup and spread out evenly in pan. In a small bowl mix remaining ingredients until blended. Spoon evenly over vegetables and chicken. bake about 30 minutes or until crust is golden brown

Jdub, the secret to tender pot roast, no matter what cut of meat you use, is to cook it slowly at low heat, making it the perfect crock-pot dish.  If the liquid is boiling, the heat is too high.   

If you cook the roast in the crockpot, I've found it helps to sear it in olive oil on both sides first to seal in the flavor and juices.  I just put olive oil in a skillet enough to cover the bottom of the pan and when it gets hot, put the roast in a few minutes on each side to lightly brown it, then put it into the crockpot for the rest.

Yep, I sear it with olive oil then I put slices of garlic into slits in the roast ... crock pot with a bit of water, always put your veggies on the bottom, not the meat, then put the meat on top and surround the meat with veggies -- potatoes, carrots, celery stalks, onions ...  after it's all cooked, I use the liquid to make the gravy with ...

I just use the packet and instead of water, I use the left over liquid ...  gotta have good brown gravy!

Heres another that is really easy....

2-3 lbs cubed beef (I use cheap round steak or roast)

 1/2 c. flour

1/4 c. butter

1 med onion, sliced

1 tsp. salt

1/8 tsp. pepper

1 glove garlic, minced

2 c. beer

1/4 c. flour

 Coat beef cubes with the ½ cup flour. Brown in melted butter. Drain off excess fat. In crock pot, combine browned meat with onion, salt, pepper, garlic and beer. Cover and cook on low 5 - 7 hours (or all day) until meat is tender. Turn crock pot to high. Dissolve remaining ¼ cup flour in small amount of water. Stir into meat mixture, cook on high 30-40 minutes.

Serve with rice and salad for a complete meal.

Ok, lets try that again.....I tried to edit the link, didnt work, so deleted the entire thing...

Someone sent me this recipe site and all the ones I have tried work well...

http://www.50plusfriends.com/cookbook/crockpot/index-5b.html

I haven't tried any of these recipes yet .. but spent hours looking through this blog - lots of very creative ideas and amazing use of a crockpot - thought I'd share this since there are so many posters on this thread cooking with their crockpots.

http://crockpot365.blogspot.com/ 

Cowgirl shared this link on her blog  - the author has been on one of Rachel Ray's shows.  

Hope you enjoy and get inspired by the recipes at this blog! 

Doreen 

Okay ~ I am home from the hospital.  Had to get my pre-surgery bloodwork done.  I am now ready to start the infamous pot raost.  Even bought the olive oil as suggested to sear it first!  I am taking this serious!

Hopefully I will have a nice table of full bellies tonight.  Nothing worse than everyone being hungry anfter you really try at a new recipe.

Thanks for all the helpful tips.  I took a little of everyone's tips and hopefully between all of them my roast will be awesome!

JersyMaria-Yes you can sub something else for the beer....Ive also used pork instead of beef and it seemed to work well.

Diane-maybe I will try that pizza thing tonight....it sure sounds good.

Hey Diane

Barilla makes an Oven Ready-No Boil lasagna noodle.  They're great! Has a recipe for using them on the back of the box. 

Amy

hot soup in bread bowls is a wonderful comfy food for a snowy day's dinner (and its so easy!)

This is very easy and most teenage boys love them. Plus, the ingredients can be kept on hand ~

Meatball Subs

Frozen bagged meatballs + a couple of jars or cans of pizza sauce.

Simmer together for 30 minutes and serve on hoagie rolls.  You can put provolone cheese slices on the open roll before you put in the meatballs if you like. Or top with shredded cheese.

You can put any leftover sauce in a little cup to dip the subs in like a French Dip.

I usually bake steak fries while the meatball/pizza sauce mixture is cooking on the stove.

All in all, a winner with most guys and you can kick it up a notch with hot sauce.

What about good value frozen meals ....... if you get a coupon some of the lasagne's are a great deal!!  And they can feed an army!!! 

I wonder......hmmm ...  wouldn't it be great if companies would give us coupons so we could deal with chemo and the chronic fatigue we are left with due to treatment?  I am not talking free handouts, just coupons to buy their merchandise.  I would love Stouffer's coupons and Lipton teas and foods (they have great packaged noodle dinners). 

We get ours at our local grocery that also has their own bakery.  They usually sell two to a bag.  We also have a french bakery (independent) that sells them. 

Amy