Friday, March 1, 2013

HOW TO MAKE A POT ROAST

 
HOW TO MAKE A POT ROAST

This is a complete step-by-step video on how to make a pot roast.  I used a chuck roast, but this method stands for any cut of meat whether it be beef or pork.

Except, when I use pork, I sometimes use chicken bouillon; or, if I want it to taste a little smoky, I will use ham bouillon.

Ingredients:
1     2-3 Pound Chuck Roast
Seasoned Salt
Pepper
Granulated Garlic
Sea or Kosher Salt
1/3 Cup Olive Oil
1 Heaping Tablespoon of Coconut Oil
2 Quarts Water  
1/3 Cup Beef Bouillon
1/4 Cup Kitchen Bouquet (Optional)
1 to 2 Large Onions - Cut into large sections
1 to 2 Carrots per person
1/3 Head of Cabbage per person - or the entire head if you want left-overs
1 to 2 Red Potatoes per person

To Thicken Gravy:
3 Tablespoons of Corn Starch
3 Tablespoons of Water 

Season meat and brown in a skillet with the hot oil mixture on all sides.
Remove the meat and place into 8 quart pot.
Add onion, bouillon, Kitchen Bouquet.
Cover and simmer 1.5 hours.
Clean potatoes, carrots and cabbage and add to the pot.
Cook another 45 minutes to one hour. 
Remove all vegetables, meat and cooked onions.
Bring broth to a boil and add the cornstarch and water mixture making your gravy.
Serve.
Feeds four.

    
    


Friday, February 22, 2013

AU JUS FOR STANDING RIB ROAST (PRIME RIB)



Smoked Prime Rib Roast
I always use a bone in roast.  Cook to Medium Rare (about 130-135F internal degrees)

Why?  Because I like to make Au Jus and you need the bone for that.

After cooking your meat to medium rare, cut the bones off (leaving a small amount of meat on the bones).  These bones are what they sell in the store (beef ribs).  Usually reasonably priced.\\

Place your bones in a large sauce pan or cast-iron skillet and cover with water about 2 quarts.

Add

2 Medium Onions (Cut in half and then in half again = quartered)
3 Carrots - Wash, cut off the top; but, do not peel.
3 Stalks of Celery (leaves and all)
3 Large Bay Leaves
2 Cloves of Garlic - Minced
1/4 Cup Beef Bouillon

Let simmer for two hours - adding water as it evaporates.

Cooking your meat to medium rare will serve the purposes for those who like their meat from medium rare to well-done.

This AuJus can be used to slice off your medium rare meat and simmer your slice for less than one minute to take the red off of the meat and serve immediately to the "well-done" eater.   The AuJus will remove the red and yet, it will remain tender and juicy because it isn't over cooked to well-done - it just looks that way.

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Do you know how to smoke meat?  I can teach you.  Do you want to learn?  I have a smoked meat DVD that I sell for $7 (includes shipping). 

Monday, February 18, 2013

Mardi Gras Gumbo



This isn't smoked or grilled foods; but it is Mardi Gras time with a lot of wonderful Cajun food and good music yet to be heard this weekend.  One of my absolute favorite dishes to make this time of year is Gumbo.  There are many variations of this Cajun delight.  I usually make it ahead of time and have it ready for when I get home.  I really hope you enjoy this recipe; I enjoy sharing it with you - Pure comfort food!! :) 

Listed in the order of use - Ingredients:
1    Large roasting chicken
6    Quarts water
1/4 Cup chicken bouillon
4    Bay leaves

3    Tablespoons of Olive Oil
1/2 Stick of butter
1    Stalk coarsely chopped celery
2    Large onions, coarsely chopped
1    Large green bell pepper, coarsely chopped
2    Cloves garlic, minced
1    Teaspoon of Salt
1/2 Teaspoon of pepper

