Guest Post: Weekly Meal Plan by Cousin Jessica, Wednesday & Thursday

Wednesday – “Finally together as a family” – Crockpot Pot Roast with carrots and potatoes

When Dexter heads to our house for his time with us, I try to have hearty, healthy kid friendly meals that can be ready quickly. Josh and I both have a long commute home and using the crockpot allows us to spend more time playing with legos vs cooking in the kitchen.

This recipe is a mix between what my mom told me, what my grandma suggested, and what I’ve found works for a long day in the crockpot. 

Ingredients:

·       A large roast – any kind – I’ve been using tri tip and it’s wonderful

·       1 can cream of mushroom soup (Amy’s organic is wonderful)

·       1 package Lipton onion soup

·       1 can roasted tomatoes – whole or diced, with liquid

·       6-10 red potatoes (washed) depending on your family size

·       6 – 10 pealed whole carrots

·       1 onion – cut into chunks

How to build:

·       Potatoes on the bottom of your crock pot, followed by carrots

·       Place roast on top

·       Lipton soup – sprinkle throughout

·       Cream of mushroom – on top

·       Can of roasted tomatoes

·       Stuff the onion chunks into any nooks and crannies

·       Set crock pot for 8 hours on low

Tips for a busy family:

·       Build the night before and place in the fridge

·       Freeze your roast, let it thaw a bit in the crock pot overnight – adjust cooking time to 10 -12 hours depending on how long you are out of the house during the day

·       Buy a crockpot with a timer and a warmer – this way you can set for 8 hours and keep on “warm” until you get home

Serve:

·       The roast will be very tender, use tools to remove from the crock pot and place on a cutting board to slice

·       Scoop out potatoes and carrots and some onions if you desire

·       I don’t love gravy, so I don’t make it . . . but you can use the juices to make a gravy if you like! Strain, add a roux and I’m sure it’s delicious!

·       We eat ours with sour cream and BBQ sauce because we love sauces J

Thursday: “It’s time for leftovers” – Eat up!

Suggestions for serving:

·       Grain bowl:

o   Use leftover veggies, add some cheese and stuff in a tortilla for a hearty burrito

o   Add another egg and eat up just like before!

·       Stuffing:

o   Serve up with some cheese and crackers

o   Add an egg and eat up!

·       Pot Roast:

o   Pot roast heats up great as is – throw in the microwave and serve

o   Pull roast apart, add some bbq sauce, heat up and make sandwiches

o   Potatoes – these potatoes make great potato pancakes! Smash them up, add some onions and spices, and fry! You can also smash in the carrots for some extra flavor. Serve with sour cream and apple sauce

·       Mix and match!

o   Mix any combo of the above together, add some scrambled eggs and bacon – makes great hash!