1/2 Teaspoon dried thyme leaves
2    Tablespoons of Cajun seasonings (of your choice)
2    Cans stewed tomatoes
2    Pounds andouille sausage, sliced
2-3 Pounds medium/large shrimp - peeled and d-veined
1    Pound lump crab meat
2    Tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1/2 Stick of butter
2    (10 ounce) Packages frozen cut okra, thawed
2    Tablespoons distilled white vinegar

1/2 Stick of butter
1/2 Cup all purpose flour

2    Teaspoons gumbo file powder

Rinse your chicken and remove gizzard bag from inside (you won't need the gizzards - unless you want to add to your gumbo).  Put your chick into a large soup/stock pot with the water, chicken bouillon and bay leaves to a boil in a large.  Once it begins to boil - bring to a simmer for 1.5 hours.  Remove the chicken and set aside.  

During the 1.5 hour wait time while the chicken is cooking. Take your vegetables (celery, onion, garlic, green pepper - not the okra) and saute' in 3 T. of  olive oil and 1/2 stick of butter with salt and pepper until tender and add all to your water along with the thyme, stewed tomatoes, cajun seasonings, crabmeat, shrimp, andouille sausage and worchestershire sauce and simmer the soup over low heat for about 30-45 minutes.

While this is cooking - d-bone your chicken and set the meat aside.

Meanwhile, melt 1/2 stick of butter in a skillet, and cook the okra with vinegar over medium heat for 15 minutes; remove okra with slotted spoon, and stir into the simmering gumbo - simmer another 30 minutes. 

Lastly, in the same pan as you cooked the okra, add the second 1/2 stick of butter and melt...Add the 1/2 cup of flour and mix well to make a Roux - keep on low heat and whisking constantly until it turns a rich brown color (don't burn it).  Once it is a rich color, take a cup of broth from your Gumbo and add to the roux whisking - as it thickens, add another cup of broth until you get a nice creamy consistency - add the contents of this pan to your stock pot.  Add your chicken and mix well.

Just before serving, stir in 2 teaspoons of file gumbo powder.

Approximate cooking time:  3 hours

I hope you enjoy this Gumbo.  I know I will be making mine.  Serve with your favorite hot sauce for extra zing!!

 

Bursting Baked Beans

 
These beans are bursting with flavor.

I was making fancy baked beans 15 years ago; before you could buy them in a can that way.  Experimenting with flavors is something I want to teach you; not to be afraid to try it. I've had enough bad food in my day that if you actually mess up (just don't claim the dish at a party).



In a 2 Quart Saucepan:
1/2 Medium Onion - chopped fine (not minced)
1/2  Green Onion - minced (or even put in a food processor so people can't see it) *
2 Tablespoons of Olive Oil
Saute' on low heat until soft

In a frying pan:
Fry four pieces of pork bacon or turkey bacon
If you are frying turkey bacon, I always use a little olive oil in the pan to help it along (I like mine extra crispy)
After crispy - set aside

Back to the beans....
In the saucepan that you just cooked the onions and green peppers, add:
1 - 30 Ounce Can Pinto Beans
1 Small Can Black Beans (Rinsed)
1 Small Can Dark Red Kidney Beans (Rinsed)
1 Cup of your Favorite BBQ Sauce
1 Tablespoon of Prepared Mustard 
1/3 Cup Ketchup
1/2 Cup Brown Sugar
1 Tablespoon of Cumin
2 Tablespoons of Chili Powder
1/2 Teaspoon of Black Pepper
1 Teaspoon of Salt
1/2 Teaspoon of Seasoned Salt
1/2 Teaspoon of Granulated Garlic

Crumble the bacon into the pot - stir well and cook for one hour.  If you want to, you can spray a small casserole dish with cooking spray - pour in the beans and bake in the oven on 350 degrees for one hour. 

*Whenever I use green peppers and I know that my guests say they don't like green peppers, I put them in a food processor and pulverize them.  Then, you can't see them.  Out of sight, out of mind.

My mom and dad used to entertain a couple that the wife despised onions.  Well, we put onions into just about everything.  This is the trick he taught me.  Nope....she never knew !!

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